DEADWOOD, S.D. – Gaming activity in Deadwood continued its upward trend in July, posting a 4.05 percent increase compared to July of last year.
According to the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, the strong month helped push overall gaming activity for the first seven months of 2026 up 8.63 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Slot machine play increased 4.2 percent, while table games rose 2.34 percent. Sports wagering, however, fell 13.44 percent.
Deadwood casinos also distributed more than $2.3 million in free-play incentives during July. Taxable gross gaming revenue totaled $15.8 million, generating approximately $1.42 million in gaming taxes.
Those tax dollars help fund several programs across South Dakota, including the state general fund, tourism promotion efforts, and Lawrence County.
Deadwood Gaming Association Director George Milos credited the city’s special events and overall value for visitors as key factors behind the continued growth, saying officials are encouraged by the strong 2026 numbers and hope the momentum continues through the rest of the year.
