<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0000940434</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000906553</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>BOYD GAMING CORP</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-12882</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>6465 SOUTH RAINBOW BOULEVARD</com:street1>
        <com:city>LAS VEGAS</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NV</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>89118</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>7027927200</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>BOYD WILLIAM S</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>10% Stockholder</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>LPL Finanacial</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>1055 LPL Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Fort Mill</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>SC</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>29715</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>24519</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>2108089.58</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>80000000</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>02/11/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>02/28/2024</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Awarded as an RSU</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Boyd Gaming</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>8708</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>02/28/2024</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/16/2024</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Awarded as an RSU</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Boyd Gaming</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>7011</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/16/2024</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/18/2023</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Awarded as an RSU</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Boyd Gaming</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>8800</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/18/2023</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>02/26/2026</noticeDate>
      <signature>William S Boyd</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
