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BLACK HAWK — Colorado casinos, in hopes of drawing more out-of-state gamblers, is considering backing an initiative to raise the betting limit from $5.
Industry officials are in preliminary discussions of trying to put an initiative on the ballot in 2008, The Denver Post reported. Colorado is the only state to limit bets to $5, the newspaper said.
“It is certainly something we are exploring and keeping our eye on,” said Troy Stremming, vice president of governmental affairs for Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casinos.
“We’re the largest capital investment in Black Hawk, and any type of ability to have gaming expanded through limits or hours would definitely benefit our facilities,” said Mike Vautrin, general manager of the Isle of Capri and Colorado Central Station casinos in Black Hawk. Casinos now must close at 2 a.m.
Vautrin said there is no formal effort yet to support a change. Stremming estimated that a statewide campaign would cost $20 million to $25 million.
The proposal would face significant opposition. Spokesmen for both gubernatorial candidates, Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter said they would oppose it.
Bobbi Vollmer, director of a counseling clinic at University of Denver that has a problem-gambling treatment and research center, said up to 5 percent of players become compulsive gamblers. “It’s helpful to have a closing hour, and the limited stakes can also be helpful in slowing people down,” Vollmer said.
In 1991, Colorado voters legalized limited-stakes poker, blackjack and slot machines at Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. The industry posted revenue of $765 million in fiscal 2006, and $100.1 million in taxes.
Industry officials are in preliminary discussions of trying to put an initiative on the ballot in 2008, The Denver Post reported. Colorado is the only state to limit bets to $5, the newspaper said.
“It is certainly something we are exploring and keeping our eye on,” said Troy Stremming, vice president of governmental affairs for Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casinos.
“We’re the largest capital investment in Black Hawk, and any type of ability to have gaming expanded through limits or hours would definitely benefit our facilities,” said Mike Vautrin, general manager of the Isle of Capri and Colorado Central Station casinos in Black Hawk. Casinos now must close at 2 a.m.
Vautrin said there is no formal effort yet to support a change. Stremming estimated that a statewide campaign would cost $20 million to $25 million.
The proposal would face significant opposition. Spokesmen for both gubernatorial candidates, Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter said they would oppose it.
Bobbi Vollmer, director of a counseling clinic at University of Denver that has a problem-gambling treatment and research center, said up to 5 percent of players become compulsive gamblers. “It’s helpful to have a closing hour, and the limited stakes can also be helpful in slowing people down,” Vollmer said.
In 1991, Colorado voters legalized limited-stakes poker, blackjack and slot machines at Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. The industry posted revenue of $765 million in fiscal 2006, and $100.1 million in taxes.
