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SD House Approves New Games For Deadwood, Heads To Governor

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The state Legislature has passed a measure that would authorize three new voter-approved games in Deadwood.

The state House on Thursday voted 46-22 to approve the proposal to allow keno, craps and roulette in the historic mining town. The measure has already passed through the Senate and now heads to Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

Supporters have pushed the measure as a way to keep Deadwood competitive with other gambling hotspots such as Colorado and Iowa. In November, 57 percent of voters approved constitutional Amendment Q, which gave the Legislature the authority to implement the new games.

Republican Rep. Timothy Johns told the House to follow the lead that voters set when they approved the plan. Opponents argue gambling provokes addictions and causes social and financial problems for families in South Dakota.