Wild Bill and friends came out of a Deadwood casino, guns-a-blazin', to celebrate the town's 20th year of legalized gambling. Town leaders worked to sanction gaming in the old-west town following a fire that nearly destroyed it, and Deadwood residents say gaming is what kept the town from going under.
Two decades later, it's still proving to be a big win for South Dakota's economy.
Since gaming was sanctioned in Deadwood in 1989, Steve Bauman and his family have made the trip from Minnesota more than 30 times.
"Won one jackpot for $1156. Not too bad at all. I'll take it," Bauman said.
The lure of a payout and a friendly atmosphere keeps them coming back twice a year, and it's keeping these machines busy even during tough times.
"It was a good move. It did a lot for the town, still doing stuff for the town," Bauman said.
"It's just our vacation. We don't go to Las Vegas; we go to Deadwood," Dave Metz said.
Deadwood Gaming Association President Ken Gienger says it's repeat gamers like Bauman and Metz who have made the last twenty years so successful. "It's very good to be surviving like we are in Deadwood and continuing to progress as we are," Gienger said.
And he hopes the next 20 years provide continued success for one of the state's largest industries.
"Of course, when our numbers go up, the state tax numbers go up, and all that is good for everybody," Gienger said.
"We love it. We just love Deadwood, and we will return," Bauman said.
Hoping the payouts keep paying off for years to come.
The week's activities include a variety of speakers and programs. It all wraps up with a gala at the Lodge at Deadwood on Saturday night.
