South Dakota’s punters may be forced to wait another year before it is possible to place a legal sports bet, after the bill failed to gain enough support in the state’s House of Representatives.
The bill, which sought to amend the state’s constitution to pave the way for legalised sports betting from within the city limits of Deadwood, received 7-3 votes against at the South Dakota House State Affairs Committee earlier this week.
The state’s Senate had previously shown support for the sports betting bill that was being considered, with the legislation expected to be well received at all levels. But with the bill voted down by the committee panel, the bill was moved on to the House of Representatives.
Despite the house voting 33-32 votes in favour of the Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2), it failed to reach the benchmark 36-vote majority required by the state law which would advance the proposed legislation.
If the house decides not to vote again on the measure, given that five House members were absent, this would put an end to voting on the legalisation of sports betting for 2019. No more proposals could be introduced until the start of the 2020 legislative session.
Earlier in the week, Deadwood Gaming Association’s Executive Director, Mike Rodman, emphasised that Deadwood must offer South Dakota customers the gambling products that they have requested, as well as the products that other states are offering.