The South Dakota Commission on Gaming will begin drafting legislation regarding adding roulette, craps and keno to slots and other games offered at Deadwood casinos, following the passage of a recent ballot referendum. In addition, SDCOG Executive Secretary Larry Eliason said he has been reviewing rules and regulations neighboring states use for those games.
“The industry is supportive of the SDCOG taking the lead on legislation and will work with the commission staff on writing that legislation,” Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman said.
Gaming Laboratories International also recently made a presentation to commissioners about the new games. GLI Senior Director of Development Bill Treger said every slot machine that has been installed in Deadwood and at South Dakota tribal casinos since legalized gaming was introduced 25 years ago has been GLI-certified. Treger’s associate Chad Kornett said the company would provide statistical analyses of devices used in roulette, craps and keno, provide mathematical models and develop internal controls for casinos that want to add the games.
Commissioner Harry Christianson said the new games should be available at Deadwood and tribal casinos on July 1, 2015.
The new games could boost revenues at Deadwood casinos even more than
the 21 percent increase in total gross revenue for October 2014 versus October 2013, according to South Dakota Commission on Gaming data. Revenue was $9,543,643, a rise of $1,656,118. A major blizzard affected profits in October 2013, but even compared to October 2012, Deadwood revenues still rose 11.5 percent. Year-to-date, gaming revenue is up just .65 percent over 2013.
