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Gambling business takes another hit

By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 19, 2008 at 9:42 p.m.

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Colorado casinos reported a 14 percent drop in revenues in July, the seventh straight month of declines.

The state's casinos generated $65.6 million in proceeds last month, besting June's performance but falling about $10 million short of July 2007, the state gaming division reported.

Central City posted the biggest percentage drop, with revenues declining 20.4 percent to about $6.1 million. Black Hawk, which attracts the most gamblers, experienced a 14.8 percent decrease to $45.7 million. Cripple Creek fell 9.1 percent to $13.86 million.

Comments

  • August 19, 2008

    10:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    freedomandchoice writes:

    This decline in revenue is largely because of the smoking ban(yes, some of the decline is the economy). I understand non-smokers wanting a smoke free environment when in the casino. My question to the non-smokers is there any room for compromise???......could we have a non-smoking section and a smoking section??? Would this be a reasonable compromise giving a choice to everyone and allowing the Casinos to maximize profits and Colorado to maximize tax revenues. I guess I am a little tired of the nanny government........this is a casino, not a health club.......adults come here to gamble, drink and smoke. I appreciate your response and opinion.

  • August 20, 2008

    8:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Decemvir writes:

    I doubt the decline in revenues is largely because of the smoking ban. My question is how many people smoke versus the casino population? Is it 15% or 25%??? I don't see very many people in the designated smoking areas. Casinos are like any other place of business in that designated smoking areas are available.

    The best way for the local casinos to maximize profits and Colorado to maximize tax revenues is to raise the $5 limit to a $100 limit.

  • August 20, 2008

    11:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    freedomandchoice writes:

    Hi Decemvir, thanks for the response. The Casino smoking population now is probably 25%, but that is because the smoking ban drove the smokers away including me. I now take my gambling money to Vegas and it is a significant amount of money. I know "High Rollers" that also have quit Colorado Casinos and now go to Vegas. Casino Managers have said the smoking population before the ban was as high as 70% and I have seen 80% to 95% smoking in the high limit slot area......and these players spend 10 to 30 times what your average gambler spends. I am still curious if you would consider a smoking and non-smoking section????......maybe seperated by a wall and seperate ventilation systems???????