A new bill being introduced would allow Deadwood — the only city in South Dakota where Las Vegas‑style gambling is explicitly allowed, to retain more of the gaming tax revenue it generates.
Sen. Randy Deibert, a Deadwood Republican and former Lawrence County commissioner, is sponsoring Senate Bill 102, which would significantly shift how revenue from the state Gaming Commission fund is distributed.
Right now, 70% of that revenue goes to the state’s general fund. Deibert’s bill would gradually reduce the state’s share to 40% in 2027, 30% in 2028, and 20% in 2029 and beyond.
Deadwood’s historic restoration and preservation fund — which currently receives 10% — would see its share rise dramatically under the proposal: 40% in 2027, 50% in 2028, and 60% starting in 2029.
South Dakota voters approved legalized gambling in 1988, and casinos opened the following year. The current revenue‑sharing formula has been in place since 1995.
In 2024, that formula sent over 2.1 million to the state general fund, just under 300 thousand to Deadwood’s historic preservation fund, and just over 300 thousand each to other Lawrence County municipalities and Lawrence County K‑12 school districts.
The 10% shares for municipalities and school districts would remain unchanged under the bill.
Rep. Scott Odenbach of Spearfish is the lead House sponsor, with Rep. Heather Baxter of Rapid City listed as a co‑sponsor as of Tuesday afternoon.
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