Best South Dakota Online Casinos 2025
An area rich in native history, gambling is quietly becoming a more significant part of the landscape in South Dakota. If you seek the convenience of online casinos, you’ll find that your current options are limited to sweepstakes casinos. While you don’t play directly with or for real money, these sweepstakes casinos offer the opportunity to exchange winnings for prizes. Read this guide to find out everything you need to know.
Our Top Five Recommended South Dakota Casinos
Historically, South Dakota has prohibited online casinos; however, customers are still free to play on several sweepstakes and social casinos that offer interactive gaming sessions. They provide an interactive and legal alternative to traditional online casinos, featuring a diverse selection of games and opportunities to win cash payouts through sweepstakes models.
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Top Legal Games to Play at South Dakota Casinos
The gambling landscape in South Dakota changed in 1989 with the opening of the first land-based casino in the historic town of Deadwood. Initially, the casino offered slot games, poker, and blackjack.
Today, 35 land-based casinos are operating in the state, all of which are located in Deadwood. An interesting aspect of South Dakota's gambling laws is that the maximum allowable legal bet on any wager in the state is capped at $1,000. Land-based casinos in South Dakota may operate up to 30 limited table games or slot machines per retail license they hold. There are also 12 tribal casinos situated on reservation land, which generally offer between 200 and 250 games on the casino floor.
The only option to play casino games online in South Dakota is through social casinos. Unlike legal and regulated online casinos, you won’t be directly wagering or winning real money at a social casino. These sites operate similarly to sweepstakes competitions such as the Publishers Clearing House prize.
There is also pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and a state lottery available in South Dakota.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in South Dakota
When playing at social casinos in South Dakota, you’ll be delighted to find that the selection of games is as plentiful and comparable to what you’d encounter when playing at a real-money online casino.
South Dakota online casinos offer extensive slot libraries featuring progressive jackpots and Megaways games. Table game options include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, video poker, scratch cards, and arcade-style games. Live dealer studios offer a wide range of these types of games, along with popular game show themes.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Instant Tap
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
How to Win Real Money on Casino Games in South Dakota
The Return to Player percentage (RTP) is offered for every game inside South Dakota sweepstakes casinos. The number indicates what percentage of money bet on that game will ultimately return to players as winnings. However, it’s important to remember that the equation isn’t as straightforward.
South Dakota Online Gambling Overview
South Dakota Gambling Law
South Dakota legalized land-based casinos in 1989. Initially, one casino located in Deadwood offered slots, poker, and blackjack. Today, 35 land-based casinos are operating in South Dakota. Seven Dakota Native American tribes operate 12 tribal casinos.
In 2021, the state gaming commission legalized retail sports betting sites that could operate inside South Dakota land-based casinos. However, if you desire online casinos, your only choice remains sweepstakes casinos.
The South Dakota State Lottery was approved in 1986 and has been operational since 1987. The state also offers pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and online advance deposit wagering on the sport.
How to Play With South Dakota Casinos
Although land-based casinos and retail sports betting are available in the state, South Dakota legislators have thus far made no attempt to pass legislation legalizing online casino gambling for real money. That leaves social casinos in South Dakota as the only option for playing online casino games.
Signing up for an account is a simple process. Just complete the following steps:
- Open a new account at any of the South Dakota social casinos.
- Complete all forms requiring personal information.
- Create a username and password unique to you.
- Verify that the information you’ve given to the social casino is accurate when prompted.
- After verification is confirmed, the site’s no deposit bonus will arrive in your account, and you can begin playing.
Accepted South Dakota Online Casino Banking Methods
It’s essential to remember that spending your own money to purchase Gold Coins is never necessary. If you choose to do so, you’ll find packages of GC available for purchase from South Dakota social casinos. Casinos will often include free SC as part of these packages. Under social casino laws, SC must always be given away. It’s not possible to purchase Sweepstakes Coins.
The usual banking methods for purchasing these coins are major debit or credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. The same options can also be employed when redeeming SC for cash prizes.
| Payment Method | Deposits/Purchases? | Withdrawals/Redemptions? |
|---|---|---|
Visa
| ✅ | ✅ |
MasterCard
| ✅ | ✅ |
American Express
| ✅ | ✅ |
Discover
| ✅ | ✅ |
PayPal
| ✅ | ✅ |
Skrill
| ✅ | ✅ |
Neteller
| ✅ | ✅ |
Bank Transfer
| ✅ | ✅ |
Apple Pay
| ✅ | ✅ |
Google Pay
| ✅ | ✅ |
Bitcoin
| ✅ | ✅ |
Ethereum
| ✅ | ✅ |
Tron
| ✅ | ✅ |
Ripple
| ✅ | ✅ |
Tether
| ✅ | ✅ |
DOGE
| ✅ | ✅ |
Who Can Play at South Dakota Online Casinos?
You must be at least 21 to play online casino games at South Dakota social casinos legally. It’s not necessary to reside in the state to play any of these games. However, you must be physically present within state lines to access any social casinos in South Dakota. This factor is assured through geolocation software.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for South Dakota Casinos?
You will need to provide documentation to any South Dakota online casino to verify that you are at least 21 years of age. You can confirm your identity by providing a copy of a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport. While you don’t have to live in South Dakota to play at online casinos, you must be in South Dakota to be eligible to play.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Commission on Gaming is the governing body that regulates the limited slot machines and card games permitted in the state. The commission oversees the licensing and regulation of casino gambling and sports betting in Mount Rushmore State.
South Dakota Casino Apps for Players
Mobile apps offer a quick way to get in on the action and start playing sooner rather than later. Many casinos provide optimized websites for seamless online gambling experiences. However, some go even further with a streamlined app.
South Dakota Casino Apps for Android
South Dakota Casino Apps for iOS
History of Online Gambling Laws In South Dakota
South Dakota has a rich history of gambling, dating back to the days of the Wild West. Wild Bill Hickok was famously shot and killed during a poker game in Deadwood while allegedly holding a hand of aces and eights. That’s why it’s known as the Dead Man’s Hand today.
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in South Dakota
1987
The state lottery was launched in South Dakota.
1989
Land-based casinos legalized in the state.
2020
Retail sports betting legalized in the state.
2021
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing legalized in South Dakota.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in South Dakota: What’s the Difference?
You’ve likely seen ads offering legal online sports betting and casino gambling for South Dakota players. These sites are known as offshore casinos, which are illegal operations under US federal gambling law. Gambling with one of these sites is a dangerous pursuit.
Since these sites are unregulated, there is no recourse if you do not receive your money after a significant payday. There is also no guarantee that these sites take any precautions to protect your personal information or the funds in your account. There’s no reassurance that the site isn’t simply a scam looking to steal your money. Likewise, if the site were to shut down suddenly, you’d have no options through any regulatory body to ensure you’d get your money back.
Land-based Casinos in South Dakota
The first land-based casino, which offered slots, blackjack, and poker, opened in Deadwood in 1989. Today, there are 35 casinos, all situated in Deadwood, and a dozen tribal casinos operated by seven different South Dakota tribes.
Fort Randall Casino
The Fort Randall Casino is a tribal casino operated by the Yankton Sioux Tribe. The casino is 10 miles west of Wagner, SD, and 3 miles east of Pickstown, SD, on Highway 46. Fort Randall Casino offers a variety of gaming options, including 350 slot machines, bingo, poker, blackjack, and roulette. A restaurant and a 60-room hotel are also on site.
Midnight Star Casino
Formerly owned by actor Kevin Costner, the Midnight Star Casino recently reopened under new ownership. A lounge and restaurant are on-site, along with slots, blackjack, and three-card poker.
Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino
There are more than 200 games to play at the Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino, along with a sportsbook. Along with slots like The Voice, Harley Davidson, Mardi Gras, and Wheel of Fortune, you’ll find exciting table games such as blackjack, three-card poker, roulette, Texas hold ‘em, and live craps.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in South Dakota?
No, real-money online casinos are not currently legal in South Dakota. If you want to play online casino games in the state, your only current option is to sign up with South Dakota social casinos.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in South Dakota?
Yes, online sweepstakes casinos are legal in South Dakota. You’ll find dozens of sites that replicate real-money online casinos, offering slots, table games, and live dealer action for virtual currency.
What are the best online casinos in South Dakota?
You’ll find that you have access to all the leading online social casinos operating in the US market, including those in South Dakota. If you are legally allowed to gamble (21), you’ll be welcome to play at sites like Pulsz Casino, RealPrize Casino, and High 5 Casino.
Are South Dakota online casinos safe?
Yes, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming must approve all gaming equipment, machines, and devices. The SDCG utilizes testing laboratories that are certified and accredited by the International Organization for Standardization.
Can I claim bonuses at South Dakota casinos?
Just like at a real-money online casino, bonus offers are available from social casinos in South Dakota. These offers will include a no deposit welcome bonus, daily login bonuses, and refer-a-friend bonuses. Additionally, welcome bonus packages of extra coins can often be purchased at a discounted rate.
