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.

The preliminary design, created by Al- exandr Sheykhet of Obermeier-Sheykhet Architects of Denver, includes a 27-story, 315-foot-tall hotel tower with about 100 luxury suites near the intersection of Law- rence and D Streets. The architect said the size of the hotel tower would be similar to the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in neighboring Black Hawk.

Tower would cut off sunlight

Residents from the nearby Casey Street hillside have protested the proposed hotel tower, saying it would cast shadows on their homes during the winter months.
The residents noted that their wood-frame homes need direct, natural sunlight to aid in heating and to help prevent potentially high fuel bills in winter. They
also frequently complained about the loss of scenic views from the front of their homes—since they would look directly into the hotel tower— during the Central City Planning Commission meeting on Sept. 3.

One of the biggest points of contention will be whether the city’s Land Use Code allows the tower to be built in the Gregory Gulch Gaming District. In other parts of the city, including the Historic Downtown Gaming District along Main and Eureka Streets, the code bans new buildings taller than the historic, four-story Teller House.

Test borings on the property

Sheykhet said there are no other spots on the 12.33-acre site where the hotel could be built. He explained to the Planning Commission that
test borings around the property uncovered underground mine shafts and tunnels – remnants from Central’s gold-mining era – which prevent those areas from being considered as potential hoteltower sites.

Planning commission

The Planning Commission sided with the Casey residents, voting 5-0 to reject the preliminary plans for the resort. The recommendation was forwarded to city council. Fey and aldermen Marcia Enloe, Todd Williams, Zane Plsek and Chuck Spencer are expected to hear comments from pro- and anti-GGGR sympathizers during Tuesday’s meeting. However, city council and the Central City Urban Development Authority – which includes the mayor and aldermen – previously announced the city will consider using eminent domain to help acquire land in the vicinity of the proposed resort.

Meanwhile, the five elected officials are also dealing with declining city revenues during their 2026 budget discussions this month. Without additional revenues, Central may struggle to pay for city services and infrastructure improvements. Members are also considering eliminating $25,000 donations to some of the city’s non-profit organizations, which is also likely to be disputed by residents in the months ahead.

No new recent casinos
The Central leaders are pen with Maverick Gaming’s Grand Z and Dragon Tiger Casinos. Maverick filed for bankruptcy in a federal Texa court on July 14. As part of its ing facility. Century’s parent company, Century Casinos Inc., reported a loss of $20.6 million in its first quarter. In August, the parent company announced that its board of directors authorized a “strategic review process” for the company’s operations, which also include casinos in West Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, Reno, Nev., Canada, and five casinos in Poland. It’s possible the parent companies
may consider closing some of their lower-revenue locations.

In recent years, Central’s professional real estate firm has been attempting to sell the Big T parking lot and adjoining Quartz Hill property to potential casino developers, although there haven’t been any offers for years.

Sheykhet previously stated that once the city grants preliminary approval for the Planned Unit Development, the final plans will be developed and presented to Central City in early 2026.