Deadwood is the only place in South Dakota with commercial casinos. The historic gold rush town in the Black Hills has more than a dozen gaming halls along and around Main Street, offering slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, keno and sports betting, with a maximum bet of $1,000. You must be 21 to gamble.
Deadwood Gambling at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulator | South Dakota Commission on Gaming |
| Games allowed | Slot machines, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, keno, sports wagering |
| Maximum bet | $1,000 |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Sports betting | In person at several Deadwood casinos |
| Online casinos | Not legal in South Dakota |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
How Gambling Came to Deadwood
Deadwood grew up in the 1870s Black Hills gold rush, and gold kept the area going for more than a century: the Homestake Mine in neighboring Lead did not stop mining until 2002. As mining faded, the town looked for a new way to pay for the upkeep of its historic buildings. Its answer was legal gambling, approved in 1989. At the time, casino gambling was legal only in Nevada and Atlantic City, and Deadwood was the first small US town to turn to gaming revenue to preserve its historic district.
Gaming started as low-stakes “limited” gambling and has grown since. Today the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, a five-member board appointed by the governor, licenses and regulates the Deadwood casinos. Casinos pay a 9% tax on adjusted gross proceeds. The town itself is small, with a population of about 1,150 at the 2020 census, so most players are visitors from the region and tourists heading to the Black Hills.
Deadwood Casinos
Most Deadwood casinos are small by Las Vegas standards, and many sit inside restored historic buildings on Main Street. What each one offers changes often, so check with the casino before a trip if you want a specific game or table limit. Notable properties include:
- Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort. A sportsbook, live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and more than 240 slot machines.
- Deadwood Mountain Grand. A Holiday Inn Resort hotel with a casino, table games and slots, its own Grand Rewards players club, Dale’s Sportsbook, and an event center that hosts more than 40 concerts and events a year.
- The Lodge at Deadwood. A gaming resort that bills itself as a locals’ favorite, with dining and a sportsbook.
- Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort. Hotel rooms, table games, slots, dining and a sportsbook.
- Gold Dust Casino. Slots, blackjack, Three Card Poker, roulette, a sportsbook and two bars.
- Mineral Palace. Hotel and casino with a sportsbook.
- The Landmark Deadwood. Hotel and casino in a historic property dating to 1894, with a sportsbook.
- Silverado Franklin. A historic hotel and gaming complex on Main Street.
- First Gold Gaming Resort. Casino and hotel.
- Saloon No. 10. A casino and saloon built around the Wild Bill Hickok legend: Hickok was shot during a poker game at the original Saloon No. 10 in August 1876.
- Historic Bullock Hotel. A historic hotel casino with slots from a penny to $5.
Smaller slot halls such as the Bodega and the 777 Casino at the Holiday Inn Express round out the town.
Table Games and Sports Betting in Deadwood
Deadwood casinos can spread blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, and the $1,000 bet limit applies across them. Table availability varies by casino and by day, so call ahead if you want a specific game.
Rules vary from casino to casino and table to table, so read the felt before you sit down. Look for blackjack that pays 3 to 2 rather than 6 to 5, a dealer who stands on soft 17, and the option to double after splitting. The same goes for video poker: pay tables differ from machine to machine, and a full-pay game is worth looking for.
Sports betting is offered in person at a number of Deadwood casinos, including Cadillac Jack’s, Gold Dust, Tin Lizzie, The Lodge at Deadwood, Mineral Palace, The Landmark and Dale’s Sportsbook at Deadwood Mountain Grand.
Before your trip, our game guides explain the rules and odds of the games you are most likely to play:
Online Gambling in South Dakota
South Dakota does not license online casinos. Real-money online casino games are legal and live in only seven states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Offshore sites that accept South Dakota players are not licensed by any US state regulator, which leaves you without a state agency to help with a dispute.
Deadwood Casinos FAQ
What is the maximum bet in Deadwood?
$1,000 per bet. That is the legal limit for Deadwood casinos, regulated by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.
What is the gambling age in Deadwood?
You must be 21 to gamble in a Deadwood casino.
Can you bet on sports in Deadwood?
Yes. Several Deadwood casinos have sportsbooks where you can bet in person.
Does Deadwood have craps and roulette?
Yes. Craps and roulette are legal in Deadwood, and casinos such as Cadillac Jack’s offer them, though table availability can be limited on quiet days.
Please gamble responsibly. If you need help, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.