Citizens in the Black Hawk community of Colorado are trying to pass a law today that may help the slumping casino revenues. The casinos in the area are seeing record lows since they were created in the early 1990s. The casinos make up the economy for Black Hawk and their survival is key to the town’s survival.

Voters will be trying to pass a law that would raise the maximum bet from $5 to $100 and add roulette and craps games to the casinos. The casinos would also be staying open all day long. The town believes that raising the maximum betting limits will make them more competitive to other casinos around the country and increase their revenues.

This is a surprising turn since many casinos are having to close earlier than normal, cut pay or let go of some of their employees during these rough economic times. Black Hawk expects their revenues to be down $28 million this year from the $32 million they made in 2008.

If passed the measure of law would not go into effect until the summer months. Black Hawk has already had to lay off almost twenty percent of their workers to help with finances and even if the measure is passed it will not help the current situation at the casino.


- 2009-01-14