Colorado’s casino-industry officials discussed the possibility of making a push to raise the bet limit, add new table games and extend gambling hours during a recent meeting with U.S Sen. Ken Salazar and state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald.
The meeting was set up at the behest of Salazar, D-Colo., as part of his 64-county tour through the state to talk about local issues. Other issues discussed at the Nov. 29 gathering included immigration and health care.
About 30 casino officials attended the meeting, which was held at the Lodge Casino in Black Hawk, said Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association.
Salazar “just happened to be coming through Gilpin County. He called and asked the gaming association to put together an industrywide meeting so he can talk about some of the issues at the federal level and hear about our concerns,” Rice said.
Colorado is the only gambling jurisdiction in the country that has a $5 bet limit. Casinos can offer only poker, blackjack and slot machines and must close at 2 a.m. Gambling is allowed only in three mountain towns – Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.
“As an industry, I think we need to do something,” said Steve Roark, president of the Colorado Gaming Association and chief executive of Jacobs Entertainment, which owns the Lodge and Gilpin casinos in Black Hawk. “Our costs continue to climb. We need to get more people up the mountain. We’re just like any business – we look for ways to grow our business.”
The Denver Post reported in September that the industry is considering a ballot initiative for the November 2008 election to raise the stakes, extend hours and increase the number of games.
The casino association, which represents 19 of the state’s 46 casinos, will poll its members at its meeting in January to see if there is a consensus for a campaign, Rice said.
A statewide campaign could cost $20 million to $25 million.
Salazar spokesman Cody Wertz said the senator only listened to the industry’s concerns on the issue and didn’t take a stance.
“It’s a state issue,” Wertz said. “He does not have jurisdiction on it. At this point, he does not have a comment on it.”
Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, didn’t return calls seeking comment. She has received at least $9,000 in campaign contributions from the casino industry since 2000, state records show.
The changes that are being discussed must be approved by Colorado voters. The measure could be introduced for a vote through the state legislature or a citizen initiative, which requires tens of thousands of petition signatures.
“We’d love to have bigger bets,” Roark said. “But I have to kind of go with what my competitors also say. We can’t do it unless everybody wants to do it.”
Matthew Block, director of governmental affairs with Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk, said the company is exploring the option.
“We’re just looking at the new makeup of the legislature and seeing if there’s a possibility to make a push for changes,” Block said.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
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