Increase the dollar limit for playing video lottery.
Summary
SB206 would amend South Dakota’s video lottery law to increase the maximum amount that may be played on a single video lottery game from $2 to $4. It would also raise the cap on free games or credits that may be awarded per bet from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill does not change the minimum payback requirement, which remains at least 80% of the value of the credit.
In practical terms, the bill would expand the allowable wager size and potential prize/credit amounts for video lottery machines operating in the state. The change would affect video lottery operators, establishments that host these machines, and players, while leaving the core regulatory structure of § 42-7A-38 in place aside from the higher limits.
Impact
SB206 would directly amend § 42-7A-38 of the South Dakota Codified Laws, altering the statutory limits on video lottery machine play and payouts. By increasing the per-game wager limit and the maximum free games or credits per bet, the bill would permit higher-stakes play on regulated video lottery machines. The bill leaves the 80% minimum payback standard unchanged, so the principal legal effect is to broaden the permitted monetary range rather than revise the underlying regulatory framework.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests mixed support rather than broad consensus. The bill was deferred to the 41st legislative day on a 5-3 vote, indicating that a majority of the committee was willing to delay further action, while a substantial minority opposed that step. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed arguments, but the vote pattern suggests the proposal was contentious enough to prevent immediate advancement.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy choice to raise the maximum amount that can be wagered on video lottery from $2 to $4 and to substantially increase the cap on credits or free games per bet. Supporters likely view the change as an update to existing gaming limits, while opponents may be concerned about encouraging larger wagers, increasing gambling exposure, or expanding the scale of video lottery play. The 5-3 deferment vote indicates that legislators were divided on whether the bill should move forward.