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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the use in Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
333-05521 of Boyd Gaming Corporation on Form S-3 relating to the offering of
$.01 par value Common Stock of our report dated August 23, 1996, appearing in
the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to
the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
    
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Las Vegas, Nevada
   
September 3, 1996
    
