Despite snow and frigid temperatures, the Deadwood, South Dakota gaming industry celebrated its 30-year anniversary on November 1, the day after its famed annual Deadweird Halloween event.
On that date in 1989, the state became the third legal gaming jurisdiction in the U.S.; since then, Deadwood casinos have taken in $24 billion in wagers, with more than $2 billion in gross revenue. The casinos have paid more than $371 million in gaming taxes to local and state governments. Currently 38 casinos operate in Deadwood; they employ 1,175 people with a payroll of about $46 million per year.
In fiscal 2019, the total adjusted gross gaming revenue exceeded $100 million, a 2.86 percent increase from fiscal 2018.
Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman said, “Gaming obviously revolutionized Deadwood, and created a tourism Mecca for the Black Hills.”
South Dakota Commission on Gaming Vice Chair Karen Wagner added, “It came into place at a time where the Deadwood community was struggling in terms of not having a strong revenue. So, I think it was a way to rejuvenate their community.”
Deadwood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lee Harstad noted that Deadwood is one of few cities in the Black Hills where operations remain open throughout the winter.
“We’re always trying to roll out the red carpet, or I guess the white carpet, for our visitors,” he said. “A lot of times when the snow flies up in Daedwood, people think the tourism season is over but you know, it’s not.”
