Casino earnings in Deadwood, South Dakota, registered a decrease of 2.7% compared to the same period last year in May.
In the gaming town of Deadwood, South Dakota, casinos reported a revenue decline in May 2025, with slot machines taking a hit. According to the South Dakota Department of Revenue, slot revenues decreased by 2.7% compared to May 2024, earning $11.6 million this year. However, table game revenues remained stable, with $1.4 million in earnings, a figure identical to that of May 2024.
Blackjack was the most significant contributor to table game revenues, with around $555,700 earned in May 2025. There are 38 blackjack tables in operation in Deadwood casinos. Unfortunately, the report did not provide information about the revenue generated from blackjack in May 2024 for comparison.
The revenue decline in slot machines appears linked to a number of factors, including seasonal trends and shifts in gaming machine performance. Some slot machine denominations, like $0.25, $1.00, and $5.00, experienced revenue decreases, while low-denomination $0.01 slots grew strongly.
In May 2024, slot revenues stood at $12 million, a figure that reflected a nearly 3% drop compared to May 2023. This decline was a short-term downturn before a bounce-back in June.
Interestingly, the report did not provide information about the reasons for the stability of table game revenues in May 2025. Similarly, it did not specify the reasons for the revenue decline in Deadwood casinos in May 2025 or the reasons for the scrutiny of any particular casino.
Regarding penalties for violations of gaming regulations, there is no evidence from the search results that any penalties were imposed on Deadwood casinos for violating gaming regulations in May 2024. The reports focus on revenue figures and gaming performance without mention of fines or sanctions.
However, it was reported that one casino was fined $5,000 by the South Dakota Gaming Commission for following a player on a no-betting list to allow them to play casino games. The report did not specify which casino was fined.
The report, shared by Charlotte Capewell, Special to our website, did not provide information about the revenues from other game types in Deadwood casinos in May 2025 or the reasons for the stability of revenues from other game types in May 2025. It also did not provide information about the impact of the fine on the overall revenues of the casino or the Deadwood casinos as a whole.
Despite the decline in slot machine revenues, Deadwood casinos generated a total statistical win of $13.1 million in May 2025, a figure that was $0.3 million less than the revenue in May 2024. The report did not provide information about the revenues from other types of gambling activities in Deadwood casinos in May 2025.
- Despite the decline in slot machine revenues, casinos in Las Vegas, a renowned gambling hub, might experience different trends, given their diverse offerings ranging from casino-games to sports-betting.
- The gambling industry is not just about casino-and-gambling; lotteries, for instance, have also gained popularity among many, contributing significantly to state revenues.
- Responsible-gambling initiatives are increasingly being emphasized in the gambling world, with casino-personalities advocating for awareness and education to prevent problem gambling.
- The decline in Deadwood's casino revenues in May 2025 does not necessarily reflect the entire gambling landscape; sports-betting revenues may have shown a different trend, given the contemporary interest in sports and betting.
