This heralded a period of expansion for tribal gaming. It became only the third legal gaming hub in the US, after Nevada and Atlantic City.Ī year before the commercial gaming amendment, US Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, (IGRA) which codified Native American gaming rights on tribal land. It allowed commercial gaming venues in Deadwood only, and the city was reborn as a gambling destination. That year, a constitutional amendment was approved that aimed to prevent the municipality of Deadwood from turning into a ghost town. Gambling was banned in 1905, soon after the South Dakota Territories achieved statehood, and it remained so until 1989. His final hand, aces and eights, forever became known as 'the Dead Man's Hand.' Hickok was murdered there in 1876 as he played poker. Deadwood gained a reputation for lawlessness at this time, and its saloons and gambling halls were frequented by the likes of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. That was thanks to the discovery of gold deposits in the city, which led to the Black Hills Gold Rush. Gambling was rife in South Dakota in the late 19th century, and much of it was centered around the city of Deadwood.