Ballot Questions Tex and Explanations - Amendment E

Constitutional Amendment E

An amendment to section 25 of Article III of the Constitution of the state of South Dakota, relating to the state lottery and video games of chance.

The Constitution authorizes the State to own, operate and regulate a "lottery," but prohibits "games of chance." In June 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that the current video lottery system, created in 1989, is a "game of chance" rather than a "lottery".

This amendment allows the lottery system to continue operating as it did before the court decision. The amendment will discourage lawsuits against the state treasury. The amendment also prohibits expansion of private ownership, and prohibits state-wide slot machines.

• A vote "YES" will reauthorize the state lottery system.
• A vote "NO" will prohibit the video lottery system.

That Article III, section 25 of the Constitution of the state of South Dakota be amended to read as follows:

 25. The legislature shall not authorize any game of chance, lottery, or gift enterprise, under any pretense, or for any purpose whatever provided, however, it shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorized by law, bona fide veterans, charitable, educational, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, volunteer fire departments, or such other public spirited organizations as it may recognize, to conduct games of chance when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious, or other public spirited uses. However, it shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize by law a state lottery or video games of chance, or both, which are regulated by the state of South Dakota, either separately by the state or jointly with one or more states, and which are owned and operated by the state of South Dakota, either separately by the state or jointly with one or more states or persons, provided any such video games of chance shall not directly dispense coins or tokens. However, the Legislature shall not expand the statutory authority existing as of June 1, 1994, regarding any private ownership of state lottery games or video games of chance, or both. The Legislature shall establish the portion of proceeds due the state from such lottery or video games of chance, or both, and the purposes for which those proceeds are to be used. SDCL 42-7A, and its amendments, regulations, and related laws, and all acts and contracts relying for authority upon such laws and regulations, beginning July 1, 1987, to the effective date of this amendment, are ratified and approved. Further, it shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize by law, limited card games and slot machines within the city limits of Deadwood, provided that 60% of the voters of the City of Deadwood approve legislatively authorized card games and slot machines at an election called for such purpose. The entire net Municipal proceeds of such card games and slot machines shall be devoted to the Historic Restoration and Preservation of Deadwood.