PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Susan Christian is stepping down as executive secretary for the state government panel that regulates Deadwood casinos as well as horse and dog racing in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Gaming Commission held a special meeting on Monday to accept her resignation. The commission’s chair, Karen Wagner, said Christian is “transitioning into retirement” that takes effect on August 9.
Christian has served as executive secretary since her promotion in September 2019 from operations director, succeeding Larry Eliason.
The commission on Monday named Christian’s deputy, Mark Heltzel, as interim executive secretary starting August 12.
Wagner said notice of the executive secretary vacancy will be posted with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. “And that will be the means for any interested applicants to apply, and we will work on getting that together and posted as soon as possible,” Wagner said.
The commission met last week Thursday. Unapproved minutes from that meeting indicated the next quarterly meeting would be held September 12. The meeting closed with a 90-minute executive session.
Asked by email beforehand about the purpose of the special meeting, Doug Abraham, the commission’s legal counsel, responded, “(A)t this point I do not have more to add than what is posted in the agenda.”
The five-member commission, whose business office is in Spearfish, oversees Deadwood casinos as well as horse and dog racing including simulcast events.
According to the commission’s annual report for fiscal 2023, gamblers bet more than $1.514 billion at Deadwood casinos during that year and won back more than $1.370 billion, an increase of 0.34% over winnings in fiscal 2022.
“Thank you Susan for all you’ve done,” Wagner said.
Similar sentiments were expressed to Christian by Shane Kramme on behalf of the Verendrye Benevolent Association that sponsors the annual horse races at Fort Pierre. “It was a pleasure working with you and thank you,” Kramme said during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
