Bingo in South Dakota: Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in South Dakota?

Yes, for qualifying groups. South Dakota’s gambling chapter, SDCL 22-25, makes most gambling a crime, but section 22-25-25 exempts bingo and lotteries run by a defined list of organizations:

• Veterans’ organizations
• Religious, charitable, educational and fraternal organizations
• Civic and service clubs
• Volunteer fire departments
• Local industrial development corporations, political parties and certain political committees

A 2026 bill, HB 1201, added local booster clubs to that list.

What South Dakota doesn’t have is a state bingo agency. Instead of a license, the law relies on local notice: the organization must give the county or city written notice of the time and place at least 30 days before the game, and it can only proceed if the local governing body doesn’t pass a resolution objecting.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in South Dakota?

The bingo statute doesn’t set a minimum age for players. That leaves it to the organization running the game, and many halls limit play to adults.

Other forms of gambling have their own rules. Casino gaming in Deadwood is limited to players 21 and older, and tribal casinos set their own entry ages.

Can you play online bingo for real money in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota hasn’t authorized online casino games or online bingo. Sports betting is legal only in person in Deadwood and at tribal casinos, not through statewide mobile apps.

Free bingo apps with no cash prizes are fine. Our online bingo guide explains how to tell them apart from real-money sites.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in South Dakota?

As of October 2026, no state law specifically bans sweepstakes casinos or sweepstakes bingo in South Dakota, and we found no state enforcement action against them. Industry trackers updated in summer 2026 show the major dual-currency brands accepting South Dakota players.

The state hasn’t approved them, either. These sites depend on the “no purchase necessary” sweepstakes structure, which several states have rejected since 2025. Our sweepstakes bingo explainer explains the model and the risks.

Where can you play bingo in South Dakota?

Most bingo in South Dakota is charity bingo at:

• American Legion and VFW posts
• Churches and parish halls
• Fraternal lodges such as the Elks and Eagles
• Volunteer fire departments, often at community celebrations and fairs

South Dakota’s tribes also run casinos, and some tribal properties have offered bingo. Schedules change often and we couldn’t confirm current sessions at a specific venue, so we haven’t listed halls here. Call ahead before you make the drive.

How to run a charity bingo game in South Dakota

1. Confirm your group is on the list in SDCL 22-25-25.
2. Give notice. Send written notice of the time and place to your county or city governing body (or its designated official) at least 30 days before the game.
3. Wait for the deadline. If the governing body passes a resolution objecting, you can’t hold the game.
4. Keep it in-house. You can’t hire a separate organization or professional to run the game, and pay for workers is capped at the greater of the state minimum wage per hour or $60, with exceptions for fairs and recognized civic celebrations.
5. Cap prizes at $2,000 per play and make sure no individual profits from the proceeds.
6. Avoid equipment leases tied to game revenue. The statute bars them, except for allowed devices and normal agreements with distributors.

A 2012 Attorney General opinion also confirmed that charities can simulcast a bingo game across several locations with a pooled prize, as long as each part follows chapter 22-25.

Our bingo fundraiser guide covers prizes, pricing and volunteers. For pull-tabs, see our pull-tabs guide.

If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gaming page or call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.