BetMGM takes first retail sports bets in Deadwood at Tin Lizzie and Cadillac Jack's casinos

BetMGM has opened its new retail sports betting venues in South Dakota with Liv Hospitality, in Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort, accepting its first bets on Thursday. The openings mark a new milestone for the sports betting operator, as South Dakota marks the 16th market in which BetMGM’s product is available.

The Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort debuted a state-of-the-art BetMGM Sportsbook, which features big-screen TVS, betting windows and betting kiosks around the property. Meanwhile, Cadillac Jack’s features its own array of BetMGM sports betting kiosks, as well as writer’s stations “for guests that prefer to place their wagers over the counter,” states a press release.

Pending regulatory approval, the BetMGM mobile app will be accessible for guests within both resorts “in the near future.”

SPORTS WAGERING IS OFFICIALLY HERE. Come #PlaceYourBets at Cadillac Jack’s. #BetMGMPartner pic.twitter.com/9N4JK5wRDa

— Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort (@cadillacjacksgr) September 9, 2021

South Dakota was able to launch sports betting in time for the NFL kickoff, following a South Dakota Commission on Gaming meeting Wednesday, which saw three sports wagering providers receiving licenses: BetMGM, as well as Internet Sports International (ISI) and International Game Technology (IGT). Moreover, a sports wagering catalog, listing what sporting events people will be able to place bets on, was finalized.

Former State Senator Bob Ewing and Deadwood Mayor Dave Ruth were present at the ceremony Thursday morning at Tin Lizzie to place the state’s first bets, less than 12 hours before the first NFL season game.

The other two casinos that joined Tin Lizzie and Cadillac Jack’s in launching bets Thursday were Mustang Sally’s (ISI) and Gold Dust Casino (ISI). Deadwood Mountain Grand (IGT) could not launch betting on opening day.

Sports betting in South Dakota is limited to Deadwood city limits, which also applies to mobile wagering: BetMGM app users will only be available to do so while in the Liv Hospitality casinos. In South Dakota, sportsbooks are added onto existing casinos and bettors can bet on college teams from other states, but not SD.

Three additional service providers are still awaiting the go-signal in the state, and the commission is set to meet before its scheduled December reunion to approve them. The December meeting might also see adjustments to the betting catalog approved on Wednesday, depending on what customers want.

After Amendment B passed in South Dakota with 58% approval, it became the 25th state in the US to legalize sports wagering. Legislators passed enacting legislation in 2021, signed into law in March by Gov. Kristi Noem.