South Dakota VLT, video lottery terminal, operator-run VLT, video poker, amusement business, slot-style lineup VLT games
PIERRE, SD -- Video lottery terminals in South Dakota have increased average daily revenues from $50.40 to $65.28 by adding slot-style lineup games to the traditional menu of poker, blackjack and keno.
The South Dakota Lottery Commission approved the new games in 2011 and they went online in December. Currently, the state's complement of VLTs stands at more than 1,000 new-style VLTs and approximately 8,000 legacy machines.
Higher revenue is welcome news for South Dakota's VLT industry. VLT earnings have been declining since 2009, with revenues falling 11% or more last year in the wake of a statewide smoking ban. Legislation to increase the bet limit from $2 to $5, while increasing the permissible number of VLTs per location, recently failed in the state Senate. | SEE STORY
