Gaming dominates Deadwood's economy. In 2009, workers in the leisure and hospitality industries accounted for more 30 percent of the city's total employed workforce of 11,514. Trade/transportation and utilities provided jobs for another 1,743 individuals (15.4%). Another 1,070 people worked for various levels of government, accounting for another 14.5 percent of the workforce. Major employers in Deadwood include the Northern Hills General Hospital, which had 134 people on staff and Lawrence County, which employed 120 people. To retrieve a profile of the Deadwood economy, visit the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development.

Below is a graph showing the gross earnings from Penny Slots in Deadwood during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Below is a graph showing the gross revenue from Blackjack in Deadwood during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.