Hearings set for new gaming compact for Watertown casino
Public Notice Review
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Public hearings are planned in Sisseton and Watertown to discuss proposed amendments to the gaming compact with Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Oyate, according to a public notice in the Sisseton Courier on Nov. 6.
Larry Eliason, executive secretary for the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, said the new 10-year compact wouldn't increase the number of machines allowed at Dakota Sioux Casino in Watertown, nor would it allow for additional locations. The primary change, he said, would be use of a new formula to calculate payments to Roberts and Codington counties. That formula, he said, is now based on the number of machines in the casino.
As an example, if Dakota Sioux had 1,000 machines, which is the maximum allowed, its payment would be $325,000, of which 25 percent would be paid to Roberts County and 75 percent to Codington County.
Use of 500 machines would mean a $75,000 payment, 625 machines a payment of $122,500 and 750 machines a $170,000 payment.
The new agreement would set up a fee schedule with certain payments each year. The casino's 2018 payment is to be $300,000, of which $225,000 goes to Codington County and $75,000 to Roberts County. Payments from 2019 to 2022 would be $400,000 per year, with $300,000 to Codington County and $100,000 to Roberts County.
Both hearings are Nov. 20. In Watertown, the hearing is at 8:30 a.m. in the prairie room of the Watertown Event Center, 1902 Ninth Ave. S.W. In Sisseton, the hearing is at 1:30 p.m. in the community room of Sisseton City Hall, 406 W. Second Ave.
A copy of the compact can be found at dor.sd.gov/gaming/meetings. Interested parties can also call 605-773-6050 for a courtesy copy. Written comments can be sent by Nov. 20 to Office of the Governor; State Capitol; 500 E. Capitol Ave.; Pierre SD 57501.