Welcome to the exciting world of South Dakota sports betting! Online and in-person wagering are rapidly growing in popularity across the United States, and there are plenty of South Dakota sports fans eager to get in on the action.
Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or brand new to the industry, this guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of sports betting in the Mount Rushmore State. We’ll explore the legal landscape, best South Dakota sportsbooks, latest news, and everything else you’ll need to know to get started!
Is Sports Betting Legal in South Dakota?
South Dakota voters approved the Deadwood Sports Betting Legalization Amendment in November 2020, authorizing the state government to legalize in-person sports wagering at designated retail locations in the city of Deadwood, South Dakota. Today, retail sports betting is completely legal in South Dakota at casinos in Deadwood and at various tribal casinos located throughout the state.
In Deadwood, you can place bets at Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort, Gold Dust Casino, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, Dale’s Sportsbook Bar & Grill, BetBodega, BetKota at Midnight Star, and The Lodge at Deadwood. In addition, you can visit Dakota Connection Casino in Sisseton or Dakota Sioux Casino and Hotel in Watertown to wager on all your favorite sports and teams.
The legal betting age in South Dakota is 21 years old, and you will be able to bet on college, professional, and international sporting events. However, South Dakota law prohibits wagers on high school sports, minor league games, in-state college teams, in-state college sporting events, and individual college athletes (i.e., player props) regardless of which school they attend.
When Will Online Sports Betting Launch in South Dakota?
Although retail sportsbooks have been legal in South Dakota for several years now, mobile sports betting is not yet available. Online sports betting is technically authorized to take place on the premises at any licensed casino or retail location in Deadwood; however, digital sportsbooks have yet to launch within the Mount Rushmore State.
House Joint Resolution 5006 had recently sparked optimism among sports betting enthusiasts in South Dakota, as it intended to legalize online sports betting throughout the state as long as the mobile betting site was partnered with a licensed casino and had its servers located in Deadwood.
This resolution would have allowed South Dakotans to decide for themselves through a ballot referendum, but it was ultimately rejected by the House in a 41-28 vote in February 2023. As a result, it is currently unknown when mobile sports betting will launch in the state, but industry experts are estimating 2025 to be the earliest statewide online sportsbooks would be able to go live.
How Can I Bet on Sports in South Dakota
While online sports betting is not yet legal in South Dakota, there are still plenty of ways for sports betting enthusiasts throughout the state to indulge their passion and get in on all the excitement. A few of the different options currently available are listed and explained below.
Retail Sportsbooks
As previously mentioned, retail sports betting is completely legal in the Mount Rushmore State. Residents can visit BetKota at The Midnight Star, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, Gold Dust Casino & Hotel, and several other locations in Deadwood to make in-person wagers on a wide range of sports and leagues. In addition, bettors in Sioux Falls and other towns in the eastern half of South Dakota may opt to visit the Dakota Sioux Casino and Hotel in Watertown to place their bets.
Visit Neighboring States
In addition, South Dakotans have the option to visit nearby states, such as Wyoming and Iowa, where online sports betting has already launched. Both Iowa and Wyoming are remote registration states, meaning you can sign up for an account and get everything set up from home but will just need to take a quick trip across state lines in order to actually place your bets.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Another option is daily fantasy sports (DFS), which allows you to compete for your share of ginormous prize pools in a wide range of contests covering football, basketball, baseball, and many other sports. DFS sites are currently available statewide, as there is no explicit law permitting or banning them in the state of South Dakota. DraftKings, FanDuel, OwnersBox Fantasy, Underdog Fantasy, and ParlayPlay are all accessible in the state and great platforms to consider.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Lastly, you may choose to place your bets using offshore sportsbooks, which are online betting platforms that are located outside of the United States and are not subject to U.S. laws and regulations. However, this option should be approached with caution, as there are certain risks associated with offshore sportsbooks. These include the potential lack of regulatory oversight, limited consumer protection, and difficulties in resolving disputes or issues with payments.
What Are the Best South Dakota Sports Betting Sites?
Online sports betting has yet to launch in the Mount Rushmore state, but many of the top U.S. sportsbooks may look to enter the South Dakota market once it becomes available. Here are a few likely candidates:
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is a popular online sports betting platform that offers a wide range of betting options across various sports. It provides a user-friendly interface, allowing customers to easily navigate through the available markets and place their bets. With its reputation for reliability and extensive coverage of sporting events, BetMGM Sportsbook has gained a significant following among sports bettors.
It is also worth mentioning that BetMGM retail sports betting is available at Liv Hospitality’s Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Cadillac Jack’s in Deadwood, South Dakota. Although its mobile sportsbook is not yet available in the state, BetMGM is a likely candidate to enter the South Dakota market once online sports betting legislation is passed.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Another potential option for South Dakota sports bettors is BetRivers Sportsbook, which covers a wide range of betting markets and offers excellent customer service. Users are also likely to be impressed by the frequent promotional deals and bonus opportunities available to existing customers, including but not limited to daily odds boosts, parlay insurance, and referral bonuses.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet Sportsbook is a rapidly-growing online sports betting site known for its unique and innovative PointsBetting feature, which allows bettors to win or lose more based on the accuracy of their wagers. The platform also provides a user-friendly interface and often runs promotional offers and bonuses to enhance the betting experience for its customers. PointsBet launched in Iowa, South Dakota’s neighbor to the east, in November 2019 and is constantly entering new markets across the U.S.
SuperBook Sportsbook
SuperBook Sportsbook is a well-known and respected online betting platform that offers a comprehensive range of sports and betting options, catering to both casual bettors and experienced gamblers. With its user-friendly interface, competitive odds, and reliable customer service, SuperBook provides a seamless and enjoyable sports betting experience to all.
Where Can I Bet on Sports in South Dakota?
In addition to the retail sports betting locations found within the state, South Dakota residents will have the option to place online and in-person wagers in neighboring states. Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming have all legalized sports wagering in recent years and may offer a great opportunity to South Dakotans.
Iowa
Online and retail sports betting launched simultaneously in Iowa in August 2019. There was initially an in-person registration requirement for online bettors in the Hawkeye State, but this came to an end in 2021. Sioux Falls residents are just a quick drive away from sports betting freedom, as Iowa has access to nearly 20 mobile sportsbooks and offers retail sportsbooks in Sioux City, Jefferson, Waterloo, and several other cities across the state.
Montana
Retail sports betting became legal in Montana in May 2019, and the state began accepting in-person wagers in March 2020. Montana law allows all licensed lottery retailers to offer sports betting on their premises. As a result, there are well over 100 locations (restaurants, bars, convenience stores, etc.) you can visit to place bets on all your favorite sports and leagues.
North Dakota
North Dakota launched in-person sports wagering in December 2021, and bets can currently be placed at Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town, or Sky Dancer Casino & Resort in Belcourt. These may be appealing options for South Dakotans who live in the upper half of the state.
Wyoming
Online sports betting became completely legal in Wyoming in September 2021, and there are currently four mobile sportsbooks licensed and operating within the state: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars. Sports fans in Rapid City and other towns in western South Dakota can sign up and get everything set up in their home state before taking a short road trip over to Wyoming to place their bets.
How To Sign Up & Start Betting in South Dakota
Although South Dakota sports betting is only available in person at licensed casinos, it may be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the process you’ll need to use to sign up once online wagering becomes available. Here are the key steps you’ll need to take:
- Choose Your Sportsbook: Pick a South Dakota sports betting site that aligns with your personal preferences and unique betting needs. Market depth, customer service, and competitive odds are a few factors to consider when making your decision.
- Register for an Account: Begin the sign-up process. Enter all necessary personal information, choose a password, and agree to the site’s Terms & Conditions to finish registering for an account.
- Verify Your Information: Follow the specific instructions provided by your South Dakota sportsbook to complete the account verification process. You may need to upload a picture of your driver’s license, ID card, or passport to confirm your identity.
- Make a Deposit: Choose your preferred payment method (e.g., online banking, digital wallet, or debit/credit card) to make your first deposit and add funds to your online betting account.
- Claim Your Welcome Offer: Use a promo code or bonus code to claim your sportsbook’s generous welcome offer available to all first-time customers. You will typically receive bonus bets, first-bet insurance, deposit matches, or another exciting opportunity to help you get started.
- Start Placing Bets: Begin placing bets on all your favorite players, teams, and leagues. Good luck!
What Teams Can I Bet on in South Dakota?
South Dakota residents can place bets on a wide range of college, professional, and international sporting events. Discussed below are a few of the most popular sports teams in the Mount Rushmore State and how you’ll be able to place bets on them today.
University of South Dakota Coyotes
The South Dakota Coyotes are the various college athletic teams that represent the University of South Dakota. Based in Vermillion, the University of South Dakota Coyotes compete in the Summit League, except for the school’s football program which is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Unfortunately, you cannot bet on the Coyotes at any of the retail sports betting locations in South Dakota, but you can bet on out-of-state colleges.
University of South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are another popular in-state school, and they represent the University of South Dakota State in Brookings. Also competing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Jackrabbits have a very successful football program, having reached the FCS playoffs in 11 consecutive seasons and even managing to claim the 2022 national title.
You cannot currently bet on the Jackrabbits in the state of South Dakota. However, you do have the option to visit neighboring states (e.g., Iowa and Wyoming) to bet on all their games and those of other in-state schools.
Minnesota Vikings
The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is located near the border of South Dakota. As a result, the Vikings have a huge following across the Mount Rushmore State. You can bet on the Vikings all season long at The Midnight Star, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, Gold Dust Casino & Hotel, or any other licensed retail sportsbook throughout the state.
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While not directly based in South Dakota, they are the closest MLB team and have a significant fan base throughout the state. You can bet on all of the Twins’ games throughout the regular season and postseason in person at retail sportsbooks in South Dakota or online by visiting nearby states, such as Iowa or Wyoming.
Strategies & Tips for South Dakota Sports Bettors
Are you looking for a way to gain an advantage and increase your chances of success in your sports betting endeavors? Here are some tips and tricks to use:
- Do Your Research & Stay Informed: Doing thorough research and staying informed are crucial in sports betting. Make sure to gather data, analyze statistics, consider performance trends, and seek out relevant news to help you make strategic and well-informed bets.
- Avoid Emotional Betting: Do not allow emotions to influence your betting decisions. Instead, make objective assessments based on data and analysis rather than personal biases or fandom. Emotional betting can lead to poor choices and unnecessary losses.
- Follow Betting Trends & Line Movements: Keep an eye on betting trends and line movements to gauge the general sentiment among bettors. This information can be useful in understanding which way the market is leaning and potentially finding value in contrarian betting.
- Take Advantage of All Bonuses & Promotions: Claim all bonuses and promotional deals offered by your sportsbook. Odds boosts, parlay insurance, bonus bets, and other opportunities can be very valuable and help give you an advantage during your sports betting journey.
- Look for Value Bets: Value bets in sports betting occur when the odds offered by a sportsbook are higher than the actual probability of the outcome. Identifying value bets allows you to find opportunities with favorable odds, potentially resulting in higher returns. To find value bets, research, analyze odds, and compare them across sportsbooks to spot discrepancies.
- Shop for the Best Odds: Different sportsbooks may offer slightly different odds for the same event or betting market. Compare odds across multiple platforms to find the best possible deal. By shopping around, you can ensure that you are getting the most favorable odds available, maximizing your potential profits.
South Dakota Sports Betting FAQ
No, online sports betting is not currently legal in South Dakota. However, retail sports betting is offered at Deadwood casinos and various tribal casinos throughout the state.
The legal betting age in the state of South Dakota is 21 years old.
Yes, you can bet on college sports in South Dakota at any of the licensed retail locations across the state. However, wagers are prohibited on in-state college teams, in-state college sporting events, and individual college athletes (i.e., player props).
BetKota at The Midnight Star, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, and Gold Dust Casino & Hotel are a few of the best retail sportsbooks in Deadwood, South Dakota. In addition, Dakota Sioux Casino and Hotel offers in-person sports betting in Watertown and is a great option for sports bettors in the eastern half of the state.
There are no online or mobile sportsbooks currently available in the state of South Dakota. However, it is very possible that South Dakota will legalize digital sports betting in the upcoming years. BetMGM, PointsBet, SuperBook, and BetRivers Sportsbook are a few likely candidates to enter South Dakota once it becomes available.
