South Dakota

South Dakota tourism looking for more spending in 2024

Published

1 year ago

September 3, 2024

South Dakota tourism looking for more spending in 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota tourism industry leaders don’t expect 2024 to set a new record for yearly visitors, but they do expect each visitor to spend more.

2023 saw about 14.7 million tourists visit South Dakota, with an estimated $7.9 billion in economic impact for the state. For the second year in a row, southeastern South Dakota saw a higher economic impact than the Black Hills and Badlands. Sioux Falls and its surrounding area saw $1.96 billion in tourism spending, while the main tourism spots West River saw $1.92 billion in spending.

Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt said it’s nice to come out on top once again last year, and said it’s taken years of work and advertising to catch up to the western side of the state.

“We worked long and hard to get those numbers to go up. It’s really taken everybody, from certainly not only our office, but South Dakota Tourism, all of the hotels and attractions,” Schmidt said.

For Travel South Dakota, that friendly rivalry is a good thing. It brings a boost to both sides of the state, and helps elevate other communities as well.

“We know that big attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park and Custer State Park are a huge hook for visitors. But what really has happened is Sioux Falls, Watertown, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, and all of these communities along the way have continued to up their game,” Travel SD Global Media Public Relations Director Katlyn Svendsen said.

So far, 2024′s estimated numbers don’t suggest that tourist numbers will be up much if at all. Svendsen said they expect that number to remain flat. But she added that they do expect the amount of money spent by travelers to be up.

“We are looking at it potentially being a little bit flat as we round out in terms of number of visitors coming in to South Dakota. But the exciting news is that they are spending dollars in South Dakota, and that number appears to be up,” Svendsen said.

Schmidt said their next big item on the calendar is the start of pheasant season. That starts in the middle of October, and it’s expected to bring a big boost to Sioux Falls and a number of other communities where hunters go to.

“So that’s coming together. Before we know it, those airplanes are going to be coming in filled with hunters, and we’re going to be there to welcome them,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the time between now and hunting season won’t be quiet either, as they see a number of people coming during what they call ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when people travel specifically to avoid peak tourism times, which in turn adds a small boost for businesses and communities.

“We could still see that surge. Just because the ‘real tourism’ season is over, we have another tourism season that’s starting now called our ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when a lot of people travel, bus tour groups, families, that don’t want to travel when there’s so much activity in the state,” Schmidt said. “They like a bit of a quieter visit. So tourism season is not over. It’s going to go on through October and then we’ll fall into the fall season, and go into the holidays for shopping, and dining, and parties and all the things that keep the season going.”

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 23, 2025

Published

11 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

15-37-38-41-64, Mega Ball: 21

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

02-04-12-37-42, Lucky Ball: 10

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South Dakota

Fact brief: Does South Dakota require front license plates?

Published

23 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Fact brief: Does South Dakota require front license plates?

(South Dakota News Watch) – Yes. South Dakota is one of almost 30 states that require front and back license plates on vehicles, though there are a couple of exceptions.

Vehicles that are used for “occasional transportation, public displays, parades and related pleasure hobby activities” can use a rear-only plate. The plates cost $25 in addition to the normal registration cost. To qualify, drivers must provide their odometer reading at the time of registration and not exceed 7,500 miles in a year.

Motorcycles are also only required to have one plate.

Why use rear-only plates? Many owners don’t like how front plates take away from the aesthetic of their vehicles. But dual plates are touted as a way to assist law enforcement with crime.

South Dakota offers more than a dozen different types of plates: construction, emblem, habitat conservation, Dignity sculpture, historical, amateur radio license, disabled person, firefighter, EMS, tribal, tribal veteran, veteran and several military plates.

Source

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Personalized and Specialty Plates

South Dakota Department of Revenue, License plate application

Lakota Times, South Dakota specialty plates available July 1

South Dakota laws, 32-5-98

Thompson Law Injury lawyers, Which states require front license plates?

South Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

Read previous fact briefs.
Read our verification standards and other best practices policies.
Submit a question for us to answer on the South Dakota News Watch Tipline.
Send questions or feedback to factbrief@sdnewswatch.org.

This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they’re published. Contact Michael Klinski at michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 22, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

09-16-23-34-46, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

01-09-18-19-44, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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