Resurgent summer gambling numbers in Deadwood ended with a lackluster August.
New numbers are out from the state Gaming Commission. Betting in August was down about a half-percent compared to the same month last year.
Betting was up earlier in the summer, especially in June and July. That was after Deadwood casinos closed in April because of the pandemic.
So far this year, betting in Deadwood is 10 percent behind last year’s pace, which equates to a drop of about $81 million. People have wagered about $695 million in the city’s casinos so far this year, compared to about $776 million at this time last year.
In November, South Dakota voters will decide whether to add sports betting to Deadwood. Current gambling in Deadwood includes black jack, poker, craps, roulette and slots.
-Seth Tupper is SDPB's business and economic development reporter.