Category: Gaming

Rebranding and other changes for Bigfot Casino wil take time

Rebranding and other changes for Bigfot Casino wil take time

company’s gaming devices at

and the Dragon Tiger Casinos
in neighboring Central City.

in there now. We’re not going
to replace all of them. We
might get some new machines
because some of them in there

Continued from page 1

One of the key tasks con-
cerns the slot machines
currently at the Z Casino,

Gaming, also known as RunI-
tOneTime LLC. Maverick filed
for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection in a federal court in
Texas in July. The bankruptcy
proceedings included several

in Colorado and other states.
The Z Casino, previously
called Bullwhackers, opened
during the early years of gam
ing in Black Hawk.

“They put all of the slot
monitoring and surveillance
systems [from the three
casinos] into one big com-
puter network up at Grand
Z,” Smith explained. “In order
for us to get going, we have to
order [computer] servers from
China. Then we’ve got to get
them programmed. It could
take a long time to get the
stuff from China.”

In addition, Smith will
need to order new indoor and
outdoor signage for the build
ing as it rebrands from the
Z to the Bigfoot Casino. The
signage will require approval

–
ty Development Department.

any issues with the new signs.
“We’ve got a sophisticated

Springs that most sign people
don’t have.”

Once that’s completed, slot
machine manufacturers –

Konami, Light and Wonder
– will come to the Bigfoot
Casino to update any ma-
chines Smith decides to keep.

According to court docu-
ments, Z Casino has 313 slot
machines across its three

of a Maverick computer net-
work that also connects to the

Smith’s Bigfoot Casino will
also need to obtain a liquor
license from the City of Black

few months and includes a
public hearing and approval
by the city’s Board of Alder-
men.

Be prepared before the next power outage.

Another item on Smith’s
checklist will be to create a
doorway connecting the Big-
foot and Sasquatch casinos,
so patrons can freely walk
between them. “I’d like to get
a set of stairs built like Bull
whackers had [to connect the
casinos]. Bullwhackers had a
set of stairs, and I’d like to get
them put back in,” said Smith.

The businessman’s $25 mil-
lion purchase of the Z Casino

parking lot – something the
Sasquatch lacks – and a gray
metal building across the back
driveway from the casino that
includes office space, a confer-
ence room and a maintenance
shop. Smith noted, “They’ve
kind of kept us out of everything
until they get ready to leave.”

Smith doesn’t yet know how

though he joked that he plans
to remove any “No Sasquatch

Z Casino property. “I have

I was thinking of going over
there and making a video of us
crushing that sign,” he mused.

Ed Smith in front of “Harry,” the statue namesake for

before that, such as upgrading
the computer system.”

the two Central City Maverick

the bankruptcy proceedings.

(Editor’s note: Marnell
Companies didn’t respond
to the WR-C’s request for an
interview or information
about its plans for the Grand
Z or Dragon Tiger casinos in

–
quired as part of the Maver-

Decisions about staffing,
hours and operations will also
face the new owners. Does
Smith have a date for when
he will receive the keys to the
Z Casino? “No, I don’t at this

just got a lot of stuff to do

For the time being, Mav-
erick Gaming continues to
operate the Z, Grand Z and
Dragon Tiger casinos until
Smith takes over the Z Casino
and Marnell Companies an-
nounces its plans to take over

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Black Hawk businessman and casino owner Ed Smith purchased the Z Casino on Gregory

a surface parking lot and a gray metal building (right of center), both accessible from Selak
Street.

Drone photo by Don Ireland

January 1, 2026
Casino revenues fell in Black Hawk, Central in November

WEEKLY REGISTER-CALLJanuary 2, 2025

Gilpin school activities

The Gilpin High School girls’ and boys’

basketball teams are wrapping up their holi-

day break this week before getting back to

the hardwood in the coming days.

The Lady Eagles closed out 2024 with a

47-31 non-conference victory at Kiowa on

Dec. 19. The win snapped a two-game los-

ing streak after the team lost to traditional

powerhouse Peyton and a non-conference

contest at South Park.

Overall, the Lady Eagles have a 3-2 record

as they prepare to head into Class 3A/2A/1A

Mile High League games next month.

The boys’ team will seek its first victory

of the 2024-25 campaign in January. The

Eagles lost a 33-32 nailbiter at Nederland in

mid-December.

Gilpin’s holiday break, which began on

Monday, Dec. 22 and will continue through

Monday, Jan. 6, did not include any games.

Tuesday, Jan. 7—High school basket-

ball at Bishop Machebeuf. The boys’ Jayvee

team plays at 4 p.m., followed by girls’ var-

sity at 5:30 and boys’ varsity at 7 p.m.

tian. The C-team plays at 4 p.m., followed by

the B-team at 5 and the A-team at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9—High school bas-

ketball hosts Estes Park. Boys’ jayvee team

plays at 4 p.m., followed by girls’ varsity at

5:30 and boys’ varsity at 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 10—Middle school girls

basketball hosts Estes Park. The B -team

plays at 5 p.m., followed by the A -team at 6

p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11—High school basket-

ball hosts North Park. Girls’ varsity begins at

noon, followed by boys’ varsity at 1:30 p.m.

Middle school girls’ basketball at Summit

Tournament, time TBA.

NOTE—Schedules are tentative and may

change due to a variety of factors, including

weather.

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ners and awards include:

First Place ($500), 224 East

4th High St.; Second Place

($300), 224 Lawrence St.;

Third Place ($200), 224 Eu-

reka St.; Honorable Mention

($50 each), 205 W. First High

St. and 420 Bobtail Circle.

Emerl’s Thrift Empori-

um will reopen on Friday and

Saturday, Jan. 3 and 4, from

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at its loca-

tion next to the Central City

Visitor’s Center on Eureka

Street.

We’re told all the leftover

Christmas and New Year’s

things will be free. However,

bringing cash is recommend-

ed because you’re likely to

discover other treasures you

might want. For information,

call 303-582-0797.

The Martin Luther King

holiday is on Monday, Jan.

20.

Gilpin County’s waste

transfer station will be closed

on Sunday, Jan. 19, while

county offices will be closed

on Jan. 20 in observance of

the holiday.

A free screening of the

movie Fire In Paradise is

planned for 1 p.m. on Satur-

day, Jan. 11, at Timberline

Fire Station 3 – in the former

Fritz Peak Observatory, 19126

Hwy 119 in Black Hawk.

The movie, intended for

mature audiences and not

for children, will help inform

residents about how to stay

safe from wildfires and how to

help preserve forests. There

will be popcorn, snacks and

drinks available. However,

space is limited. For informa-

tion, contact Jennifer.cook@

colostate.edu or call 303-582-

9106.

Gilpin County Colorado

State University Extension,

Timberline Fire Prevention

District, and the Clear Creek

Watershed & Forest Health

Partnership sponsor the

event.

Health department pro-

The Gilpin County Public

Health Department is hosting

a public forum on Tuesday,

Feb. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at

Zoom.

septic systems and how they

apply to homeowners, poten-

tial homebuyers and realtors.

Radon will be discussed at 5

p.m., followed by well main-

tenance at 5:30, and septic

systems at 6 p.m. Refresh-

ments will be provided.

Sen. Roberts meeting

State Sen. Dylan Roberts

will host a virtual town hall

from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on

Monday, Jan. 13. The event

will feature Speaker Julie

McCluskie and other state

representatives from the re-

gion. To attend, email senrob-

ertsoffice@gmail.com or call

303-866-4871.

The Gilpin County Repub-

lican Committee will hold a

members-only meeting at 7

p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, at

the Denver West-Central City

KOA Campground, 605 Lake

Gulch Road, Central City. Cre-

dentialing begins at 6:45 p.m.

Members will be informed in

advance of the agenda and

door prizes.

January 2, 2025
Black Hawk gaming revenues, sports bets rose in December

Black Hawk gaming revenues, sports bets rose in December

By Don Ireland

During Armbright’s
childhood, the first floor of
the former church served
as the neighboring school’s
gymnasium, including a
basketball court. Recalled
the councilwoman, “We
were a little naughty. We
weren’t supposed to climb
up the rickety old set of
steps inside, but we did.
We’d go up and play in the
attic – where the church
bell was.”

experienced
a 1.30 per-
cent decline
during the
six months, a
loss of $1.113
million. Com-
bined, the state realized a
.25 percent decline over the
six months from one year
earlier, earning $1.36 mil-
lion less.

Senior Reporter

According to newly-
released reports, gaming
revenues bounced back for
Black Hawk during Decem-
ber.

gered $71,430 million
during the month, a 17.74
percent jump over Novem-
ber, establishing a record
for $608.488 million in
wagers. In December 2022,
those who spent money
on sports betting wagered
$518.089 million.

Black Hawk’s 15 casinos
reported an 8.76 percent –
or $5.875 million rise – in
Adjusted Gross Proceeds
during the final month of
2023 compared to Decem-
ber 2022. AGP, or Adjusted
Gross Proceeds, is the
amount wagered by players
less the winnings paid to
players.

While Black Hawk’s AGP
has shown losses and gains
during the first six months
of Colorado’s fiscal gam-
ing year, the city’s casinos
entered 2024 slightly
ahead of the same period
in 2023. During the month,
Black Hawk provided
85.05 percent of the state’s
casino AGP revenues, while
Cripple Creek contributed
9.73 percent and Central
City 5.22 percent.

Today, the school building
retains its vintage appear-
ance on the exterior, but
changes are evident to those
who step inside. “I think it’s
wonderful. It’s just wonder-
ful. For some reason, there
seems like there’s more
room in it today compared
to the past,” commented Al-
derman Armbright. “When
I was growing up, my mom
and dad had the Gilpin Ho-
tel. I used to think that was
so big, too.”

Colorado collected
$3.682 million in taxes
from sports bets in Decem-
ber, representing a 147.27
percent increase from a
month earlier. It also was
a 42.52 percent increase
from December 2022
($2.584 million).

While Black Hawk fin-
ished the first six months
of the Colorado gaming
revenue with improved re-
sults from the period from
July 1 to Dec. 30 in 2022,
the gaming towns of Cen-
tral City and Cripple Creek
(Teller County) weren’t
quite as fortunate.

During December, NFL
football and NBA hoops
accounted for the most-
bet-upon sports, with 26.9
percent and 23.9 percent,
respectively, waged on
games. However, parlay/
combination bets repre-
sented the largest single
category – 28.5 percent
– of where the month was
played. Behind them, the
other most popular bets
were NCAA football (6.4
percent) and NCAA basket-
ball (4.2 percent).

Black Hawk saw AGP
increase in September,
November and December,
while declines occurred in
July, August and October.
Before July, Black Hawk
experienced an unprec-
edented winning streak, as
AGP set records for 26 of
27 months.

Central City’s AGP de-
clined by 0.34 percent, a
loss of $21,296, compared
to Dec. 2022, while Crip-
ple Creek showed a 5.89
percent rise, or $755,598.
For the final six months of
2023, Black Hawk expe-
rienced a .041 percent
increase (representing a
$1.759 million gain). At
the same time, Central’s
revenues stumbled by 4.77
percent, a loss of $2.009
million. Cripple Creek

Mayor David Spellman
grew up in Black Hawk
and – as an avid historian
of his city – recounted
the history of the build-
ing. “Construction on the
Black Hawk Schoolhouse
commenced on July 20,
1869, and was completed
by Dec. 24, 1869. The first
classes began on Feb. 28,
1870. The total cost of the
schoolhouse, including
furniture, was $14,538. It

“The Black Hawk School-
house missed its centennial
anniversary of operating
as an educational building
by 10 years as the school-
house closed its doors and
the last students left the
classrooms in the spring of
1960,” said Spellman.

Sports betting
Colorado saw record-set-
ting sports betting income
for the second consecutive
month in December.

(See related story on
how the old school is used
by the Black Hawk Police
Department today.)

According to state fig-
ures, sports bettors wa-

February 8, 2024