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South Dakota casinos enjoyed across-the-board annual growth in April, posting gains in all key areas of handle, according to data from the South Dakota Commission on Gaming (SDCG).
Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association (casinos are legal only in Deadwood), was impressed by sports betting’s growth, which topped 33%. The April 2023 gaming report said:
“2023 continues to be a strong year for Deadwood gaming. We are especially pleased to see the surprising April numbers for sports wagering, led by Major League Baseball”
Slots, table games, and sports betting post gains in April
All three of South Dakota’s gaming sectors saw growth compared to April 2022. Here’s a breakdown of those numbers:
| Gaming Type | April 2023 Handle | April 2023 Revenue | Year-on-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots | $102,232,221.68 | $8,967,947.27 | 7.88% |
| Table Games | $6,593,263.00 | $1,091,361.41 | 5.26% |
| Sports Betting | $493,044.90 | $22,503.27 | 33.79% |
| Total | $109,318,529.58 | $10,081,811.95 | 7.81% |
Penny slots drove most of the slots handle last month, generating more than $82 million in handle, according to SDCG data.
Additionally, a roughly $8 million jump in penny slots handle accounted for all of the handle increase casinos experienced year-on-year.
Sports betting handle jumps more than 33%
On the sports betting side, the industry saw a significant jump in handle and a solid rise in revenue. South Dakota casinos can thank Major League Baseball for that, as MLB bets doubled year-on-year:
| Sport | April 2023 Handle | April 2022 Handle |
|---|---|---|
| MLB | $225,924.08 | $102,654.90 |
| NBA | $107,098.84 | $95,158.30 |
| NCAA Men's Basketball | $63,273.18 | $103,541.96 |
| NHL | $48,788.45 | $23,816.58 |
| MMA/UFC | $25,428.75 | $15,735.15 (MMA only) |
| PGA | $8,473.60 | $14,208.90 |
| NASCAR | $3,741.00 | $2,347.00 |
| Soccer | $3,736.85 | $5,856.01 |
| NFL | $2,908.55 | $2,257.00 |
| Boxing | $2,479.80 | $901.50 |
| Tennis | $691.80 | $1,140.70 |
| USFL | $330.00 | $514.25 |
| Formula 1 | $140.00 | N/A |
| NCAA Men's Football | $30.00 | $35 |
| NCAA Hockey | N/A | $139.03 |
| Total | $493,044.90 | $368,516.80 |
Revenue-wise, sportsbooks posted a $22,503 win before taxes. That number was up significantly from April 2022, when sportsbooks posted a $13,734 loss.
What’s ahead for South Dakota sports betting
We should see some modest handle and revenue gains in May and June, as Deadwood’s tourist season heats up. The city hosts multiple Memorial Day events. Additionally, its street performances kick off Memorial Day weekend.
We’ll likely see the total handle surge past $130 million in May and approach $140 million in June.
