South Dakota has no statewide mobile sportsbook, but you can bet on horse racing from your phone. Here is how advance deposit wagering (ADW) works for South Dakotans, which apps accept them, and how to read the bet menu.
Online horse betting is available to South Dakota residents through ADW platforms that list South Dakota as an eligible state. Your bets go into the same pari-mutuel pools as wagers placed at the host track, whether that is Churchill Downs in May or Saratoga in August.
That makes racing the main way to bet on a sporting event online in South Dakota. Sports betting itself is limited to in-person wagering at Deadwood casinos and some tribal casinos.
In this article 12 sections
- South Dakota horse racing in brief
- Is online horse betting legal in South Dakota?
- Horse betting sites in South Dakota
- How to start betting horses online in South Dakota
- Major horse betting events for South Dakota bettors
- Types of horse racing bets in South Dakota
- Best horse betting apps in South Dakota
- Sports betting in South Dakota
- Taxes on horse racing winnings in South Dakota
- Responsible gambling in South Dakota
- South Dakota horse racing betting in 2027
- More
South Dakota horse racing in brief
| Quick facts | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting | Yes, through ADW apps that accept South Dakota customers |
| Sports betting | Retail only, Deadwood and tribal casinos (21+) |
| Mobile sports betting | Not legal; 2026 resolution failed in committee |
| AmWager minimum age | 21+ |
| State income tax on winnings | None |
| Problem gambling helpline | 1-888-781-HELP (4357) |
Is online horse betting legal in South Dakota?
Yes, through ADW operators that accept South Dakota customers. ADW is pari-mutuel wagering: you fund an account, place bets from that balance, and your money is pooled with other bettors’ at the host track. Payouts depend on the pool and the track’s takeout, so you are betting against other players rather than against the operator.
ADW is a separate product from sports betting. A racing app will not take a bet on the Coyotes or the Jackrabbits, and a Deadwood sportsbook counter is not the place for a Pick 4 at Gulfstream.
Horse betting sites in South Dakota
AmWager is our racing partner and accepts customers in South Dakota. It is racing-only, with pari-mutuel pools from tracks across North America and abroad, free past performances and live video on many races. You must be 21 or older to open an account.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
Other national ADW brands such as TwinSpires and TVG (FanDuel Racing) serve many states. Eligible-state lists change, so check each operator’s terms before signing up.
How to start betting horses online in South Dakota
- Confirm you are 21 or older (AmWager’s minimum) and physically in an eligible state.
- Register with your legal name, address and date of birth so identity checks clear.
- Deposit by bank transfer, debit card or another listed method.
- Choose a track, a race and a bet type, then confirm the ticket.
- Withdraw winnings once your identity is verified.
Major horse betting events for South Dakota bettors
South Dakota’s live racing calendar is small, so most ADW action is on the national stage:
- The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, which returns to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027.
- Oaklawn Park’s spring meet in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and the Saratoga summer meet.
- The Breeders’ Cup World Championships each fall, scheduled for Belmont Park in 2027.
Types of horse racing bets in South Dakota
- Win, Place and Show: back a horse to finish first, in the top two, or in the top three.
- Exacta and Trifecta: the first two or three finishers in exact order, or boxed to cover any order.
- Superfecta: the first four in order.
- Daily Double and Pick 3 to Pick 6: winners of consecutive races.
A worked example: a $2 win bet on a horse that pays $8.40 returns $8.40, a profit of $6.40. Tote boards show payouts for a $2 stake, so a $10 win bet on the same horse returns five times that, $42.
Best horse betting apps in South Dakota
AmWager’s app runs on iOS and Android with wagering, video and handicapping data in one place. It checks your location to confirm you are in an eligible state, so keep location services on. When comparing apps, weigh track coverage, video quality, rewards and withdrawal speed.
Sports betting in South Dakota
Sports betting is legal in South Dakota, but only in person. Bets must be placed on the premises of a licensed Deadwood casino, regulated by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, or at tribal casinos that offer sportsbooks, such as the Dakota Sioux Casino near Watertown and Grand River Casino near Mobridge. A 2026 push for statewide mobile betting, SJR 504, passed the Senate but stalled in a House committee. See our South Dakota gambling guide for the full picture.
Taxes on horse racing winnings in South Dakota
South Dakota has no individual income tax, so the state does not tax your winnings. Federal tax still applies: large pari-mutuel payouts can trigger a W-2G, with withholding generally applying when a payout exceeds $5,000 and is at least 300 times the stake. From the 2026 tax year, only 90% of gambling losses can be deducted, and never more than your winnings.
Responsible gambling in South Dakota
Set a budget before the first race and stick to it. ADW accounts offer deposit limits and self-exclusion. South Dakota’s problem gambling helpline is 1-888-781-HELP (4357), and callers can be referred to Gamblers Anonymous groups near their hometown. 1-800-GAMBLER also works nationally. See our responsible gambling guide.
South Dakota horse racing betting in 2027
Belmont Stakes goes home
The Belmont Stakes returns to Belmont Park on Long Island in 2027 after three years at Saratoga, one of the biggest days on South Dakota ADW accounts.
Breeders’ Cup at Belmont
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled for the new Belmont Park in fall 2027.
Mobile sports betting, round two
SJR 504 passed the state Senate 23-10 in February 2026 before a House committee deferred it. Any new resolution in the 2027 session would aim for a 2028 ballot; until then, racing remains South Dakota’s main online betting option.
What is the best horse racing betting site in South Dakota?
It depends what you bet. AmWager, our partner, offers US and international tracks with live video and a simple bet slip. TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, has deep handicapping content and TVG and FanDuel Racing add television and streaming coverage. Holding two accounts is common in South Dakota, since rebates and track coverage differ from app to app.
Is online horse betting legal in South Dakota?
Yes. ADW apps that accept South Dakota customers, such as AmWager, offer pari-mutuel betting on tracks nationwide.
What is the age to bet on horses online in South Dakota?
It depends on the operator. AmWager requires customers to be 21 or older.
Can I bet on sports online in South Dakota?
No. Sports betting is in person only, at Deadwood and tribal casinos.
Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby from South Dakota?
Yes. ADW apps that accept South Dakota customers carry the Derby, with your bet pooled at Churchill Downs.
Does South Dakota tax horse racing winnings?
No. South Dakota has no individual income tax, but federal tax applies and large payouts can trigger a W-2G.
