Legal Poker For South Dakota Residents
South Dakota has a well-regulated gambling industry, with Deadwood being its gambling hub. Residents and visitors are always free to play real money poker games in a safe, licensed, and regulated environment in Deadwood casinos. However, the state does not seem to be keen on online poker legalization.
This page tells readers all that they need to know about South Dakota poker laws and the legality of playing real money poker games at offshore online poker rooms. We have also researched and hand-picked a number of top-rated online poker rooms that accept South Dakota residents.
South Dakota Poker Laws & Statutes
South Dakota deals sternly with unregulated and unlicensed gambling outfits. The state’s definition of gambling is so broad that it can be interpreted in a number of ways. According to Section 22-25-1, it is a misdemeanor to bet anything of value on the outcomes of any game of chance and to knowingly let a place or equipment for such gambling purposes. In fact, betting anything of value on any game of chance is illegal until and unless it is done at venues approved and licensed by the state.
Both operators and players involved in illegal gambling will find themselves facing class 2 misdemeanor charges. If found guilty, they may get a prison term of up to 30 days and a fine of as much as $500. Simultaneously, it is worth noting that South Dakota is not that keen on enforcing its gambling laws.
Since South Dakota frowns on social gambling, organizing, and taking part in home poker games, even if nobody makes money out of it, is against the law.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in South Dakota?
South Dakota is one of the few US states that has an online poker law, but it is targeted at operators of illegal gambling businesses within the state’s jurisdiction. Section 22-25 A clearly states that it is against the law to operate online poker businesses within the state even if it is not for real money.
Since no law in the state clearly prohibits players from playing for real money at offshore online poker rooms, one can conclude that it is safe and legal for residents to sign up at licensed offshore online poker sites and play real money online poker games there.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker South Dakota?
South Dakota residents will not get into trouble with their law enforcement agencies for playing real money poker games at offshore online poker rooms. South Dakota has clear laws prohibiting operators from running online poker businesses within its jurisdiction. If players come across an online poker room claiming to be licensed and regulated by South Dakota, they must steer clear of it as it is definitely an illegal online poker room. But online poker rooms based in foreign countries and licensed in remote gambling jurisdictions are safe places for South Dakota residents to wager real money on online poker rooms.
The online poker rooms we have listed on this page are safe and legal for South Dakota residents. Since no South Dakota law specifically prevents residents from playing real money online poker at offshore online poker rooms, players will not be prosecuted for signing up at offshore online poker sites.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept South Dakota Players
Things are starting to get exciting in the normally sleepy state of South Dakota. More and more residents are learning that it is legal to bet on sports in the state of South Dakota and it is causing quite the stir. Every day hundreds of residents are rushing to join legal poker sites like the ones listed below, and for good reason too.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For South Dakota
New players have been flocking to Bovada since their inception more than 20 years ago. They have long been the gold standard that every legal online poker room is held to and it is no surprise that South Dakota residents want a piece of the action. Luckily for them Bovada poker is the best site on the web for winning money while playing poker, if you have the skill.
This legal poker site is famous for the sheer amount of guaranteed tournaments they hold. The reason they have such a monumental lead on the rest of the competition is because they hold guaranteed tournaments every single day, whereas most sites only hold them once a week. Being around for a long time has had its benefits and one of those is great wealth that allows them to host great guaranteed tournaments. In addition to the daily tournaments Bovada has their own weekly tournament. This isn’t some chump change guaranteed tourney, this is a $100,000 dollar guaranteed tournament, every single week. It is hard to argue with numbers like that.
SportsBetting Poker - All South Dakota Players 18+ Welcome Here
SportsBetting offers a great deposit bonus that is unheard of on other sites, and in addition to that they still find a way to offer a large amount of money in guaranteed tournaments. If you want one of the most solid poker sites on the web then make sure to check out SportsBetting poker.
It isn’t hard to come by new users when you give new users double of their first deposit back. How many other sites on the web can say that they just double what their players put into the site, and then give it back to the player? Not many. If you want to double your deposit you have to simply do what you made the account to do in the first place – play poker. As rake is accumulated off your bets and winnings, you earn back more and more of your deposit until before you know it you have double back. You can then use this double to make sure you win a sizable piece of the $250,000 in guaranteed tournaments offered to their users.
| Legal South Dakota Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does South Dakota Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
Section 22-25-1 specifically states that playing games of dice and cards is illegal. If South Dakota residents want to enjoy a game of poker, they need to visit licensed Indian or commercial casinos within the state. Playing poker for real money under any other circumstances is against the laws of the state.
Since South Dakota does not permit social gambling, playing home poker games is illegal even if the house does not receive a cut. The state permits some forms of charity gambling, but hasn’t included poker in its list of games that can be organized to raise funds.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For South Dakota Players
Deadwood is South Dakota’s gambling hub, and any resident who wants to play live poker games for real money in a safe, licensed, and regulated environment simply has to head over to Deadwood. Residents can choose from around 31 licensed gambling facilities in Deadwood, and some of them are the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel and Gaming Complex, the Celebrity Hotel and Casino, Fort Randall Casino, Dakota Sioux Casino, Grand River Casino, Gold Dust Gaming Complex, Rosebud Casino, Star of the West Casino, and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort, to mention just a few.
Another legal way for South Dakota residents to play real money poker in a safe, licensed, and regulated environment is to sign up at offshore online poker rooms, such as the ones we have listed here. These poker sites are licensed and regulated in remote gambling jurisdictions and give great importance to gaming security and customer satisfaction. They give away exciting bonuses and rewards for loyalty and run a wide range of online poker tournaments, including freerolls and multi-table tournaments.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in South Dakota
South Dakota is not in a hurry when it comes to online poker legalization. When the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced in December 2011 that the federal Wire Act of 1961 no longer applies to online poker and online casino gaming, South Dakota indicated that it is willing to consider the issue of online poker legalization, but not immediately.
The state’s gambling industry is so comfortable with the current state of affairs that it is not interested in online poker legalization. Currently, South Dakota lawmakers are least interested in proposing online poker bills; the state just does not have any powerful advocates for online poker legalization. The state might legalize online poker, but definitely not in the near future.
