Whether you’re a gambling enthusiast or just looking to pass the time, there are plenty of places in South Dakota to enjoy a splurge. The state boasts 37 traditional casinos, as well as a handful of non-casino locations with gaming terminals to boot. Unlike many other states, however, it is legal to gamble at both tribal and licensed casinos.

In addition to its many gambling offerings, the state also has a problem gambling fund that goes a long way in assisting individuals in need of help. The fund’s mission is twofold, namely, to assist in the treatment of problem gamblers and to support K-12 schools that may be affected by a loss of funds from the lottery.

The South Dakota State Lottery has been around since 1986, when it was first approved. It later became a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association, which introduced the cross-state lotto game. There are 37 traditional casinos in the state, but it’s one of only a few states that allows non-casino locations to carry gaming terminals. The state does not have a state-specific affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, although the aforementioned organization does operate a gambling helpline.

The state also does a decent job of promoting responsible gaming, albeit with a limited budget. The lottery has been an effective advocate of this cause, having set up an awards program for players who display a certain amount of good sportsmanship. Aside from the obvious, state-sanctioned facilities are allowed to have plaques with the lottery logo on each machine. In addition to the aforementioned prizes, patrons of restaurants can also enter into a drawing for free meals.

The South Dakota lottery also has the distinction of being the largest state lottery in the country. It has a number of other advantages, including the ability to offer small stakes games, which means that you can spend as little as a nickel to try your luck at the slots. It’s also the only state lottery to allow its residents to participate in nation-wide contests, such as the Mega Millions jackpot. There are also numerous other forms of gambling, such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, to name a few. In order to participate in some of these games, however, you must be at least 18 years old. The same rule applies to horse racing, of course.

The state has been on the cutting edge of gambling technologies for a while, as evidenced by the fact that it has the only lottery that allows non-casino locations to have gaming terminals. In addition to the usual suspects, however, there are a few lesser-known places to find your next splurge. The State of New York is another example, with its tribal casinos and state-licensed casinos. In fact, the state of New York has the most casinos per capita in the U.S., a testament to its hard-working residents.

The South Dakota State Lottery is a worthy entrant in the world of lotteries, but it must be said that the state has a bit of a reputation for its gambling laws, a reputation that isn’t exactly deserved.