South Dakota Committee Will Wait Until Friday For Gambling Vote

Republican Leader Dave Knudson believes that the legislature should have a say in whether or not gambling expansion becomes legal in South Dakota. The State Affairs Committee voted on a bill that would back Knudson's wishes on Thursday.

The vote, however, remained deadlocked after four members voted in favor and four voted against the legislation. The issue has now been tabled until Friday when the ninth member of the committee will be present to vote.

The tribe's in the state have opposed the legislation, saying that they would be hard-pressed to add more slot machines if the bill was passed. The current governor, Mike Rounds, has refused to negotiate a new compact with the tribes.

The tribe contends that if the governor will not negotiate, then adding over 100 more legislators to the mix would make it even harder for expansion to be approved. Currently, the tribe can only negotiate with the governor under state law.

Governor Rounds is anti-gambling expansion, but that does not mean the next governor will have the same stance. If a pro-expansion governor was to take office, it would be easier for the tribe to negotiate with only the governor, and not have to seek approval from the legislature as well.

Tribal casinos in South Dakota are only allowed up to 250 slot machines under the current law. The Flandreau Santee Sioux has sued the state in federal court, claiming that the governor is not taking their request for the rights to additional machines seriously.

February 18, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!

Kentucky Lawmakers Stumbo And Williams React To Gambling Letter
Alabama Senate Delays Gambling Bill; King May Shut Down Task Force
Senate Democrats Looking Towards Key Gambling Vote In Alabama
Kakavas Ordered To Pay Gambling Marker In The Bahamas
European Union Calls Out Gambling Tax Laws In Spain