After 25 years of operations, casinos in Deadwood, South Dakota have expanded game offerings beyond slots, poker, and blackjack. Starting July 1, players will now be able to place their bets on keno, craps and roulette as well.
Gambling industry analysts and casino operators feel the introduction of these games will help bring in customers who would normally have to go to Iowa or Colorado to find such games. “It changes the image of Deadwood to being a fully-fledged gaming destination competing on a national level,” said Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association.
Gaming in Deadwood, which has been flat for a few years, is up about 4 percent or 5 percent in 2015, but Rodman said that is “not anything to jump and down about.” The introduction of those games is estimated to directly increase revenue about $2 million per year, but that does not take into account the extra customers who will also spend in other areas, or on other games.
