PIERRE, S.D. – Legislation that would provide some financial stability for South Dakota’s horse racing industry is on Governor Larry Rhoden’s desk.

The Senate passed House Bill 1058 Friday (Feb. 6, 2026). The bill involves online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races. It authorizes the South Dakota Commission on Gaming to license and regulate online pari-mutuel providers that are already providing online betting for horse racing to South Dakota residents.

Fort Pierre is the last remaining site of live horse races in South Dakota. Shane Kramme with the Verendrye Benevolent Association, the group that hosts the races, says online horse betting is legal in 41 states so this proposal would give South Dakota that opportunity as well. He says if HB 1058 doesn’t pass, it could signal the end of horse racing in the state.

As far as horse races this year, Kramme says the South Dakota Commission on Gaming has approved races being held in Fort Pierre Oct. 3-4. However, he says because of lack of funding, they may only be able to support one day of races.

In the past, pieces of legislation aimed at giving financial stability to South Dakota horse racing have fared well with the Deadwood Gaming industry and lawmakers, until Deadwood Gaming made last minute decisions to oppose the bills.