Colorado casinos are getting ready to start play with more games and higher betting limits. From the Colorado Springs Gazette:
At the Colorado Grande Casino in Cripple Creek, the last security cameras are being placed over the roulette table.
At Bronco Billys Casino, gamblers are laying wagers on blackjack table in the new table games pit.
At the Wildwood Casino, general manager Kevin Werner is planning a pajama party to welcome the changes taking effect at the stroke of midnight Thursday morning.
Thats when the first dice will tumble on the craps tables, the roulette wheel will spin, and bettors will lay down Cripple Creeks first $100 wager. Like the stakes, anticipation is high and a lot is riding on the states Amendment 50 bet.
The changes Colorado voters approved by a wide margin in November could make Colorados three gambling towns destination attractions, high altitude Vegases drawing in the high rollers. At the very least, casino owners and workers are counting on the new games and limits to reverse the slide that started last year.
“Its history,” said Eric Rose, general manager of the Colorado Grande. “Its the biggest thing to happen to Colorado gaming in 17 years.”
via State to launch new games, new limits on Thursday – Colorado Springs Gazette, CO.
I just hope that they keep the popcorn. Colorado casinos are the only ones I’ve ever been in that have complimentary popcorn. It’s the saltiest popcorn I’ve ever had in my life, but it’s still popcorn, which means that it’s good.
On a more analytical note, it remains to be seen if the newly-liberalized gaming rules bolster revenues. This is still a regional market, at best, which isn’t so bad these days, since regional markets are facing the recession better than destination ones. Also, the industry is still pretty small, with gambling only in 3 towns. This may be more of a case of Colorado becoming another Indiana, not another Nevada, or even Mississippi.