Feb. 6, 2026: Legislation that would provide some financial stability for South Dakota’s horse racing industry is headed to 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 autho rizes 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.   Feb. 5, 2026: Legislation that would provide some financial stability for South Dakota’s horse racing industry is headed down the home stretch. The Senate Commerce and Energy Committee passed House Bill 1058 Thursday (Feb. 5, 2026) on a 7-2 vote. It now goes to the Senate floor for final legislative approval. If passed there, it’ll go to Governor Larry Rhoden’s desk to be either signed into law or vetoed. HB 1058 involves online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races. It would authorize 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. 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. This time, Kramme is cautiously optimistic that Deadwood Gaming will remain supportive. 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.   Jan. 27, 2026: Legislation that would provide some financial stability for South Dakota’s horse racing industry has made it half way through the legislative process. The South Dakota House of Representative passed House Bill 1058 Tuesday (Jan. 27, 2026) on a 56-10 vote. Representative Mike Weisgram of Fort Pierre, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the bill involves online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/01/012726-weisgram1.mp3 Weisgram says HB 1058 would authorize 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. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/01/012726-weisgram2.mp3 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. The bill now goes to the Senate. 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. This time, Kramme is cautiously optimistic that Deadwood Gaming will remain supportive. 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.   Jan. 22, 2026: Legislation that would provide some financial stability for South Dakota’s horse racing industry has been introduced in the state legislature. Shane Kramme from Fort Pierre is with the Verendrye Benevolent Association, the group that hosts the only annual horse races still held in South Dakota. He says House Bill 1058 involves online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/01/savehorse1.mp3 According to Kramme, online horse betting is already legal in 41 other states so this proposal would give South Dakota that opportunity as well. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/01/savehorse2.mp3 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. This time, Kramme is cautiously optimistic that Deadwood Gaming will remain supportive. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/01/savehorse3.mp3 Fort Pierre is the last remaining site of live horse races in South Dakota. Kramme says if HB 1058 doesn’t pass, it could signal the end of horse racing in the state. The bill has been assigned to the House Commerce and Energy Committee. It has not been scheduled for a hearing. 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. ...read more read less