PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — The House State Affairs Committee this morning narrowly killed HB1249, a bill brought by Rep. John Mills of Volga to end video lottery advertising in South Dakota.
The final 7-6 vote came following several amendments and clashing ideas concerning whether or not the state of South Dakota should promote what proponents of the bill call a state-sponsored ‘addiction.’
Mills testified that he felt ‘ashamed’ every time he encountered an ad supporting lottery in South Dakota. He and others compare video lottery to opioid addiction and other highly addictive behaviors.
Mills says, “Telling people that video lottery is ‘fun’ is wrong.”
Associated School Board lobbyist Dick Teizen reminded committee members that lottery revenues are used to fund education in South Dakota.
House Speaker Steven Hauggard fought back, saying that lottery revenues are mixed in with general fund dollars and end up spread out across all of state government.
In the end, the State Affairs committee split down the middle with Majority Leader Lee Qualm casting the determining vote to send HB1249 to the 41st day effectively killing the bill.
(Article contributed by Patrick Callahan, South Dakota Broadcasters Association.)
