The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission on Thursday approved a rule change that will allow casinos to lower the payout on blackjacks.
The five-member commission voted 3-1 to approve the revision, with one commissioner absent, said Don Burmania, spokesman for the state Division of Gaming.
Commissioner Florence Hunt opposed the change but didn’t state a reason.
Currently, casinos must pay 3-to-2 on blackjacks, meaning a $10 bet would win $15. The new rule allows operators to lower the payout to 6-to-5, so a $10 bet would return $12 on a blackjack.
The lower payout can go into effect April 30. No casinos have publicly stated that they will switch existing multideck blackjack games to the 6-to-5 payout.
Some casinos, including the Isle of Capri Casino in Black Hawk, have said they definitely won’t make the change.
“We will not go down that path,” said Brian Watts, the Isle’s general manager.
Watts, however, wouldn’t rule out adding a new variation of blackjack, such as a single-deck game, that would feature the 6-to-5 payout.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
