More People Losing More Money Gambling in Deadwood and Nationwide
Deadwood is raking in gambling revenues, posting 30% more take in April than back in the pre-pandemic days:
Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman said the 2021 gaming handle showed more than a 30% increase compared to April 2019, with the slot machine handle increasing by 31% and the table game handle increasing by 27% compared to April 2019. The cumulative gaming numbers are up more than 37% compared to April 2019.
“Deadwood continues its strong growth in gaming revenues as South Dakota gears up for an exceptional summer tourism season,” said Rodman. “This continued growth trend highlights Deadwood as a gaming destination with national appeal” [Jaci Conrad Pearson, “Deadwood Gaming Sees an Incredible April,” Black Hills Pioneer, 2021.05.24].
Gambling appears to be growing all over the place. Pennsylvania saw record gambling revenues in March and April. Michigan is getting more cash from new suckers customers with the online gaming and sports betting it launched in January. Casinos nationwide posted their best quarter ever in January, February, and March, raking in $11.1 billion.
We fund public works by promoting an addiction that can lead to bankruptcy and suicide, but we can’t get behind funding tax police to make sure rich guys don’t cheat on taxes. We obviously prefer gaming the system to acting as a community to support the system.