The gambling industry in the United States generates an annual revenue of $240 billion. Yet, gambling is still an activity with many restrictions. Take, for example, South Dakota – the state has yet to legalize online gambling. However,South Dakota residents can enjoy several gambling activities, including playing poker at local casinos. Here, we take a look at every detail regarding playing poker in South Dakota.
The History of Poker in South Dakota
Gambling in SD dates back to 1876 when Charlie, Steve (friends of the famous gambler, Wild Bill Hickok, who was killed during one game in Deadwood while holding cards), and other gamblers traveled in massive numbers to the town of Deadwood. This was the beginning of a flourishing gambling businesses in the town.
Deadwood was a hotspot for poker and gambling, and was undeniably a violent hub. Even after the first SD constitution banned gambling, betting continued until the 1950s, when the government decided to crack down on gambling activities.
In the 1950s, the government of South Dakota revisited the topic of gambling and decided to legalize dog and horse racing betting. Several years later, South Dakota joined other states that participated in the lottery.
In 1988, SD legalized land-based casinos in Deadwood. In fact, that part of the town has nine tribal casinos where you can play poker. But this came with restrictions. For example, betting was limited to $5 per hand, which was later increased to $100 in 2000. In 2012, the amount of money gamblers could stake was increased to $1000. Today, you’ll find nine tribal casinos in Deadwood and several more outside the town, where you can play poker games like Texas Hold’em.
Is Playing Poker Legal in South Dakota?
The answer to this question is not straightforward. While you can play poker in South Dakota, its legality depends on where you’re playing. For example, the state has the several land-based casinos in Deadwood that we already mentioned. This means you can play poker in those places, though you have to abide by the restrictions such as betting at most $1000 per hand.
Private poker games or playing at home, however, is not allowed. Yet, of course, no one has ever been busted for playing poker at their homes. As much as the law restricts poker, law enforcement doesn’t really implement it. This means you can contribute to government revenue by playing poker in legalized casinos in SD, or play at home, realistically.
Does the State Allow Online Poker?
Internet gaming has yet to be legalized in South Dakota. In fact, no one is allowed to run an online gambling site in SD. The state has specific laws regarding online gambling, but none of the statutes targets individual. This explains why the people of SD continue to play poker on online platforms outside its boundaries.
South Dakota protects land-based casinos, as they bring in revenue. If the state was to allow online gambling, then perhaps the thinking is that they would stop going to the land-based ones. The state is also concerned with legalizing online gaming, as it could lead to a decrease in the number of tourists who visit Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills for casino fun. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy online poker. Keep reading and discover where to play.
3 Poker Rooms Where You Can Play Online Poker
Do you want to take a break from the poker you can play Deadwood, and go online? Here are the sites to you need to join to get an exciting online poker experience.
1. Black Chip Poker
Registration on Black Chip Poker is straightforward. Once you join the platform, you also qualify for a sign-up bonus of up to $1000, 100% of the amount you deposit. The website accepts deposit methods such as Skrill, Neteller, MasterCard, bitcoin, and bank transfer.
While the deposit is instant, except for bank transfer, withdrawal can take up to 5 days, depending on the method you choose to use. Customer service is available on the website, and gaming is fair.
2. SB Poker
The Panama government licenses SB Poker. The website accepts players from SD and accepts several payment methods available to citizens of SD. Once you sign-up, you get a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1000, whereby you have to use a promo code (NEWSB) when registering to qualify for the prize.
The platform is less competitive, thus making it possible for less experienced players to win. With payment methods such as Visa, bitcoin, INPAY, credit card, and ecoPayz, you can deposit instantly and withdraw your winnings in 1-3 days. The platform is easy to navigate and also comes with a detailed FAQ page.
3. America’s Cardroom
America’s Cardroom is a betting site licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority. It is thus permitted to offer poker games to you as long as you’re over 18 years old. Immediately when you register, you get a welcome bonus of 100%, up to $1000. You also enter into the weekly progressive jackpot once you start playing for real money.
Payment methods you can use on the platform include ecoPayz, INPAY, Amex, bitcoin, and bank transfer. The website is also impressive because it has a comprehensive customer support system and pays players’ winnings in 1-3 days.
So is it Safe for People in SD to Register to Online Poker Sites?
Yes. You can join the above platforms without worrying about your security or violating your State’s law. These websites use SSL technology to ensure no third parties access your data or details. You can also take solace in the fact that no one has ever been prosecuted for playing online poker in South Dakota, and I doubt this will happen any time soon.