USA casino guides Index
In South Dakota real gambling games such as slot machines, blackjack, and poker are only permitted in Deadwood and at Native Indian casinos.
However, South Dakota’s bars and taverns are allowed to have up to 10 video lottery terminals that offer the following games: poker, keno, blackjack, and bingo. These machines are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by the state’s lottery commission which receives a share of each machine’s revenue.
The machines accept cash but do not pay out in cash; instead, they print out a receipt which must be taken to a cashier.
Deadwood was once most famous for being the home of Wild Bill Hickok who was shot to death while playing cards in the No. 10 Saloon. The hand he held at the time was two pairs: black aces and eights, which ever since is usually referred to as a 'dead man’s hand'. Wild Bill is buried in the local cemetery along with another local celebrity: Calamity Jane.
Today, Deadwood is still well known for those colorful characters, but it is also known as the home of slot machines, poker, and blackjack ever since voters approved those forms of gambling more than six years ago.
All of the buildings in the downtown area are required to conform with the city’s authentic 1880’s architecture and many of the casinos are located in historic structures. In fact, the No. 10 Saloon is still there and you can actually gamble in the same spot where old Wild Bill bit the dust! One of the casinos, Midnight Star, is owned by movie actor Kevin Costner and his brother, Dan.
South Dakota law limits each casino licensee to a maximum of 30 slot machines in a building and no business is allowed to hold more than three licenses. The state’s gaming laws originally limited blackjack, poker, let it ride, and three-card poker bets to a maximum of $5, however, in late 2000 the law was changed to allow maximum bets of $100.
In addition to the Deadwood casinos, there are also nine Native Indian casinos in South Dakota. These casinos are also subject to the $100 maximum bet restrictions.
Most casinos are open from 8am until 12am Sunday through Thursday and 8am until 2am on the weekends. All casinos normally offer slot machines and video poker. Some casinos also offer: blackjack, let it ride, three-card poker, poker, and bingo. The minimum gambling age is 21 or 18 at Indian casinos that do not serve liquor/alcoholic drinks.
For South Dakota information call (800) 952-3625. For information on Deadwood call the city’s Chamber of Commerce on (800) 999-1876, or visit their website at www.deadwood.org.
[Jun 2003 last update]
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