First Gold Gaming Resort is a slot-focused casino hotel at 270 Main Street in Deadwood, South Dakota, about a mile from the Historic District. Its main appeal is convenience: 24-hour gambling, two lodging options, casual dining, and free parking. The trade-off is a location outside the heart of downtown nightlife, with no on-site pool or hot tub. I see it as a better fit for drivers and overnight slot players than for visitors planning walkable bar-hopping or a resort-amenity vacation.
First Gold at a glance
| Address | 270 Main Street, Deadwood, SD 57732 |
|---|---|
| Property type | Casino hotel |
| Casino hours | 24 hours daily |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Gaming focus | Slots across nine casino rooms |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | No |
| Hotel options | First Gold rooms and suites; Travelodge by Wyndham rooms and suites |
| Restaurant | Horseshoe Restaurant |
| Parking | Free on-site parking; covered parking available |
| Pool and hot tub | Neither is available on-site |
| Hotel-room smoking policy | Non-smoking rooms |
| Rewards program | Gold Club |
| Phone | 605-578-9777 |
| Official website | www.firstgold.com |
| Information collected | October 13, 2026 |
What kind of casino is First Gold?
Think straightforward casino hotel, not sprawling destination resort. First Gold combines gambling, lodging, and a sit-down restaurant, while Deadwood and the surrounding Black Hills provide much of the rest of the vacation.
The Main Street address needs a little explanation. The official property website places First Gold about a mile from the Historic District, rather than immediately among downtown’s busiest saloons and casinos. That is a manageable distinction on a driving trip, but a meaningful one if you want to walk between several establishments each evening.
Deadwood’s visitor-directory listing highlights the nearby Days of ’76 Event Center, along with the property’s dining, bar and lounge area, and free parking. The Deadwood 3 Wheeler Rally takes place at the Deadwood Event Complex across from First Gold, making the hotel worth comparing for a rally stay. Check finalized event dates before reserving.
Casino floor and games
Slots are the clearest reason to gamble here. First Gold describes nine casino rooms filled with machines. That is not nine separate destination casinos, nor is it a gaming-table count.
The official site advertises titles including Coyote Moon, Cats, Wolf Run, Planet Moolah, and Kong. Treat these as examples, not a guarantee that a particular machine will be available when you arrive. A third-party directory estimates about 300 slots, but the supplied official information does not give a current inventory.
Slots and video poker
For a machine-centered evening, the arrangement is convenient: play, have dinner, and return to your room without driving elsewhere. A small denomination does not necessarily mean a small total bet, though. Check the credits, paylines, and qualifying wager before pressing spin.
If video poker is your main game, ask about current availability and inspect the individual paytable. A game’s name alone does not establish its return, and guest comments about wins or losses do not establish machine payout rates.
Table games
I would not choose First Gold for a table-game trip without calling first. The supplied official material emphasizes slots and does not establish a live-table lineup, staffing schedule, or minimum bets. Ask about your specific game rather than assuming a 24-hour casino means a staffed blackjack table around the clock.
Poker room
First Gold has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. Video poker and poker-themed casino games are different offerings.
Sportsbook
First Gold has no on-property retail sportsbook. Watching sports in a lounge is not the same as having a betting counter or retail betting kiosks.
Hotel: First Gold versus Travelodge
The official rooms page presents two lodging choices: First Gold and Travelodge by Wyndham. Their room categories and pet policies are not interchangeable.
| Your priority | What to compare |
|---|---|
| A kitchen-equipped suite | First Gold lists a queen suite with a sofa sleeper and kitchen. |
| Two bathrooms | Travelodge’s king and two-queen suites list two bathrooms, a sofa sleeper, a recliner, a desk, and a fireplace. |
| Bringing a pet | First Gold lists no pets allowed. Travelodge lists designated king and two-queen pet rooms. |
| Accessible accommodations | Travelodge lists accessible queen and two-queen room categories. Request the specific features you need. |
That is more useful than choosing solely by hotel name. A kitchen may matter on a longer stay; two bathrooms may be more valuable when several adults share a suite.
Listed conveniences include free Wi-Fi, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, an exercise room, and a business center. Check-in is 3 p.m., and check-out is 11 a.m. The hotel does not provide smoking rooms, and there is no on-site pool or hot tub.
Before booking, establish the lodging building, room category, and route to the casino. The property has an elevator, but that alone does not answer every question about step-free access or walking distance.
Illustrative lodging costs
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| First Gold Gaming Resort: Distance from historic district | The official site places the resort a mile from the Deadwood Historic District, making transportation relevant when comparing it with downtown lodging. |
| First Gold casino: Operating hours | The official FAQ publishes around-the-clock casino access; restaurant hours are shorter. |
| First Gold casino: Age and underage transit policy | Gambling requires age 21 or older. Underage visitors may pass through but may not linger in gaming areas, even with an adult. |
| First Gold hotel: Published pet policy | The First Gold accommodation list says pets are not allowed, unlike the Travelodge list, which names pet-room categories. |
| Travelodge accommodations marketed by First Gold: Pet-room and accessible-room categories | The second accommodation list includes king and two-queen pet rooms, plus queen and two-queen rooms labeled handicapped. Fees, availability, and specific accessibility features are not supplied here. |
| First Gold hotel suites: Kitchen-equipped suite category | First Gold lists a queen suite with a sofa sleeper and kitchen, a practical distinction from the fireplace and two-bathroom suites in the Travelodge accommodation list. |
| Travelodge accommodations marketed by First Gold: Suite layout | Both king and two-queen suite categories list a sofa sleeper, two bathrooms, a recliner, a desk, and a fireplace. |
| First Gold Gaming Resort: Parking cost and covered parking | The property advertises free and covered parking, avoiding a separate published parking charge in this source. |
| Travelodge parking garage: Electric-vehicle charging equipment | The accommodation page identifies two JuiceBox charging stations on the garage’s first level. It does not publish a charging price or guarantee availability. |
| First Gold Gaming Resort: Pool and hot tub policy | Neither a pool nor a hot tub is on-site; the official FAQ instead points visitors to Deadwood’s Recreation and Aquatics Center. |
| First Gold hotel: Smoking-room availability | The official FAQ says smoking rooms are not provided. |
| First Gold Gaming Resort: Downtown transport versus concert-package transport | Ordinary downtown transport is described as cabs or the city trolley, with a stop in front of First Gold. Concert-package guests receive transport to Deadwood Mountain Grand. |
| Horseshoe Restaurant: Weekday and weekend service windows | Sunday–Thursday service runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday service runs from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. These are not overnight dining hours. |
| Horseshoe Restaurant: All-day breakfast restriction | All-day breakfast applies during restaurant operating hours, not throughout the casino’s overnight operation. |
| Horseshoe Restaurant: October dinner-special price and service window | The dining page advertises a $12.95 T-bone dinner with a choice of side and house vegetables, available from 4 p.m. until closing as an October special. |
| First Gold Gold Club: Membership progression and cash-back threshold | The published progression is Gold Card, 24 Karat Club, and Royal Club. Cash back starts after the first 500 points, but this passage does not establish a cash value or wagering requirement per point. |
| First Gold concert getaway: Published package inclusions | The package combines show tickets, round-trip transport, overnight lodging, breakfast, and $20.00 in promotional play. No package price is supplied, so its savings cannot be calculated. |
| First Gold Gaming Resort on KAYAK: Recent weekday-versus-weekend published averages | KAYAK lists recent average nightly prices of $90.00 for Sunday–Thursday and $139.00 for Friday–Saturday. These are retrospective averages, not guaranteed reservation prices. |
| First Gold reservations listed by KAYAK: Cancellation and prepayment variability | Cancellation and prepayment terms vary by room type and provider; the source does not support a single universal cancellation deadline. |
| KAYAK’s First Gold review summary: Attributed positive and negative review themes | KAYAK’s explicitly AI-generated summary reports praise for location, restaurant value, cleanliness, and staff, alongside complaints about room size, noise, beds, and service delays. These are aggregator-summary themes, not independently collected guest testimony. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrative two-night weekday lodging budget using KAYAK’s recent average | $180.00 | Use this as a weekday planning benchmark, not a bookable quote; confirm the final reservation total and cancellation terms. |
| Illustrative two-night weekend lodging budget using KAYAK’s recent average | $278.00 | The published weekend benchmark is higher than the weekday benchmark, so flexible travelers should compare both date patterns before booking. |
| Recent weekend-versus-weekday nightly price difference | $49.00 per night | This comparison shows the recent date-pattern gap at the same property, not guaranteed savings for a particular room or future stay. |
| Two October T-bone dinner specials: food subtotal | 25.9 US dollars, food subtotal before tax, drinks, and tip | The advertised special provides a reproducible dinner subtotal, but it is an October offer available during the stated evening service window, not a permanent menu price. |
Research references: firstgold.com 1, firstgold.com 2, firstgold.com 3, firstgold.com 4, kayak.com.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-13. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
This comparison uses published room distinctions, service hours, and supplied calculations. It is an analysis of public information, not a firsthand hotel test or an exclusive rate database.
In the supplied October 13, 2026, snapshot, KAYAK’s property listing showed average nightly prices over the preceding two weeks of $90.00 for Sunday through Thursday and $139.00 for Friday and Saturday. the calculations give these planning benchmarks:
- Two weekday nights: $180.00.
- Two weekend nights: $278.00.
- Difference in the published nightly averages: $49.00.
These are illustrative estimates, not bookable quotes, guaranteed savings, or confirmed final totals. Room category, event dates, taxes, mandatory charges, and cancellation terms still matter. Compare weekday and weekend dates before deciding what fits your budget.
Also compare First Gold’s complete reservation cost plus downtown transportation with a more central hotel. Free parking is useful, but it does not automatically make the overall stay cheaper.
Horseshoe Restaurant: dining and hours
The Horseshoe Restaurant is the main on-site dining option, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, comfort food, and USDA Choice prime rib. Breakfast is available throughout restaurant operating hours.
- Sunday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The important distinction: all-day breakfast is not all-night breakfast. The casino remains open after the restaurant closes, so plan dinner before settling into a late session.
The supplied dining page also advertises an October T-bone dinner special for $12.95, available from 4 p.m. until closing. If offered on your dates, two dinners would have an illustrative food subtotal of $25.90 before tax, drinks, and tip. The page does not establish the offer’s year or continuing availability, so confirm it rather than treating it as a permanent menu price.
Secondary guest summaries include praise for steak meals and dining value, alongside reports of disappointing food and slow service. I would treat the restaurant as a useful convenience with encouraging feedback, not a guaranteed highlight. Older directory references to a buffet should not determine your meal plans.
Entertainment and amenities
First Gold’s published concert-getaway packages include show tickets at Deadwood Mountain Grand, round-trip transportation, overnight lodging, breakfast, and $20.00 in promotional play. These are packages for entertainment elsewhere, not a promise of a show inside the hotel. Compare the package price with booking separately; the published information does not support a savings claim.
Travelodge also lists a 24-hour gift shop with souvenirs, snacks, drinks, frozen food, and sundries. That may help with something you forgot, but it is not an overnight restaurant.
If swimming or extensive leisure facilities are central to your trip, I would look elsewhere. First Gold says it has neither a pool nor a hot tub on-site.
Parking, transportation, and visit planning
Use 270 Main Street, Deadwood, SD 57732, for navigation. The property advertises free on-site and covered parking, although guest summaries differ on parking convenience. Free does not guarantee your preferred space.
The Travelodge amenities list identifies two JuiceBox EV charging stations on the parking garage’s first level. Confirm access, costs, compatibility, and availability before relying on them.
A Deadwood Trolley stop is in front of First Gold, and the property identifies local taxis as another downtown option. The Deadwood Trolley listing publishes a fare of $2.00 per ride, payable in cash or with a $2.00 trolley token. Check current operating times and plan your return ride.
Concert-package transportation is a separate benefit. Do not assume a general downtown or airport shuttle is included with a standard room booking.
- Gambling age: You must be 21 or older. Under-21 visitors may pass through the casino but may not linger in gaming areas, even with an adult.
- Smoking: Hotel rooms are non-smoking. This does not establish the casino-floor policy; ask if smoke exposure is a deciding factor.
- Pets: Reserve an approved Travelodge pet-room category and confirm fees and restrictions. First Gold’s own lodging list says no pets.
- Accessibility: Request the bathroom, entrance, elevator, and parking features you need.
- Airport travel: Arrange transportation in advance rather than assuming an airport shuttle is included.
- Cancellation: Use the terms attached to your room and booking channel, not a presumed property-wide deadline.
Gold Club rewards
The Gold Club has three published membership levels: Gold, 24 Karat, and Royal. The property says cash back becomes available after the first 500 points, but the supplied information does not establish the dollar value per point or the wagering needed to earn them.
Ask before assigning a value to an offer. Understand promotional deadlines, and keep your gambling budget separate from your hotel budget. A dining benefit is not much of a bargain if earning it requires more play than you planned.
Guest praise and common complaints
The available feedback comes from secondary summaries: KAYAK’s AI-generated review summary and Wanderlog’s review summary. Both describe recurring praise for clean rooms, helpful staff, and dining, alongside less satisfying experiences. These summaries can lose context or contain errors; they do not establish a representative consensus or a reliable recent trend.
Room comfort is a notable disagreement. Positive reports sit alongside complaints about small rooms, uncomfortable beds, and dated accommodations. Some describe quiet stays; others mention thin walls, street noise, or early housekeeping knocks. Parking and restaurant service also receive mixed feedback.
My takeaway is to make room selection part of the booking conversation. Ask about the condition and location of the category you are buying, request a quieter room if sleep is a priority, and leave some flexibility between dinner and an event.
Who First Gold is best for
First Gold is most appealing to overnight slot players, drivers exploring the Black Hills, and visitors attending nearby Days of ’76 events. It is less compelling for travelers who want immediate access to downtown nightlife or substantial pool time.
Our take
I see First Gold as a sensible choice for slot-focused visitors who want lodging, casual dining, and free parking together, especially on a driving trip through the Black Hills. Secondary guest summaries praise cleanliness, helpful staff, and restaurant value, but room comfort, noise, and service experiences are mixed. The trolley stop helps with the roughly one-mile downtown gap; visitors prioritizing walkable nightlife or an on-site pool should compare other properties and weigh transportation alongside the complete room price.
Frequently asked questions
Is First Gold Gaming Resort open 24 hours?
Yes. The casino is open 24 hours daily. The Horseshoe Restaurant and other services have separate schedules.
Does First Gold have a poker room or sportsbook?
No. First Gold has neither a dedicated player-versus-player poker room nor an on-property retail sportsbook.
Does First Gold have a pool?
No. There is no on-site pool or hot tub.
What is the minimum gambling age?
You must be 21 or older to gamble. Younger visitors may pass through the casino but may not linger in gaming areas.
Can you bring a pet?
Travelodge lists designated pet rooms; First Gold’s own lodging list says no pets allowed. Confirm the room category, fees, and restrictions before booking.
Is breakfast served all day?
Yes, during Horseshoe Restaurant operating hours. That does not mean breakfast is available overnight or included with every room reservation.
Can you reach downtown without driving?
Yes. There is a trolley stop in front, and the property identifies local taxis as another option. Check schedules and arrange your return ride.
Sources and related reading
Sources are linked at their relevant uses above. Property details and cost inputs reflect information collected October 13, 2026. Guest impressions are attributed secondary summaries, and cost examples are illustrative, not reservation quotes or firsthand spending records.
Comparing properties? See our guide to South Dakota casinos.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room or on-site sportsbook.