$1.5B wagered in Deadwood in 2022

from Sect. 2 Our Towns 2023

For more than 20 years, the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education, a nonprofit, 501c3 volunteer organization, has provided grants to K-12 teachers to support enrichment learning, innovation in the classroom, and specific needs of students in Spearfish public schools. We could tell you so many stories of how children’s lives are transformed by the many programs the foundation supports.

Eclectic, ever-changing gaming destination caters to crowds of visitors each season

B y J aci c onrad P earson Black HIlls Pioneer DEADWOOD— With 21 properties offering gaming, more than 2,500 gaming devices, and dozens of different gaming platforms, Deadwood’s gaming handle came in at $1.5 billion in 2022, continuing a tradition of eclectic, ever-changing gaming action in the Gulch.

According to year-end statistics released in January by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, Deadwood’s cumulative handle for the year amounted to just under $1.5 billion.

“We are pleased that total handle for 2022 was only off 1.35% from 2021’s record year,” said Deadwood Gaming Association (DGA) Executive Director Mike Rodman.

Rounding out the year, table games had a handle of $86.1 million, a 5.6% decrease compared to 2021 levels, slot machines had a handle of $1.4 billion, a 1.4% decrease compared to 2021 levels, and sports wagering had a handle of $7.2 million. For 2022, the collective handle in Deadwood was $1,494,517,283, down 1.35% compared to the same period in 2021.

Rodman said the goal of Deadwood’s gaming establishments is to remain relevant to their customer base, accomplished by constantly keeping abreast of casino trends and offerings.

“Aside from the multitude of slot machines available, there is also craps, roulette, player banked poker, sports wagering, blackjack with several variations, and player banked poker with several approved variations. As far as slots are concerned, penny slot machines are by far the most popular,” Rodman said. “After slots, the ranking by popularity is: blackjack, house banked poker, sports wagering, player banked poker, craps, and roulette.”

Sports wagering is Deadwood’s newest gaming offering, introduced in September 2021 and featuring six casinos – The Lodge at Deadwood, Cadillac

Jack’s, Tin Lizzie, Gold Dust, Midnight Star, and Deadwood Mountain Grand offering an extensive catalog of sports wagering options, including: baseball, basketball, fighting, football, golf, hockey, Olympic games, racing, rodeo, rugby, soccer, and tennis.

While South Dakota did take a whack at introducing statewide online betting that would be based out of Deadwood, it failed this legislative session but it is expected to be reintroduced in the future.

“As to the failure of HJR 5006, this was not the DGA’s bill, but was brought forward by the Sports Betting Alliance. However, although we are disappointed on the bill’s failure, we supported the bill because we believed the language in the bill protected Deadwood,” Rodman said. “We also know that nationally, the option to be able to place your sports wager through your mobile device has become the most popular option. We believe South Dakota sports wagerers also want this option and we will be working with the DGA’s membership to decide on when and how best to present that option to the voters of South Dakota.”

As Deadwood gaming continues to evolve, its historic draw is unparalleled as a vacation destination.

“Deadwood has developed into a unique integrated gaming destination because of its special blend of history, gaming, entertainment and events, along with dining and retail shopping, nestled in beautiful natural surroundings,” Rodman said. “Deadwood is also known as a ‘hub and spoke’ for vacationers staying in Deadwood and taking daytrips to the regional tourism offerings.”

It is important to point out that underage gaming is prohibited in Deadwood, per state law:

“No licensee may allow any person under 21 years of age to gamble, loiter in the gaming area of a casino or be present at a gambling table, slot machine or other area in which gambling is conducted unless an exemption or deviation from this rule is approved by the executive secretary,” reads the statute. “Nothing shall prevent any person under 21 years of age from passing through a casino to nongaming areas.”

Chartered in 1925, the Lead-Deadwood Kiwanis Club has been actively supporting the Lead and Deadwood communities for over 97 years. We have four groups in the area: Main Club, Noon Club, Lead-Deadwood High School Key Club and Lead-Deadwood Middle School Builders Club.