Mustang Sally’s in Deadwood Loses Gaming License Over Unlawful Proxy Sports activities Betting
The proprietor of Mustang Sally’s in Deadwood, South Dakota, is expressing regret for knowingly violating the state’s playing and sports activities betting guidelines.
Mustang Sally’s, a sports activities bar and former on line casino parlor on Deadwood’s historic Essential Avenue has misplaced its gaming license. The South Dakota Fee on Gaming revoked the property’s slots and sports activities betting privileges after its proprietor admitted to violating gaming laws. (Picture: TripAdvisor)
The South Dakota Fee on Gaming (SDCG) not too long ago reviewed quite a few allegations that Mustang Sally’s, a sports activities bar with a small allotment of slot machines and sports activities betting kiosks, was repeatedly facilitating proxy bets.
Proxy betting is the act of somebody inserting a guess on behalf of one other particular person. In South Dakota, inserting a proxy guess is a Class 6 felony punishable by as much as two years imprisonment and a $4,000 advantageous.
State gaming officers stated there was ample proof to conclude that no less than 95 sports activities bets have been facilitated by way of proxy. The state alleged that Jennifer Haefs of Lead, South Dakota, a Mustang Sally’s worker, repeatedly positioned wagers for the bar’s proprietor, Toby Keehn, and others whereas on the job.
After a short govt session behind closed doorways involving the five-member gaming fee, the SDCG unanimously motioned to revoke Mustang Sally’s Operator and Retail License. In addition they imposed a $25K advantageous towards the enterprise. The monetary penalty is due no later than Oct. 31, 2022.
Proprietor Admits Guilt
Mustang Sally’s opened in 2002 and shortly grew to become one among Deadwood’s favourite spots for sports activities. The watering gap presents a primary bar menu with burgers, wings, and fried corn canines. Earlier than the SDCG’s licensing revocation, Mustang Sally’s additionally provided 30 slots and two self-service sports activities betting kiosks.
Voters in South Dakota in the course of the November 2020 election handed a poll referendum to authorize in-person sports activities betting in Deadwood and at tribal casinos.
Mustang Sally’s subsequently partnered with ISI Race & Sports activities for its sportsbook kiosks. The Las Vegas-based sportsbook agency supplies turnkey sports activities playing options.
Since sports activities betting arrived in Deadwood, Keehn conceded he routinely fancied a sports activities guess. He usually phoned in his bets to Haefs, who executed the wagers in his route.
I’m extremely sorry for my unhealthy judgment,” Keehn informed the state gaming fee. “It positively would by no means occur once more.”
The SDCG stated its solely possibility was to strip Mustang Sally’s of its gaming license, as Keehn is now not appropriate to function a Deadwood gaming institution.
Legal professional Roger Tellinghuisen, who served because the legal professional normal of South Dakota from 1987 to 1991, represented Keehn and Haefs. He requested the gaming fee for “compassion and consideration,” as a license revocation would seemingly outcome within the eventual closing of Mustang Sally’s.
The enterprise retains its meals and beverage licenses.
Proxy Betting Clearly Banned
South Dakota’s business gaming legislation permits Deadwood’s Essential Avenue to be lined with boutique gaming parlors. The buildings are seemingly caught within the historic city’s Gold Rush days and prohibit the extension of credit score for playing.
“No licensed gaming institution, licensee appearing throughout the scope of employment as a licensee, or worker of a licensed gaming institution appearing throughout the scope of the worker’s employment might lengthen credit score to a different particular person for participation in gaming. A violation of this part is a Class 6 felony,” South Dakota’s gaming legislation mandates.
