Deadwood Bill Passes 012010 (audio)

Air Date:01/20/2010

By: Eryn Clement

A bill aimed at correcting the technicality in the current Deadwood gaming licensing laws passed on the House floor Wednesday. The bill was written after changes in the ownership structure of casinos emerged.

Over the past few years, individuals have wanted to become actively involved in the gaming industry but want to avoid licensure and the required background investigation. The bill that passed creates a new license category that requires any person who owns property where gaming is conducted be licensed and subject to a background check. Representative Charles Turbiville says the legislation calls for a fee of two-hundred dollars for the purpose of covering the costs of the background checks.

“We do not expect to generate revenue from this fee. The purpose of this bill is not to create that revenue source but to make sure that everyone who has an interest in gaming in Deadwood is subject to a background check and licensure. In the words of former Governor George Mickelson, we want to keep gaming in Deadwood squeaky clean,” says Turbiville.

The bill passed unanimously with a sixty-nine to zero vote.

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