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South Dakota online casino players are curious whether they can play real money games in the state. We’ve dedicated this article to explaining what’s possible and what’s frowned upon in the SD gambling market. 

The landscape of online casino gaming in the United States varies from one state to the next. South Dakota has its own unique laws, which determine how and where you play your favorite casino games.

As you read on, we’ll provide legal and safe mediums for enjoying casino games in South Dakota

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Find the best sweepstakes sites and land-based casinos for legal gaming.
  • Learn how to declare your taxable gambling winnings in South Dakota.
  • Know the history of gambling in SD, beginning with Deadwood.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in South Dakota?

Without mixing words, real money online casinos are illegal in South Dakota. From our research, here are excerpts from the SD Codified Laws on online gambling:

  1. 22-25A-7: No person engaged in a gambling business may use the internet or an interactive computer service to bet or wager.
  2. 22-25A-8: No person may establish a location or site in this state from which to conduct a gambling business on or over the internet or an interactive computer service.

The laws prohibit South Dakota residents from betting or wagering on games online or creating avenues that allow such. So then what states allow online casino gambling in the US? You can check our guide to find out.

Fact: Violating 22-25A-7 or 22-25A-8 of South Carolina’s Codified Laws on Internet gambling is classified as a Class 6 felony for the first offense and Class 5 for a second or subsequent offense. 

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in South Dakota

With real money online casino South Dakota platforms, what are your alternatives? Well, you have legal sweepstakes gaming sites to play at. These casinos are allowed in SD since they don’t involve using real money.

Here’s our full list of the best US sweepstakes casinos so you know the leading platforms available in the country. But since you’re in South Dakota, we’ve outlined the top 5 you can sign up for in the state

Chanced Casino in South Dakota 

With this sweepstakes casino, you have access to no less than 500 casino games. It’s a higher count than other platforms offer. But besides games, Chanced Casino offers one of the best South Dakota online casino bonus offers. Once you sign up, 10,000 Gold Coins, 2 Sweeps Coins, and 20 free spins are all yours. 

You’ll enjoy the experience with games at Chanced Casino. The platform is highly optimized to fit any screen, so it doesn’t matter what your device is. 

→ One of the best titles to play is Money Jar 2 by Slotmill. As you spin the reels, you get many bonus features, including a Super Mode round. 

Ding Ding Ding in South Dakota  

Ding Ding Ding is a favorite for many South Dakota online casino fans for its rich game collection. As a player, you can play over 800 titles on the site. You can begin having fun right after creating your account with the 10,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins welcome bonus

It takes one visit to the casino to appreciate the Ding Ding Ding collection. Do you prefer slots, fish games, or Bingo? You don’t have to choose, as you can get them all with Ding Ding Ding!

Rise of Triton is currently one of the best options if you love slots. Developed by Betsoft, the game comes with attractive ocean treasure-themed symbols, which you can’t help but love.  

Fortune Coins in South Dakota 

Known for its diverse library, Fortune Coins is a popular sweepstakes casino all around the US. If you’re in SD, you can join the site and play 550+ games. A huge welcome package of 630,000 GCs and 1,000 FCs awaits once your account is active.

Interestingly, there are more free coins to claim every day. Fortune Coins Casino games range from slots to jackpots and fish titles. You’ll get nothing but quality since the games are from top providers. Plus, there are some exclusive in-house options.

→ Pragmatic Play’s Year of the Dragon King is one spending slot to play. The game stands out for its unique Chinese mythology theme and multipliers. 

Funzpoints in South Dakota 

Next on this list of the best South Dakota online casino sites is Funzpoints. Signing up with this platform gets you 1,000 Gold Coins and 2.50 Funzpoints instantly. With the coins in your account, all that’s left is to find your favorite games and start playing. 

Expect around 90 titles with Funzpoints Casino as an SD player. Indeed, the number isn’t high, but the platform emphasizes more on quality. The games you get are not the regular but exclusive options from niche software developers. 

→ A notable game at Funzpoints Casino is Voyage of the Vikings by 888 Gaming. From the description, you already know you’re going on a Norse adventure with this game. 

Hello Millions in South Dakota

Although coming fifth, you can’t sideline this platform since it offers an extensive selection of 700+ games. Additionally, it provides one of the best welcome bonuses with 15,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins. 

When you visit Hello Millions Casino, you can’t help but applaud the innovative comic-book-style design. Thanks to it, the site feels light and loads fast. So you can enjoy your favorite games without any lags. 

→ Check out Maya Sun Hold and Win by Booongo when you sign up with Hello Millions. The slot takes you back to the Aztec era, and the Hold and Win mechanic ups the thrill. 

Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in South Dakota

If you’re for fun and entertainment, you’ll appreciate our recommended SD online casino sweepstakes sites. However, if you want to gamble and win real money, you’ll have to drive down to a land-based casino.

To make things easy, we’ve pinpointed the best three land-based casinos in South Dakota below, with their addresses and best perks.

Buffalo Bodega Gaming Complex in Deadwood

The Buffalo Bodega promises full-time gaming with many slot machines. Most of the slots are retro, so you’ll love visiting this location if you’re after a classic experience. Notably, the complex is pretty large, and you get a restaurant, bars, and a stockade in addition to the casino.

They have my favorite gaming machines. I have won big here.

Scoop Kriegh, From Google Review
  • Address: 658 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 605-578-1162
  • Website: buffalobodega.com
  • Opening Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM (10 PM on Fridays/Saturdays)
  • Review on Google: 4.1/5

Dakota Connection Casino in Sisseton

You can enjoy real Vegas-style slots when you visit Dakota Connection Casino in South Dakota. The gambling establishment has over 190 slot machines, including classic and contemporary options. 

One aspect that makes this casino impressive is that the betting options are customizable. Moreover, some machines come with big jackpots.

Casino was on point. Games were up-to-date. Very clean environment! Fast friendly service!

Boss Lady, From Google Review
  • Address: 46102 SD-10, Sisseton, SD 57262, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 605-698-4273
  • Website: dakotaconnection.com
  • Opening Hours: 8 AM to 2 AM (4 AM on Thursday/Friday/Saturday)
  • Review on Google: 4.0/5

Lode Star Casino & Hotel in Fort Thompson

Lode Star Casino is a land-based casino that offers huge winning chances. The 200+ slots on the gaming floor are among the loosest in South Dakota. If you’re a fan of table games, you can gamble on blackjack and poker from Thursday to Sunday.

When you visit Lode Star Casino, you can access rewarding promotions. For instance, there’s $10,000 available in cash and free play prizes every weekend. Check out this player feedback for insights on what to expect from Lode Star:

My husband and I always enjoy dining at the casino. It’s calming and always fulfilling.

Melissa Cortez, From Google Review
  • Address: 1003 SD-47, Fort Thompson, SD 57339, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 605-245-6000
  • Website: lodestarcasino.com
  • Opening Hours: 7 AM to 2 AM (4 AM on Thursday/Friday/Saturday)
  • Review on Google: 3.9/5

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in South Dakota?

South Dakota has well-laid-out tax requirements if you win while gambling. If the winning is up to a certain amount, you’ll get Form W-2G from the casino to fill out and submit. Afterward, you still have to report your federal tax return with Form 1040 per IRS requirements. It’s important to note that SD doesn’t demand any state tax.

→ For more details, check the South Dakota Department of Revenue online website here.

Other Legal Gambling Activities in South Dakota

The situation may not be ideal for real money South Dakota online casino sites, but there are other options to gamble legally in the state. Already, we’ve mentioned the land-based locations where you play casino games and win cash.

Besides that, here are other permitted forms of gambling in the Mount Rushmore State: 

  • Horse Racing: You can place bets on live racing events held at Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre and Brown County Fairgrounds in Aberdeen, among other tracks. Also, SD permits simulcast wagering on national and international races. 
  • Retail Sports Betting: At tribal land-based casinos in South Dakota, you can legally bet on sports. Dakota Connection in Sisseton is an ideal location for this.  
  • Lottery: Like other places in the US, participating in SD State Lottery games is legal. The games include options like Powerball and Mega Millions plus video lottery. 
  • Bingo and Charitable Gaming: Many licensed and regulated charitable organizations in Deadwood host Bingo nights you can join. 

Fact: You must be up to 18 to wager at simulcast locations and live horse racing events.

History of Gambling in South Dakota

With Deadwood being part of the state, South Dakota has a rich gambling history. It goes way back to the Black Hills Gold Rush period, and here’s a concise rundown of all that has happened over the years:

  • April 1876: Deadwood was established by squatters in the Lakota territory following General Custer’s discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874. 
  • May to June 1876: Deadwood becomes a hub for miners, cowboys, and gamblers, including the famous ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok.
  • August 1876: Wild Bill is killed while playing poker, holding what is now known as the “dead man’s hand” (two pairs of black aces and eights).
  • 1889: South Dakota officially joins the Union and becomes a US state. 
  • 1905: Gambling is officially outlawed throughout South Dakota and remains illegal for several decades.
  • 1933: Horse racing is legalized, along with parimutuel wagering, marking the first legal form of gambling since 1905.
  • 1986: South Dakota establishes its state lottery, expanding legal gambling options.
  • 1989: To diversify Deadwood’s economy, the state legalizes gambling in the town, leading to the opening of its first casinos.
  • 1993: The state signs tribal compacts, allowing more real-money gambling venues within South Dakota.
  • 2012: Land-based casinos are permitted to accept stakes up to $1,000.
  • 2021: Retail sports betting is legalized in Deadwood. 

What’s Next for South Dakota Online Casinos?

No recent reports provide insights into the future of real money online casinos in SD. According to experts, the platforms may remain illegal for many more years. South Dakota will have to first take the significant step of legalizing online sports betting like many other US states, but that’s yet to happen. 

In December 2023, there were reports that South Dakota communities were looking to place caps on video lottery machines. There were concerns that players were spending too much time on them.

This was what Sioux Falls City Councilor, Rich Merkouris, had to say:

When you look at the intent when video lottery started, it was intended to be a supplement, like you’d have a restaurant with video lottery machines. It’s kind of turned into stand-alone casinos.

Rich Merkouris, Sioux Falls City Council

This indicates that the communities are worried about gambling addiction in South Dakota. So, if lawmakers begin making moves to legalize online casino gaming, predictions are that it’ll receive a good deal of disapproval. 

So, Will You Bet From South Dakota Tonight? 

At this point, you know what your options are for safe gambling in South Dakota. There’s no real money online casino South Dakota residents can play at, and the only legal options are sweepstakes sites and land-based establishments.

With our recommendations in this guide, you can enjoy an optimal experience whether you choose to play for fun online or visit a gambling location. 

The US online gaming space isn’t static, and there are happenings almost every day. So, we advise you to keep tabs on our website, TrustnPlay to stay updated.

In the meantime, learn the best strategies you can apply to maximize your winnings with our ultimate Betting 101 section