PIERRE, SD – A State House committee has killed a resolution that would have legalized mobile sports betting in the state. The House State Affairs Committee deferred the SJR 502 to the 41st day with a vote of 10 to 3.
Democratic Representative Jamie Smith voted no on deferring to the 41st day. He says he wanted the full House to have a say.
The resolution proposed an amendment to the South Dakota constitution. It would have authorized wagering on sporting events by individuals located around the state by using their cellphone or another electronic platform.
Proponents of the bill say it would have brought thousands of dollars in tax revenue to the state. Proponents also argued sports betting is already happening illegally, so the state should legalize it and profit from the industry.
Opponents of the bill argued it would cause societal harm to South Dakota and increase gambling addictions and related issues. Opponents also say this constitutional amendment should go through the petition process and get signatures from voters.
