A new monthly report shows gamblers wagered $140 million in Deadwood last month, which was down about 5% from the same month last year.
About 90% of that money — roughly $127 million — went back to gamblers as winnings. Casinos kept the rest, about $13 million.
Most of the gambling in Deadwood happens at slot machines. Gamblers put about $132 million into the machines in September, which was down 5% from the prior September.
Meanwhile, table game wagering (blackjack, poker, craps and roulette) increased by 1% to $7.6 million. Sports betting — which began in 2021 after voters approved it in 2020 — increased by 38% to just under $1 million.
Taxes on Deadwood gambling produced a total of $1.2 million in September for state government and local governments in Lawrence County.
For the calendar year through September, about $1.2 billion has been wagered in Deadwood, which is up 3% compared to the same period last year.
— South Dakota Searchlight —