Named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, South Dakota is ranked 46th in terms of both population size and population density.
The state offers a total of 43 casinos and pari-mutuel establishments, which are located in 14 cities. Deadwood is the location to host the largest number of gambling sites across the state – 29. The largest casino gaming facility is Gold Dust Gaming Complex, while the second largest establishment is Royal River Casino Bingo & Motel.
A Closer Look at Industry Numbers
| Monthly Casino Gaming Revenue by Type in South Dakota in US dollars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue | |
| 2015 | April | $830,834 | $8,095,627 | $8,926,461 |
| March | $890,212 | $8,155,022 | $9,045,233 | |
| February | $1,025,192 | $6,609,343 | $7,634,535 | |
| January | $1,052,551 | $6,575,144 | $7,627,695 | |
| 2014 | December | $991,819 | $6,109,808 | $7,101,627 |
| November | $1,082,370 | $5,961,336 | $7,043,706 | |
| October | $948,199 | $8,595,445 | $9,543,644 | |
| September | $904,558 | $8,909,690 | $9,814,248 | |
| August | $1,117,410 | $9,231,346 | $10,348,756 | |
| July | $971,534 | $9,690,791 | $10,662,325 | |
| June | $788,634 | $8,119,405 | $8,908,039 | |
| May | $955,514 | $7,881,107 | $8,836,621 | |
| April | $683,421 | $7,522,210 | $8,205,632 | |
| March | $939,348 | $7,535,998 | $8,475,347 | |
| February | $949,886 | $6,620,607 | $7,570,492 | |
| January | $819,379 | $6,728,956 | $7,548,335 | |
| 2013 | December | $645,852 | $6,035,693 | $6,681,545 |
| November | $793,019 | $6,207,665 | $7,000,684 | |
| October | $670,666 | $7,216,859 | $7,887,526 | |
| September | $842,065 | $9,295,079 | $10,137,145 | |
| August | $1,048,187 | $9,545,634 | $10,593,821 | |
| July | $929,183 | $9,430,918 | $10,360,101 | |
| June | $783,923 | $8,158,069 | $8,941,992 | |
| May | $913,617 | $8,477,017 | $9,390,634 | |
| April | $700,750 | $7,207,287 | $7,908,037 | |
| March | $966,206 | $7,411,906 | $8,378,112 | |
| February | $1,033,568 | $6,861,173 | $7,894,741 | |
| January | $992,322 | $6,852,549 | $7,844,871 | |
| 2012 | December | $1,075,538 | $6,724,169 | $7,799,707 |
| November | $736,699 | $6,755,372 | $7,492,071 | |
| October | $832,951 | $8,601,938 | $9,434,888 | |
| September | $981,993 | $9,285,965 | $10,267,957 | |
| August | $1,180,518 | $10,348,954 | $11,529,472 | |
| July | $938,276 | $9,324,588 | $10,262,865 | |
| June | $655,837 | $7,851,574 | $8,507,412 | |
| May | $744,188 | $8,724,647 | $9,468,835 | |
| April | $809,090 | $7,624,020 | $8,433,110 | |
| March | $928,436 | $7,688,212 | $8,616,648 | |
| February | $852,499 | $7,277,130 | $8,129,629 | |
| January | $690,486 | $6,751,378 | $7,441,864 | |
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
| Monthly Change in Casino Gaming Revenue by Type in % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue | |
| 2015 | April | -6.67 | -0.73 | -1.31 |
| March | -13.17 | 23.39 | 18.48 | |
| February | -2.60 | 0.52 | 0.09 | |
| January | 6.12 | 7.62 | 7.41 | |
| 2014 | December | -8.37 | 2.49 | 0.82 |
| November | 14.15 | -30.65 | -26.19 | |
| October | 4.82 | -3.53 | -2.76 | |
| September | -19.05 | -3.48 | -5.16 | |
| August | 15.02 | -4.74 | -2.94 | |
| July | 23.19 | 19.35 | 19.69 | |
| June | -17.46 | 3.02 | 0.81 | |
| May | 39.81 | 4.77 | 7.69 | |
| April | -27.25 | -0.18 | -3.18 | |
| March | -1.11 | 13.83 | 11.95 | |
| February | 15.93 | -1.61 | 0.29 | |
| January | 26.87 | 11.49 | 12.97 | |
| 2013 | December | -18.56 | -2.77 | -4.56 |
| November | 18.24 | -13.98 | -11.24 | |
| October | -20.35 | -22.36 | -22.19 | |
| September | -19.66 | -2.62 | -4.31 | |
| August | 12.81 | 1.22 | 2.26 | |
| July | 18.53 | 15.60 | 15.86 | |
| June | -14.20 | -3.76 | -4.78 | |
| May | 30.38 | 17.62 | 18.75 | |
| April | -27.47 | -2.76 | -5.61 | |
| March | -6.52 | 8.03 | 6.12 | |
| February | 4.16 | 0.13 | 0.64 | |
| January | -7.74 | 1.91 | 0.58 | |
| 2012 | December | 45.99 | -0.46 | 4.11 |
| November | -11.56 | -21.47 | -20.59 | |
| October | -15.18 | -7.37 | -8.11 | |
| September | -16.82 | -10.27 | -10.94 | |
| August | 25.82 | 10.99 | 12.34 | |
| July | 43.07 | 18.76 | 20.63 | |
| June | -11.87 | -10.01 | -10.15 | |
| May | -8.02 | 14.44 | 12.28 | |
| April | -12.85 | -0.83 | -2.13 | |
| March | 8.91 | 5.65 | 5.99 | |
| February | 23.46 | 7.79 | 9.24 | |
| January | -2.71 | 4.56 | 3.84 | |
Monthly revenue from table games at South Dakota casinos declined for a third consecutive month in April 2015, down 6.67%, to reach USD 830 834. This figure has been the lowest since June 2014, when monthly table revenue was valued at USD 788 634.
April’s figure marked the end of the third three-month string of declines (February-April 2015), which resulted in a total drop of 22.44%. This performance represented a lesser slump compared to the three-month table revenue decline in September-November 2012 (-43.55%) and the three-month revenue drop in April-June 2012 (-32.75%).
Within the period January 2012-April 2015, monthly table revenue rose the most in December 2012 (45.99%) and fell at the steepest monthly rate of 27.47% in April 2013.
Table revenue, on the other hand, soared 21.57% in April 2015 compared to April 2014, 18.56% compared to April 2013 and 2.69% compared to April 2012.
Monthly revenue from slot machines at South Dakota casinos fell for the first time in the past five months in April, down 0.73%, to reach USD 8.095 million. That figure, however, represented a 7.62% increase compared to the April 2014 level, a 12.33% increase compared to the April 2013 revenue level and was 6.19% above the slot revenue reported in April 2012.
Within the period January 2012-April 2015, monthly slot revenue surged the most in March 2015 (23.39%) and dropped at the sharpest monthly rate of 30.65% in November 2014. The latter marked the end of the third four-month string of declines (August-November 2014), which resulted in a total drop of 42.40%. This performance exceeded the four-month slot revenue decline in September-December 2013 (-41.74%) and the four-month revenue slump in September-December 2012 (-39.57%).
Monthly revenue from all casino gaming options in South Dakota decreased for the first time in five months in April, down 1.31%, to reach USD 8.926 million. The latter, however, represented a 8.78% increase compared to the April 2014 level, a 12.88% increase compared to the April 2013 revenue level and was 5.85% above the total revenue reported in April 2012.
Within the period January 2012-April 2015, monthly total casino gaming revenue rose the most in July 2012 (20.63%) and fell at the steepest monthly rate of 26.19% in November 2014. This drop came in consonance with the largest monthly slot revenue drop, as slot machines still remained a dominant source of revenue for casinos in the state. November 2014 figure marked the end of the second four-month string of declines (August-November 2014), which resulted in a total drop of 37.06%. This performance represented a lesser slump compared to the four-month total revenue decline in September-December 2013 (-42.30%).
| Monthly Revenue from Slot Machines by Type in US dollars (2015) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Type | Revenue | Revenue Share | Total Slot Revenue |
| April | $25.00 | $129,758 | 1.60 | $8,095,627 |
| $5.00 | $300,895 | 3.72 | ||
| $1.00 | $633,031 | 7.82 | ||
| $0.50 | $35,407 | 0.44 | ||
| $0.25 | $486,005 | 6.00 | ||
| $0.10 | $7,068 | 0.09 | ||
| City Slots | $362,499 | 4.48 | ||
| $0.05 | $74,673 | 0.92 | ||
| $0.01 | $6,066,290 | 74.93 | ||
| March | $25.00 | $167,374 | 2.05 | $8,155,022 |
| $5.00 | $242,963 | 2.98 | ||
| $1.00 | $785,680 | 9.63 | ||
| $0.50 | $28,952 | 0.36 | ||
| $0.25 | $463,503 | 5.68 | ||
| $0.10 | $6,413 | 0.08 | ||
| City Slots | $317,866 | 3.90 | ||
| $0.05 | $93,474 | 1.15 | ||
| $0.01 | $6,048,797 | 74.17 | ||
| February | $25.00 | $98,426 | 1.49 | $6,609,343 |
| $5.00 | $267,043 | 4.04 | ||
| $1.00 | $660,523 | 9.99 | ||
| $0.50 | $22,662 | 0.34 | ||
| $0.25 | $469,413 | 7.10 | ||
| $0.10 | $8,451 | 0.13 | ||
| City Slots | $245,772 | 3.72 | ||
| $0.05 | $66,689 | 1.01 | ||
| $0.01 | $4,770,365 | 72.18 | ||
| January | $25.00 | $123,539 | 1.88 | $6,575,144 |
| $5.00 | $267,050 | 4.06 | ||
| $1.00 | $663,683 | 10.09 | ||
| $0.50 | $28,116 | 0.43 | ||
| $0.25 | $421,385 | 6.41 | ||
| $0.10 | $3,650 | 0.06 | ||
| City Slots | $304,599 | 4.63 | ||
| $0.05 | $77,368 | 1.18 | ||
| $0.01 | $4,685,753 | 71.26 | ||
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
Monthly revenue from slot machines with denomination of 1 cent rose a third successive month in April, up 0.29%, to reach USD 6.066 million. However, this has been the slowest monthly rate of increase during the period January-April 2015.
1-cent slot machines have been the dominant factor behind total slot revenue formation, while their revenue share has expanded on a consistent basis during the period in question.
10-cent slot machines have demonstrated almost insignificant presence in terms of revenue share, as, on average, they accounted for 0.09% of total slot revenue during the period January-April 2015.
1-dollar slot machines have gradually reduced their revenue share from 10.09% in January to 7.82% in April 2015, while revenue shares of 25-dollar, 5-dollar and 50-cent slots remained little changed.
| Monthly Revenue from Table Games by Type in US dollars (2015) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Type | Revenue | Revenue Share | Total Table Revenue |
| April | Blackjack | $290,597 | 34.98 | $830,834 |
| House Banked Poker | $439,391 | 52.89 | ||
| Player Banked Poker | $100,847 | 12.14 | ||
| March | Blackjack | $367,604 | 41.29 | $890,212 |
| House Banked Poker | $415,922 | 46.72 | ||
| Player Banked Poker | $106,685 | 11.98 | ||
| February | Blackjack | $460,513 | 44.92 | $1,025,192 |
| House Banked Poker | $460,030 | 44.87 | ||
| Player Banked Poker | $104,649 | 10.21 | ||
| January | Blackjack | $486,900 | 46.26 | $1,052,551 |
| House Banked Poker | $456,313 | 43.35 | ||
| Player Banked Poker | $109,338 | 10.39 | ||
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
Monthly revenue from table games such as blackjack slipped for a third consecutive month in April 2015, down 20.95%, to reach USD 290 597. This has been the sharpest monthly rate of decrease during the period January-April 2015.
Blackjack accounted for the largest portion of total table revenue in January and February 2015, but however, its share has decreased on a consistent basis.
Monthly revenue from house banked poker rose 5.64% in April to reach USD 439 391. It followed a 9.59% drop in March compared to February.
Revenue share of house banked poker has increased consistently to become a dominant factor in total table revenue formation in March and April.
Revenue share of player banked poker has shown a slight expansion during the period in question.
| Casino Gaming Revenue by Type and Calendar Year in South Dakota in US dollars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2014 | $11,152,072 | $92,906,699 | $104,058,771 |
| 2013 | $10,319,360 | $92,699,849 | $103,019,209 |
| 2012 | $10,426,511 | $96,957,948 | $107,384,459 |
| 2011 | $8,911,243 | $91,986,745 | $100,897,988 |
| 2010 | $8,769,134 | $97,418,227 | $106,187,361 |
| 2009 | $8,370,063 | $93,527,832 | $101,897,895 |
| 2008 | $8,588,001 | $93,675,884 | $102,263,886 |
| 2007 | $9,028,459 | $89,194,101 | $98,222,560 |
| 2006 | $8,280,846 | $81,547,498 | $89,828,345 |
| 2005 | $8,202,349 | $75,355,503 | $83,557,852 |
| 2004 | $7,927,316 | $70,092,004 | $78,019,320 |
| 2003 | $6,785,335 | $63,590,001 | $70,375,336 |
| 2002 | $6,117,503 | $60,159,879 | $66,277,382 |
| 2001 | $5,161,577 | $53,447,529 | $58,609,106 |
| 2000 | $3,181,632 | $49,291,598 | $52,473,230 |
| 1999 | $2,940,683 | $44,607,792 | $47,548,474 |
| 1998 | $2,968,662 | $40,879,449 | $43,848,111 |
| 1997 | $3,317,959 | $40,169,878 | $43,487,836 |
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
| Annual Change in Casino Gaming Revenue by Type in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2014 | 8.07 | 0.22 | 1.01 |
| 2013 | -1.03 | -4.39 | -4.07 |
| 2012 | 17.00 | 5.40 | 6.43 |
| 2011 | 1.62 | -5.58 | -4.98 |
| 2010 | 4.77 | 4.16 | 4.21 |
| 2009 | -2.54 | -0.16 | -0.36 |
| 2008 | -4.88 | 5.02 | 4.11 |
| 2007 | 9.03 | 9.38 | 9.34 |
| 2006 | 0.96 | 8.22 | 7.50 |
| 2005 | 3.47 | 7.51 | 7.10 |
| 2004 | 16.83 | 10.22 | 10.86 |
| 2003 | 10.92 | 5.70 | 6.18 |
| 2002 | 18.52 | 12.56 | 13.08 |
| 2001 | 62.23 | 8.43 | 11.69 |
| 2000 | 8.19 | 10.50 | 10.36 |
| 1999 | -0.94 | 9.12 | 8.44 |
| 1998 | -10.53 | 1.77 | 0.83 |
Within the period 1997-2014, total revenue from table games at South Dakota casinos reached its highest annual level in 2014, rising 8.07% compared to 2013, to USD 11.152 million. Table revenue in the state rose in 12 out of the past 17 years, with the most remarkable growth rate being observed in 2001 (62.33%).
Within the same period, total revenue from slot machines at South Dakota casinos grew in 14 out of 17 years, among which 11 have been successive. The steepest annual rate of revenue growth was recorded in 2002 (12.56%), while the most notable annual decrease was observed in 2011 (5.58%).
An identical performance to that above is to be discerned with total casino gaming revenue during the period. In 14 out of the past 17 years a growth in casino revenue was reported, while between 1998 and 2008 it was consistent. The sharpest annual rate of revenue growth was registered in 2002 (13.08%), while the most notable annual decrease was observed in 2011 (4.98%).
| Revenue Share by Type and Calendar Year in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total |
| 2014 | 10.72 | 89.28 | 100 |
| 2013 | 10.02 | 89.98 | 100 |
| 2012 | 9.71 | 90.29 | 100 |
| 2011 | 8.83 | 91.17 | 100 |
| 2010 | 8.26 | 91.74 | 100 |
| 2009 | 8.21 | 91.79 | 100 |
| 2008 | 8.40 | 91.60 | 100 |
| 2007 | 9.19 | 90.81 | 100 |
| 2006 | 9.22 | 90.78 | 100 |
| 2005 | 9.82 | 90.18 | 100 |
| 2004 | 10.16 | 89.84 | 100 |
| 2003 | 9.64 | 90.36 | 100 |
| 2002 | 9.23 | 90.77 | 100 |
| 2001 | 8.81 | 91.19 | 100 |
| 2000 | 6.06 | 93.94 | 100 |
| 1999 | 6.18 | 93.82 | 100 |
| 1998 | 6.77 | 93.23 | 100 |
| 1997 | 7.63 | 92.37 | 100 |
Table games in South Dakota have gradually boosted their presence in terms of revenue share during the period 1997-2014. On average, table games accounted for 8.71% of total casino gaming revenue during the period, with the highest share being reported in 2014 (10.72%) and the lowest share – in 2000 (6.06%).
Slot machines have retreated in terms of revenue share during the period 1997-2014, a tendency which can be observed in other states as well. On average, slot machines accounted for 91.29% of total casino gaming revenue during the period, with the highest share being registered in 2000 (93.94%) and the lowest share – in 2014 (89.28%).
