Comparing South Dakota’s Land-Based Casinos with Online Gambling Options

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A veritable gambling haven, South Dakota boasts over 40 land-based casinos and its casino industry has strong legal backing. While the residents are active in online sports betting, the legal framework of SD completely shuns online casinos. However, this does not prohibit South Dakota-based players from exploring offshore online casinos

The Birth of Casinos in South Dakota

From the inception of South Dakota, gambling has been a mainstay, especially in the popular town of Deadwood. The state which was once seen as part of the notorious Wild West during the latter part of the 1800s already had saloons offering wagering games such as faro and poker.

However, 1889 dawned with bad news for gamblers and saloon operators in SD as the rise of anti-gambling sentiments and temperance movements led to the ban on gambling. The ban notwithstanding the early part of the 20th century witnessed a persistence in gambling activities but under the cover of “social games,”

The tide changed in 1987 with the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that permitted the operation of casinos and gaming activities by Native American tribes who were mandated to sign binding agreements with the state. Non-Native American entities like the Indians were also permitted by law to operate limited forms of gambling. At this stage, gambling activities were revitalized as the news outlets began spreading the latest information about 'South Dakota casinos

South Dakota’s Land-Based Casinos

The number of SD’s land-based casinos which is said to be above 40 is higher than what is obtainable in several other American states despite its smaller land mass. Thanks to the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,  many of the top land-based casinos in the United States came into existence in South Dakota,

The Flandreau-based Royal River Casino & Hotel is a premium wagering house where gamers go to relax and indulge in gameplay. In the famous town of Deadwood sits the elite resort and casino called, Deadwood Mountain Grand. What about the notable Watertown entertainment and gaming complex, Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel, and a mention must be made of the gambling hotspot, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort in Deadwood. All these are premium land-based casinos in South Dakota that allow games such as poker, blackjack, and slots. Players at these brick-and-mortar casinos must be 21 years and above, but it is worth noting that SD operates a strict betting limit in the state. Even if bettors are above 21, they are not allowed to exceed $1,000 wager.

South Dakota Online Casinos: Are They Legal

South Dakota’s position on gambling activities is a mixed bag. While the country legalized a few forms of gambling, some are strictly prohibited while others didn’t receive any form of consideration at all.

It is common knowledge that online sports betting has the full backing of the SD government but online casinos have never been legalized by the state. While playing on the property of certain retail sportsbooks, they are permitted to offer their customers a mobile option that cannot be accessed from the comfort of their homes. These mobile options can only be used while the player remains on their property and is under geo-location monitoring.

Any form of online casino owned and operated within the confines of the state is considered illegal and the owner must face disciplinary actions from the authorities. However, the law is quite lenient about residents playing at offshore online casinos. Thus, citizens of South Dakota can still indulge in online gambling as long as the casino site is an offshore one and licensed elsewhere. These offshore online casinos offer a better and wider selection of casino games compared to land-based ones.

No State-Regulated Apps in South Dakota

Since South Dakota has yet to legalize the ownership and operation of online casinos for its residents, no state-regulated online apps exist in the entire state. However, the apps of offshore casinos fill these gaps for gambling enthusiasts in the state. With these sites, gamers can indulge in their offices, in the comfort of their homes, or play their favourite games on the go. At most of these offshore sites, downloading may not be necessary as many are configured for small screens. The steps are quite simple,

• Get your mobile device,
• Log in
• Then start playing in your browser

The quality of offshore mobile casinos is comparable to what you get on a PC. Playing at offshore casinos can be dicey, thus SD men and women playing casinos are advised to ensure that the sites they choose to play at are trustworthy. Many of them don’t even allow deposits and withdrawals to be made from a US bank account but are now accepting cryptocurrency as a form of deposit.

Conclusion

From what is perceivable, South Dakota does not seem to be making moves to legalize the ownership and operation of online casinos for its residents despite a robust land-based casino industry. A great majority of their brick-and-mortar casinos are located in Deadwood town and no move has been made to expand outside the city. Residents have high hopes that regulatory changes may happen anytime soon but this appears to be most unlikely. Offshore online casinos remain the only alternative for now.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.