Internet gambling bill advances

Rep. Roger Hunt, R-Brandon, said Internet gambling is spreading like wildfire. Legislators should quickly ban it before it gains a foothold in South Dakota, he said.

"If we don't get a handle on this ... it's going to grow phenomenally fast, Hunt warned. "We saw growth in the video lottery area much faster than we expected when we didn't put a handle on it."

HB1110, Hunt's bill, would make it illegal to provide Internet gambling in South Dakota or start an Internet gambling service in the state.

Violators could be thrown into prison for two years on a first offense and five years on subsequent convictions.

Nathan Schock of the South Dakota Family Policy Council said online gambling would be too convenient because people could do it in their homes. Barring businesses from offering it would eliminate that temptation, he said.

"This could deter the solicitation of South Dakotans in this type of business," Schock said in support of HB1110.

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