Pari mutuel betting originated in Italy back in 1874. It is a type of gambling where players use physical tokens rather than money. These tokens can either be casino chips or stamped cans or bottles – the same way that you would find at a regular casino. The main difference is that these are played at race tracks, and players use them instead of actual cash to bet on the horses they love. Because these games are played without the use of cash, they are considered legal in most states. However, they are still viewed as illegal in other parts of the country. If you live in South Dakota and are looking to get into some Pari Mutuel betting action, be sure to check whether or not it is legal in your home state first.
The History Of Pari Mutuel Betting In South Dakota
The state of South Dakota was originally divided into three sections: North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In 1889, these three states were consolidated into one region called the Dakota Territories. It wasn’t until the 20th century that residents of South Dakota started seeing gambling as a problem. This was mostly due to the fact that horse racing was popular back in the day and it became impossible to keep track of all the gambling that was going on. At first, the state government didn’t see the need to make a distinction between legal and illegal gambling. The only official stance was that it was all wrong, and they needed to regulate it somehow.
The first step in tackling this issue was to pass a statewide referendum in 1946 that allowed for the legal usage of pari mutuel betting. However, it wasn’t until the late 1950s that they started taking it seriously and actually started enforcing the law. This lead to a few unfortunate arrests and a lot of community outcry. People were pretty passionate about protecting their beloved hobby of betting on the horses. So much so that in 1956, a law was passed that made it mandatory for racetracks to make certain disclosures to the public regarding wagering practices. This way, they could get the public opinion on their side before implementing any changes.
Where Can I Bet?
When it comes to betting, you’ve got two options. You can either go to a legal racetrack and place your wagers there, or you can go to an illegal bookie and make your wagers there. If you live in South Dakota and want to bet on the horses, you have to go through the legal channels due to the fact that racetracks are considered “gaming establishments.” You can find out more about where to bet and how to place your wagers at the South Dakota Horse Racing Commission website.
Can I Take My Family?
When it comes to taking your family to the track, you can’t go wrong. You can get your tickets and take your kids to see the ponies run. They will have a good time and you and your spouse will enjoy the fact that there are no worries about money, credit cards, etc. However, if it’s a school night or you have other plans, take the family to the restaurant instead. There is plenty to choose from and the food will be delicious. Plus, you and your spouse can enjoy each other’s company without the kids witnessing what could be a tense situation. The choice is yours.
What Should I Look Out For?
When betting, it is important to remain alert for all types of scams. There are some online scams that try to trick people into thinking that they are visiting a legal site when in reality, they are visiting an illegal site that promises great prize winnings. Also, be careful when getting emails that claim to be from the horse racing commission or any other government entity. It is quite often that people get tricked into thinking that they are submitting some kind of application or payment when in reality, they are filling out some survey or buying some useless product. If you want to keep your money, it is advisable to stay away from these types of sites.
To recap, legal pari mutuel betting in South Dakota began in 1946 and was implemented as a result of a statewide referendum. At the time, it wasn’t uncommon for people to go to the track daily or even multiple times a week. They would place their bets on a slip of paper, which was then entered into a “scratch book” at the track. Since then, the law has changed numerous times, but the basic idea behind pari mutuel betting has not. Today, it is still just as relevant as it was over 100 years ago.