Gaming revenues increased in August

Gaming revenues increased in August in Colorado’s three gaming cities, according to a new report from the Colorado Division of Gaming.

Black Hawk saw a 3.61 percent increase in August compared to the same month in 2024, resulting in a $2.743 million increase. In the first two months of the fiscal year that started on July 1, Black Hawk expe- rienced an overall 4.41 percent rise, amounting to $6.531 million.

Neighboring Central City saw its long-struggling gaming revenues rise during August. The city’s six casinos reported a 3.03 percent (or $207,135) bump compared to the same month in 2024. Despite the good news, gam- ing revenues for the first two months of the new fiscal year are down a modest -0.34 percent, or a negative $46,466 in Adjusted Gross Proceeds – the amount wagered by gamblers less the amount paid to winners.

In Teller County, the City of Cripple Creek saw a 5.71 percent increase in AGP during August, totaling $978,570. For the first two months of the state’s fiscal year, Cripple Creek has risen 4.17 percent, adding up to $1,429,077.

During the months of July and August, state-collected gaming taxes from Black Hawk represented 96.46 percent of revenues collected in Colorado. Cripple Creek accounted for 2.77 percent and Central City, 0.77 percent.

Hotline confusion

The Colorado Division of Gaming stated it is aware of a New Jersey court ruling regarding the administration of the 1-800-GAMBLER number.

According to the state, Colorado is closely monitoring the situation and will update the industry soon. The current phone number confusion started after a New Jersey court decided that control of the number would revert to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) on Sept. 29.

The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC), which oversees administration, manages training for helpline staff, and develops referral resources for the helpline, is working directly with CCGNJ to ensure there are no service disruptions.

Currently, Colorado states that members of the public and licensees should continue to use the 1-800-GAMBLER number in accordance with Limited Gaming Regulations, Sports Betting Rules, and Fantasy Contest Operator Rule, until the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and/or the Division of Gaming issues further instructions. Members of the public and licensees are encouraged to visit the Division’s Bet Smart Colorado website, betsmart. colorado.gov, for useful resources on responsible gaming.

Cash for water projects

Sports betting over the past year increased funding for water-related projects across the state, according to the Colorado Division of Gaming.

During Colorado’s 2024-25 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, the state generated a record $36.819 million from sports-betting taxes. This amount surpassed the previous year’s total by nearly $6.4 million.

During its September meeting, the Colorado Limited Gaming Commission allocated $33.4 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, which supports the state’s water plan and funds water-related projects.

Last year’s record betting amount shows a 354 percent increase in total taxes compared to the first year when sports betting was legalized in the state (2020-21).

Colorado voters approved sports betting in November 2019, and it became available the following May.