South Dakota casinos witness a 5.4% rise in monthly revenue during March compared to the previous year.
Title: Boom in South Dakota Casinos' Revenue: Breaking Down Slots, Table Games, and Sports Betting
Written Exclusively for Our Website by Charlotte Capewell
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March's Gaming GainsUnveiled by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, the gaming handle battles across slot machines, table games, and sports betting totaled an impressive $134 million for March — a notable 5.4% hike compared to the $127 million from the previous year.
Slot machines ruled the roost, gearing up 5.6% to $123.7 million, from $117.1 million in March 2024. Table games, however, slightly dipped 0.5% to $8.7 million, down from $8.76 million. Blackjack remained the primary moneymaker, raking in $4.13 million, while blackjack and poker combined for a healthy $3.6 million.
Sports betting turnover registered a substantial leap of nearly 27%, jumping from last year's $1.24 million to $1.58 million.
The bulk of the sports betting action came from NCAA Men's basketball wagers, propelled by the annual March Madness mayhem, bringing in $1.2 million, and NBA bets, fueled by the NBA regular season wrap-up, contributing a respectable $149,000.
Keeping It in the StateAs the second-most gambling-addicted state in 2025 (according to recent data)[4], South Dakota boasts a robust betting culture, with both players and casinos benefiting from this engagement. With gaming revenue trends fluctuating in various areas across the U.S.[1][5], South Dakota's thriving casino scene mirrors the overall industry's mixed results for the month of March.
[1] "March Gaming Revenue Shows Mixed Results, GamingToday, [accessed 2025-04-17]"[2] "South Dakota Sports Betting Handle - January and February 2025", South Dakota Commission on Gaming, [accessed 2025-04-17][3] "Sports Betting Provides Growing Share of U.S. Gaming Revenue", GamblingCompliance, [accessed 2025-04-17][4] "South Dakota Ranks Second-Most Gambling-addicted State in 2025", Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, [accessed 2025-04-17][5] "Gaming Revenue Dips in Some Categories, Rises in Others: Analysis of National Trends", Gaming Finance, [accessed 2025-04-17]
- South Dakota's vibrant casino scene, reflected in the revenue from casino-and-gambling establishments, showed a significant increase in March, reaching a total of $134 million.
- Slot machines accounted for the largest share of this revenue, with a 5.6% growth compared to the previous year, totaling $123.7 million.
- In contrast, table games showed a slight dip of 0.5%, but blackjack remained the primary moneymaker, generating $4.13 million.
- Sports betting turnover saw a substantial leap of nearly 27%, with NCAA Men's basketball wagers during March Madness accounting for $1.2 million and NBA bets contributing $149,000.
