BetMGM Enters South Dakota Sport Betting Market

Article ByStan Fox

August 26, 2021

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Posted in: South Dakota Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

BetMGM announced Thursday a sports betting partnership with Liv Hospitality’s Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort in South Dakota.

The exclusive deal will allow BetMGM – a digital arm of the Nevada-based MGM Resorts International – to have retail and mobile sports betting in Deadwood.

It comes less than 10 months after voters approved the Deadwood Sports Betting Legalization Amendment last November, paving the way for the state legislature to legalize sports betting within the city.

‘Ideal Partnership’

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a news release that Liv Hospitality’s prime resort locations in the city make it an ideal partner for the sportsbook operator. He said the partnership will extend the BetMGM sports betting experience to sports fans in Mount Rushmore State.

Once cleared by the regulatory authorities, Tin Lizzi Gaming Resort and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort will have access to the BetMGM mobile app beginning September. BetMGM – a joint venture between MGM Resorts and the UK-based Entain Group – will also open a retail sportsbook that will include kiosks and counter wagering.

“BetMGM is a wonderful organization that adds credibility to our new sports betting offerings,” Live Hospitality CEO Caleb Arceneaux said. He said visitors have got another reason to come to the only city in South Dakota that will have sports betting, besides many other entertainment opportunities at their resorts.

South Dakota Sports Betting Coming This NFL

Residents across the state will be able to place legal sports bets at Deadwood casinos in time for the NFL season, kicking off Sept. 9.

Earlier this month, the Legislative Interim Rules Review Committee unanimously passed rules for South Dakota sports betting.

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming is expected to approve sports betting providers at a Sept. 8 meeting. If the providers are approved by then, as indicated by Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman, operators in Deadwood could start taking wagers for the NFL regular season debut between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9.

How Have We Reached Here?

South Dakota lawmakers became the first state this year to send sports betting bill to a governor when the House approved SB 44 in early March with a dominant majority. Gov. Kristi Noem also wasted no time in signing the bill in March.

South Dakota sports betting law went into effect July 1, and the regulators began accepting license applications the same day.

Since the legalization in March, South Dakota had one targeted launch date in mind: September. Rodman said in March, “We’re pushing to catch as much of the NFL season as we possibly can.”

While citing his conversations with some casinos operators, Rodman estimated that there would be as many as 10 sportsbooks in Deadwood once the industry goes live in September.