The city of Deadwood, located in South Dakota, is a reference point when it comes to gaming in the United States. In September, the South Dakota Gaming Commission reported that betting in Deadwood had reached the $140 million mark.
This figure, although impressive, represents a drop of 4.64% compared to the same period last year. Players bet on slot machines, with a total of US$131.5 million, and US$7.6 million on table games.
Slot machines saw a 5.2% decrease in revenue, while table games saw a 1.4% increase.
The Rise of Sports Betting in Deadwood
Sports betting has proven to be a growing source of revenue for Deadwood. In September, sports betting generated nearly $980,000, a notable 37.7% increase from the previous year.
The NFL was the main attraction for bettors, with bets totaling $425,937.96. NCAA Football and Major League Baseball (MLB) also attracted significant attention, with bets of $324,804.06 and $155,641.77, respectively.
Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association, noted that despite the drop in September revenue, the year-to-date increase was 2.63%.
He also highlighted the growth of sports betting, which saw a cumulative increase of 25.25% throughout the year.
Deadwood: The Only Legal Gaming Territory in South Dakota
Not only does Deadwood stand out for its rich history and cultural heritage, but it also represents the only territory in South Dakota that offers legalized gaming.
The city introduced and legalized sports betting in 2020. However, there is one caveat: players interested in placing sports bets must be present at a casino in Deadwood to participate.
