As the exclusive dealer for IGT machines and systems in Deadwood and at all the North American tribal casinos, Sodak first drew breath in Rapid City, South Dakota in 1989. Four years later it went public and eyed the expanding market in South American countries such as Peru, where things started to go wrong.

In the mid-nineties Peru looked a good bet to companies such as Sodak and Ladbrokes, still in the casino business in those days. The country was emerging from economic meltdown in leaps and bounds and the new gaming laws looked promising. Then, in the way of the traditional ‘banana republic’, came the imposition of totally irregular amendments to the gaming laws. Both Ladbrokes and Sodak, along with other international operators, retired from the country, probably sadder and wiser. In 1999 Sodak was acquired by IGT for $230 million, and became one of its corporate divisions.

With the aim of becoming more efficient, IGT is now undergoing reorganization that will affect Sodak and its 150 Rapid City employees. Some of the Sodak executives have already moved to IGT corporate headquarters in Reno, and South Dakota, whilst continuing to be an IGT office, will no longer have the monopoly on sales and service to the tribal casinos, as the world’s No. 1 gaming devices manufacturer moves people closer to its customer base.

Tribal gaming is still developing and IGT intends to take advantage of possible future expansion in places as diverse as California, Florida, Texas and New York with regional sales and service divisions for the IGT brand. It is expected that Sodak, over time, will simply fade away. (E-03.10.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage