Gaming Revenues Down in Deadwood after Midnight Star Closure

Fri, Oct 27, 2017

Industry insiders said the sudden closure of actor/director Kevin Costner's Midnight Star Casino (l.) in Deadwood, South Dakota is one of the reasons gaming revenue dropped in September. The South Dakota Commission on Gaming said slots wagers fell 2.8 percent to $95.2 million, and year-to-date numbers dropped 2.4 percent. Table games, however, rose 8.6 percent.

An industry spokesperson said the August closure of the Midnight Star Casino in Deadwood, South Dakota, owned by actor/director Kevin Costner, is one reason gaming revenue showed a drop in September.

Wagers fell 2.8 percent to $95.2 million on slots in September 2017 compared to September 2016; year-to-date gamers bet $797.6 million on slots, down 2.4 percent from September 2016, according to South Dakota Commission on Gaming figures.

However, table game players wagered $6.2 million in September, up 8.6 percent over September 2016; year-to-date bets totaled $52.7 million, a drop of 3.2 percent from September 2016.