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Casinos heavily back gambling initiative

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 9, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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A proposed ballot initiative that would allow gambling cities in Colorado to raise betting limits, extend casino hours and add games is getting financial support from some of the state's larger casinos.

Under the measure, any additional gambling proceeds that would result from the changes would go primarily to fund community colleges, with a small percentage going back to the communities affected by gambling.

Coloradans for Sensible Solutions, which is backing Initiative 121, has received $3.1 million of contributions and reported spending less than $195,000.

The biggest contributor so far has been the Isle of Capri Casino in Black Hawk, which gave $1.5 million, followed by Ameristar Casino, also in Black Hawk, which contributed $700,000.

Other gambling houses gave smaller amounts: Colorado Casino Resorts Inc. in Colorado Springs donated $140,000, and the Wild Card Saloon in Black Hawk put in $88,000.

"The overwhelming majority of the casinos do support this," said Katy Atkinson, spokeswoman for Coloradans for Sensible Solutions.

Under Initiative 121 - which still needs more than 76,000 signatures to get on the November ballot - voters in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek can change some of the current limits to gambling.

"(The changes) will make the casinos become a more attractive tourist attraction," Atkinson said.

"Casinos have been down (in revenues) rather substantially. It started when the smoking ban took effect in casinos and continued and was exacerbated by economic problems, such as the cost of gasoline," she said.

She said the changes also will add money to state coffers and help fund higher education.

So far, there is no registered group that is working to defeat the measure.

The game plan

The proposed Initiative 121 would allow voters in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek to decide whether to lift certain gambling limits:

* Raise bets up to $100

* Extend casino hours

* Approve games to include craps and roulette

The additional money that will be generated as the result of the changes in the gambling restrictions would be divided in the following ways:

* 78 percent to community colleges for student financial aid and classroom instruction

* 22 percent to Gilpin and Teller counties and the cities of Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek for local gambling impacts

If any of the cities decides to approve any of the changes to the gambling restrictions, then any increases in gambling taxes from the levels imposed as of July 1, 2008, would have to be approved through a statewide election

Comments

  • July 9, 2008

    2:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    windskull writes:

    The town of Flagler Colorado 110 miles East of Denver & 55 miles West of Kansas on I-70 will give free land to any business that is willing to establish itself there.For information call the town hall 719-765-4571

    Kansas Lawmakers approved 4 Casinos,one located in Dodge City 265 mi from Flagler which is a 200 mile drive to either Cripple Creek or Blackhawk BUT just suppose the mountain casinos mutually partnered & built a hotel restaurant & casino on the prairie!?!

    Truckers & travelers that otherwise take I-70 to I-25 then go North or South out of the state without ever considering driving to the mountain towns would be spending money that will benefit both regions without adding to mountain traffic congestion while also attracting residents from Kansas Nebraska,Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming.

  • July 9, 2008

    2:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    windskull writes:

    I suggested before that Kansas & Colorado partner and build a fully accredited central hospital in Kanarado to service the region and revenue generated by the above suggested casino could go along way toward funding this while putting an end to the abusive policies of federal tax dollar funded HCA Health operating strictly on a for profit basis YET LOSING MONEY for decades...the farmers and ranchers out here are/were the back bone of America like our uniformed patriots they deserve better and this is certainly worth considering as one way to give back.

  • July 9, 2008

    4:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Small stakes are terrible from the gambler's perspective as well as the house. If you're down a C-note, it takes too many trips to get your money back. Open it up, let the gambler decide when to bet heavy, when to bet light. It's fairer to the gambler, and it makes more money for the house. Small stakes gambling is for the tourists. Let us enjoy a cigar or a smoke as well, the non-smoker is unable to deliver on his promise of increased revenues. I play outside the casinos, underground, I can smoke, drink, bet what I want. Never been a fan of the politically correct who choke the craft; they're nothing but tourists to the professional gambler.

  • July 9, 2008

    4:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    roger44 writes:

    I agree with last post 100%. Worked in Nevada for 12 years in surveillance. They tried a non smoking joint in Reno, lasted 8 months. The only thing I would add to the raise in stakes is a board of volunteers to keep an eye on the money going to the state, so no fiasco like Blackhawk happens, spending money on the politicians "historic" homes. I've also seen the corruption from within the casinos, failure to report gaming violations because it might make them look bad, or get them a citation. Keep the state and the joints honest.

  • July 9, 2008

    4:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jmfslots writes:

    Where can I sign this petition to get it on the ballot?

  • July 9, 2008

    6:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    Sure raise the limit so people will lose their house twice as fast.
    The casino's want to raise the limit so they can get richer faster.
    By the way the casino's are not in the business of giving away something for nothing.
    It like a moped a lot of fun till get's hurt.
    Vote no they are getting more then their fair share right now.
    A fool and his money are soon parted.
    Don't let it be you!

  • July 9, 2008

    7:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Happymike44, with all due respect, gambling, tobacco, alchohol, they put a lot of money in the taxman's collection plate; unlike the collection plate at the church, which is tax free. Be happy for us sinners, you make us truly pay for the wages of our sins, the proceeds of which finance education, parks, anything the people desire to spend the revenue on. I think if you tax the sinner, it's only just you tax the saints. I pay at both plates! Till then, respect us sinners, we give up a lot of dough to enjoy our vices! One casino probably feeds more people than any one church, I may be wrong, correct me if I am.

  • July 9, 2008

    8:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Sundog writes:

    Las Vegas is imploding. I won't return there if table games are introduced, especially craps. The odds are much better with some bets on table games, plus to make the proposed changes will keep that earmarked portion of the money of people like me here. And to happymike, we don't need more laws to protect us from ourselves, thanks. Some folks are perfectly capable of keeping the gambling to a manageable level.

  • July 9, 2008

    8:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    stevelbg writes:

    Let's allow the casinos to raise limits, add games and extend hours if they are will to accept the damaged people who end up on relying on the state for assistance when the money is all gone. They can pay for the food stamps and damaged lifes that the tax payhers now pay for.

  • July 9, 2008

    8:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FlyfishDude52 writes:

    Who are Coloradans for Sensible Solutions??? Nothing of that name comes up when googled.

    It sounds like a lobby group, probably casino owners/operators. So where is that 3 million $ that they've raised going? Follow the money. & there's no dirtier money than gambling money.

    I agree with many of the opinions above. Raising the limits allow the games to be played more to ones advantage. However, I will never gamble in a casino after being 86'ed in las vegas in the 70's for counting cards. The moral of the story is, even though there's no law that prohibits counting, you can play at the casinos but you can't win...

  • July 9, 2008

    9:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Chadley25 writes:

    Did anyone else read this article's headline and think, "Well, duh." In a stunning news development, casinos are backing more gambling! Film at 11!

    For what it's worth, I think this initiative would win if it makes it to the ballot. $5 limits in an era of $4-a-gallon gas is just ridiculous. When gambling began here, $5 in gas could conceivably get you from Denver to Black Hawk and back (presuming a small car). Now, it might get you up the hill at Genessee, but not much further. The limits should be raised, if only to reflect current value and inflation!

  • July 9, 2008

    10:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Sundog writes:

    That's what I'm saying: don't protect us from ourselves! If someone screws up and walks into the street directly in front of a moving bus, who's fault is it? If someone doesn't get it that uncontrolled gambling leads to misery, it is basically non-transferable. Like the umpire said in the movie Field of Dreams, "...watch out you don't get killed." It's just fine to let people be responsible for their own bad judgment. Time to take ownership and quit blaming McDonalds because the coffee is hot. Sheesh.

  • July 9, 2008

    12:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    wdr writes:

    Having worked at a casino in BH, I can tell you that they make far less money than you would think. A 6% hold (i.e. 94 cents of every dollar in is paid back to the players) is typical of the industry. Out of that 6%, you have to pay taxes, overhead and capital reinvestment (new machines, etc.). So if you see $150 million in handle (amount wagered), the house only takes in $9 million gross. By the way -- gaming taxes are calculated on the amount wagered (the $150 million), not the profit.

    So yes, they are a profitable enterprise, but they are not making much more than any other successful small business. Raising the limits would increase the handle, increase the tax revenue generated, and put the smaller properties on firmer financial ground. Plus, it could make our casino towns true travel destinations instead of day-trip stops.

  • July 9, 2008

    1:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    I worked for a casino they are nothing more then blood suking parasites on society.
    I do not agree with gambling because to many good people get hooked on it.
    Then lose everything and where I worked was oh well tough shite you lost get out.
    So believe me a fool and his money are soon parted.
    Also I worry for all those kids and wives who live with the disaster that these businesses create.
    So vote no and tell the casino's no more for you the pig is fat enough!

  • July 9, 2008

    2:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    wdr writes:

    So much for rational discourse...

    happymike -- I do not agree with restaurants because too many people are obese. There are far more people who can't stop shoving food into their mouths than there are problem gamblers -- and they cost society untold millions in health care costs.

    What's your point? That individual responsibility should be micromanaged by the State? I'm sorry you have had a negative experience with gaming. Stay out of the casinos if you want, but leave the rest of us to do as we please.

  • July 9, 2008

    4:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    I would personally like to see more games - table games - but I am not sure about raising the limit to $100 a bet.
    at $10 or even $25 - it can still be 'recreational' - but up to 100
    but even at $5 it is not hard at all to blow through a couple hundred buck - cause I have done it on Quarter machines.Even the penny machine are false economy
    ( you can tell I am not much of a gambler . .. . )
    $100 - that would be the start of a mini Vegas - not sure I want that in Colorado!

  • July 11, 2008

    9:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wdr writes:

    Then don't bet $100 a hand. Let those foolish enough to do so have the opportunity -- and take responsibility for your own actions.

    You can't run a craps table profitably at a $25 cap -- you have to pay four or five dealers to man the table whenever it is open.

    Ignore those people who say you need to be able to bet big when you are winning -- there is no system that will beat the house edge.

    Gaming is not an investment strategy -- when you go, you are going to spend money. End of story. How much is entirely up to you.

  • August 19, 2008

    3:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wooley writes:

    I mostly play poker and it's very difficult to win any money with the $5 limit. The drop is $3.50 (less on very small pots) and the drop for the bad beat is $1.00. Then there's the minimum $2.00 up to $5.00 blind every 9th hand. This means you're probably paying over $20.00 an hour just to sit at the table. The increase would allow for some 5-10 and 10-20 games. As for losing too much, I always take only so much cash, no debit or credit cards and when that's gone, if I have a losing evening, I'm gone.