Lawmakers in South Dakota Advance Sports Betting Legislation to Governor for Consideration
Fortifying the Sports Betting Landscape: A Post-SB 44 Perspective
Legislation for sports betting gained momentum in 2021 as South Dakota became the pioneer, sending the SB 44 bill to Governor Kristi Noem. If signed, casinos in Deadwood would offer sports betting, with no digital wagering, betting on South Dakota colleges prohibited, and a tax rate of 9%. The state gaming commission would oversee the industry, and the permit fee for sports wagering services providers would be a budget-friendly $2,000. Revenues would fund historic Deadwood preservation.
Struggles and Triumphs Beyond South Dakota's Borders
South Dakota isn't alone in its quest for a robust sports betting landscape. Four states legalized sports betting through referendums last year, with South Dakota being the first to actualize a legislative framework. Nebraska, Maryland, and Louisiana are now following suit, each at different stages of their journeys.
Nebraska: A Dance Between Progress and Pause
Nebraska has allowed in-person sports betting at licensed racetrack casinos since May 2021, but mobile betting remains elusive. An amendment to legalize digital sports betting has been proposed but is currently stalled due to legislative opposition, with concerns over social risks like addiction looming large. Advocates are now contemplating a voter-initiated ballot proposal as an alternative avenue [1][2].
Maryland: A Story of Success Already Written
Maryland has been allowing online and retail sports betting since December 2020, following voter approval in November 2020 [4]. At this point, we haven't found recent updates on Maryland's legislative proceedings.
Louisiana: From Fantasy to Sports Betting
Louisiana has already established sports betting since October 2021, following the legalization of fantasy sports and sports betting in 2020. Voters approved sports betting in their parishes in 2020, and it was first implemented in retail settings before expanding to online betting [4]. We couldn't find specific updates on Louisiana's current legislative progress.
Wyoming: A Digital Betting Future?
Similar to our findings for Louisiana, we couldn't locate recent updates on Wyoming's sports betting legislation. Wyoming legalized and implemented both online and retail sports betting since September 2021 [4].
In summary, although South Dakota's SB 44 doesn't directly impact these states' legislative processes, they are each striving to solidify their sports betting landscapes, with some like Nebraska grappling with legislative challenges and others like Maryland and Louisiana already offering digital betting options. The chase for crafting an ideal sports betting framework is undoubtedly an evolving journey.
- The pursuits for a flourishing sports betting landscape extend beyond South Dakota's borders, with four states legalizing sports betting last year.
- In Nebraska, while in-person sports betting has been permitted since May 2021, a proposed amendment to legalize digital sports betting is currently stalled, creating a dilemma for advocates.
- Maryland has been facilitating both online and retail sports betting since December 2020, putting it ahead of other states in creating a comprehensive sports betting landscape.
- Louisiana, which already had established sports betting since October 2021, follows a similar trajectory, having first implemented retail sports betting before expanding to digital wagering.
