When it comes to sports betting in Deadwood, SD, BetMGM Sportsbook is in like a lion.
The company became the first sportsbook operator to announce ties with a casino in the Black Hills area. BetMGM and Liv Hospitality confirmed their exclusive partnership on Thursday.
Liv Hospitality operates the Tin Lizzy and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resorts in Deadwood.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said:
“Liv Hospitality’s prime resort locations in Deadwood make it an ideal partner for us. Together, we look forward to bringing the BetMGM sports betting experience to South Dakota sports fans.”
In Iowa, BetMGM accepts online wagers through Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque’s license. Customers can register at BetMGM and bet from anywhere in Iowa.
The sports betting rules are less operator-friendly in South Dakota for now. BetMGM customers will have to visit Tin Lizzy or Cadillac Jack’s to register and use the sportsbook.
Liv Hospitality CEO Caleb Arceneaux said:
“BetMGM is an outstanding organization that brings credibility to our new sports betting offerings. Visitors now have another reason to come to Deadwood, while enjoying the many other entertainment opportunities at our resorts.”
Customers in Deadwood can download a sports betting app if they want to bypass betting windows or kiosks. Since betting is restricted to on-site, the app won’t work once customers leave the resort facility, however.
BetMGM won’t be alone in Deadwood
BetMGM announced its alliance, but the courtship between casinos and operators is far from over.
Deadwood Gaming Association executive director Mike Rodman told PlayIA a month ago that the city has 13 full-scale casinos. He thinks at least 10 of them plan to offer sports betting.
“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes. The sports wagering service providers were able to start submitting their applications to be approved on July 1. So, they’re working with the potential casinos they’re going to team up with. They can start submitting their internal controls manuals for approval anytime.”
Deadwood also has 13 historic business locations that use “routed operators.” The routed operators place betting devices like slot machines at the venues and the service provider still owns the equipment. It then gives the hosting business a share of the gambling revenue. Rodman said about six to 10 of the smaller betting parlors could add sports wagers as an option.
Altogether, about 26 Deadwood locations could set up relationships with sportsbooks — much like BetMGM just did.
Sports betting operators need a $5,000 license application fee to set up shop at a Deadwood casino. Much like slot machine installments, the state will collect a $2,000 fee for every sportsbook kiosk installed at locations as well.
Sept. 8 is a key date
BetMGM’s partnership with Tin Lizzy and Cadillac Jack’s is pending regulatory approval. The South Dakota Commission on Gaming (SDCG) will meet on Sept. 8. That’s the first chance that Deadwood sports betting operators have to start accepting wagers.
Partners like BetMGM and Liv Hospitality will want internal controls in place ahead of the commission meeting. It could be possible for sport betting operators to go live in time for the Sept. 9 NFL regular-season opener.
Rodman won’t have a full list of partnerships until the contracts are approved at the commission meeting. Look for more of the industry’s major players to join the fray.
Rodman previously said:
“All I have is rumors at this point. Until Sept. 8, when the commission actually licenses those sports wagering service providers, I don’t know. I do know that there are some startup South Dakota companies that are (also) looking at becoming sports wagering service providers.”
