With origins dating back as far as 1875, the First Gold Gaming Resort is a real favourite among Deadwood residents and visitors alike. Its varied games selection includes over 300 slot machines and live table games, and there are plenty of promotions and loyalty benefits to be enjoyed here too. Learn about all this and more in our number one First Gold Gaming Resort review.
You’d be forgiven for thinking our review only goes as far as to offer a thorough inquiry into the gaming facilities on offer here. While you’re partly correct, we don’t stop there. We take a close look at the hotel and dining options, general company info, local attractions and events, and loads more. For a quick reference, skip down to our FAQ section and get fast answers to common queries.
What to Expect at the First Gold Gaming Resort
Contents
Anyone who’s ever been to visit the First Gold Gaming Resort will surely have been impressed by the history. The venue stands on the exact site at which gold was first discovered way back in 1875, an event which ushered in Deadwood’s very own gold rush. To discover more about the resort’s rich heritage and other cool facts and details, make use of the content navigation tool above.
First Gold Gaming Resort Casino Games
The First Gold Gaming Resort games selection is undoubtedly one of its strongest features, particularly when it comes to slots. With over 300 varied games, you’ll find traditional three-reel vegas slots, up-to-date video slots, and progressive jackpot slots. One particular progressive slot, Wheel of Fortune, has paid out some huge wins in excess of $800,000! There are also penny machines and $100 machines, so no matter your budget, you can always have a go on the reels!
The First Gold Gaming Resort games selection also includes classic live table games, so card players can rest easy! Live blackjack and a couple of variations of poker are among the options here; low and high priced buy ins and bet limits available also. There are quite a few tables in the games room and a variety of games taking place throughout the week, so everyone is welcome to come and have a go! See the full games catalogue in the list element below.
- Traditional Slots
- Video Slots
- Progressive Jackpot Slots
- Live Blackjack
- Mississippi Stud
- 3 Card Poker
- Video Lottery
The full list of First Gold Gaming Resort games shown above is there to give you a complete overview of what you can expect to find at the venue. Overall, we’d say the selection is pretty solid. You couldn’t really ask for any more slots, and although some favourites such as roulette and craps are missing, the games that are available cater for all players, regardless of your budget.
No Online Games at Present
Due to the strict laws currently enforced in the state of South Dakota (S.D), online gambling is pretty much non existent in Deadwood. Watch out for venues or websites based in the state that advertise these kinds of services; if there are real money, online transactions taking place, there’s a fair chance it’s a scam. There is, however, talk of changes to the law coming into force in the not too distant future. Refer back here for official updates to avoid any unpleasant run ins with unlicensed betting operations.
Lots of Regular Promotions
The First Gold Gaming Resort promotions range does a great job of including visitors who aren’t signed up to the loyalty scheme. Most of these take the form of cash prize giveaways where winners are chosen at random. There are also some neat slots tournaments, blackjack tournaments and poker competitions, all of which offer some pretty substantial cash prizes for winners!
One edition we really like is the Free Contest. In this promotion, a few lucky winners are chosen every month and the reward is a free stay at the resort with food included! There are two separate draws – one for players from neighbouring states and one for players from overseas – and all you need to do to be in with a chance to win is sign up directly at the casino! Learn more about special deals on the official promotions page.
Neat Loyalty Benefits
The loyalty scheme at First Gold is known as the Gold Club. Members receive a number of different benefits, which vary depending on your level of play. It’s completely free to join – just ask directly at the casino for details on your next visit – and has two tiers. The first tier allows you to start claiming benefits after you’ve accumulated 500 points. These include cash back, discounts of up to 10% at the gift shop and money off coupons at the buffet. The second tier, known as 24 Karat, grants entry to special tournaments, gets you discounts on hotel rooms and creates loads of opportunities to win points multipliers.
No Sports Betting
Sports betting is, unfortunately, completely outlawed in S.D at this time. This is partly due to the fact that sports such as greyhound racing and horse racing have long been prohibited, and partly due to strict rulings and regulations currently in operation. It would appear, however, that the state legislature is ready to review its position, so there’s a fair chance we may see sports betting introduced in the not too distant future. Be sure to check back here regularly for updates; if there is a breakthrough, we will be the first to know!
Attractions Outside the Games Room
If you’re looking for fun things to check out outside of the games room you’ve definitely picked the right place. Although First Gold itself doesn’t have too many onsite attractions that don’t involve gambling, the area of Deadwood has plenty to offer; and, given its prime location, the resort serves as a perfect base to explore. To learn about this, accommodation and dining options, and more, keep scrolling down to the sections below!
Deluxe On-Site Accommodation
| Hotel Rooms | 190 rooms + 5 luxury suites |
|---|---|
| Price per Night: | $79 – $219 |
| Pool: | No pool |
| Room Service: | Available |
| Gym/Fitness Studio: | Fitness room |
| Address: | 270 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732 |
As can be seen from the table below, the First Gold Hotel has lots of accommodation options for travelling gamers. With almost 200 deluxe rooms and even more luxury suites, visitors on a medium to high budget will find the arrangements here more than comfortable. The only criticism, however, is the lack of pool or spa facilities. If you’re after a few more amenities, The Lodge at Deadwood may be a better option, although you will need to spend a few more dollars.
As we’ve already mentioned, the resort’s location means it’s a great springboard to all the awesome attractions in Deadwood and the surrounding area. In addition, it’s super easy to reach by road and air. The closest airport is Rapid City, which is about 40miles away. If you’re travelling by car, come off the Interstate 90 at Exit 30 and head west. After about 12 miles, just before you reach Chinatown, you’ll find the resort.
Explore Historic Deadwood
Unfortunately, there aren’t really any First Gold Gaming Resort events that don’t involve gambling. Although, as we’ve previously said, the fact that it’s located in a prime location where there’s plenty to do does, in part, make up for this. However, if you’re perhaps travelling as a family and would like to enjoy some entertainment without leaving the complex, you don’t have too many options here. The staff are happy to help arrange tours of the nearby museums, monuments, and other historic attractions in the area. Otherwise, the Horseshoe Restaurant, which is on-site, has a famous buffet and is a great place to enjoy top-quality ribs, steaks, and seafood.
General Company Info
| Owner: | First Gold Gaming Resort |
|---|---|
| Phone Number: | +1 605-578-9777 |
| Gaming License Class: | Class III |
| Number of Games: | Over 300 |
| Hours: | 24/7 |
| Opened: | 1990 |
| Website: | First Gold Gaming Resort |
| Social Media: |
The First Gold Gaming Resort first opened as a casino and gaming complex back in 1990. Its origins, however, go back a lot further. It’s built on the very site where gold was first discovered in Deadwood, so it’s a very important part of the history of the area. Today, it’s one of the town’s top gaming destinations, and its Class III gambling license means visitors can enjoy a great selection of slots and live table games 24/7.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the resort and how famous historic figures who have gone down in American folklore – James “Wild Bill” Hickok, Calamity Jane, Charlie Utter and Seth Bullock, to name a name a few – follow the link to the official website and read all about it. Or, follow the link to the Facebook page and stay up to date with events and competitions.
The Final Say
Now we’ve reached the end of our First Gold Gaming Resort review it’s time for the final roundup. Overall, we were really impressed with how the venue performed in our tests. The games selection is solid, there are lots of promotions and loyalty benefits, and there’s a great hotel and dining options on site. It could do with some on-site events and non gambling related attractions, but seem as though it’s located in Deadwood, where there is plenty to explore, we’re prepared to give it a pass. When all is said and done, it gets the nod from us! Head back to our homepage to discover more great casinos in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for reading our First Gold Gaming Resort review! We’ve tried our best to cover all the necessary ground and answer all your questions about the venue, but there’s bound to be something we’ve missed. That’s why we’ve included the following FAQs. If you’re still unsure about something, send us an email using the contact tab.
Are there on-site dining options?
Yes. The Horseshoe Restaurant is on the bottom floor of the resort and has one of the best all you can eat buffets in town! Skip back up to the non-gambling attractions section for more details.
How old do you have to be to play?
Like all fully licensed and regulated casinos in S.D and most of the U.S, the legal gambling age is 21. You can learn more about licensing in our general company info section.
Where is the hotel located?
It’s about 12 miles off of the Interstate 90 once you’ve taken Exit 30 heading west. It’s super easy to find. The exact address, and more details about the venue itself, can be found in the hotel section.
Is there a pool in the hotel?
Unfortunately, not. This is one thing that is missing from the hotel that many people ask about. It does have other facilities such as the fitness centre, but if you’re looking for a pool specifically, maybe consider staying at Cadillac Jack’s.
Are there any regular promotions at the casino?
Yes. First Gold does a good job of making sure visitors who aren’t members of the loyalty scheme still have access to a handful of promotions. To learn about some of these, head up to our promotions section and see what deals you can grab on your next visit!