Fraudulent Online Casinos Threatening South Dakota Consumers

These days you have to extra careful about the places you click when you're online. One wrong move and you could be un leashing a virus on your device or even expositing yourself financially.

The latest effort to trick you comes from fraudulent online casinos falsely claiming to be affiliated with licensed South Dakota gaming establishments. The uptick in activity from these scammers has prompted the South Dakota Commission on Gaming to issue an alert to the public.

What to Watch For

These unauthorized platforms use misleading advertisements, fake apps, and cloned websites to deceive consumers. The scammers use look-alike branding and logos of well-known Deadwood and Tribal casinos, promise unrealistic bonuses and 'guaranteed' winnings, and redirect users to suspicious websites or apps.

How to Protect Yourself

To stay safe, the commission recommends the following:

Do not participate in gambling online
Be skeptical of ads or messages that promise risk-free gambling or guaranteed payouts
Never share credit card, banking, or Social Security information with unverified platforms
Check the website address carefully—many scam sites use slight misspellings or fake domains (e.g., .net instead of .com)

Report Suspicious Activity

If you encounter or suspect an illegal gambling site:

Document the website, app, or advertisement in question
Report it to the Commission via email at DORSDGaming@state.sd.us or call (605) 578-3074
Contact the South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or (605) 773-4400, consumerhelp@state.sd.us, or visit consumer.sd.gov.

Online Gaming Reminder

Under South Dakota law, any online platform offering casino-style games such as slots, table games, sports wagering, or digital card games is not authorized.

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