Colorado Casinos and Gaming Guide USA casino guides Index Colorado casinos offer electronic games including slots, video poker, video blackjack and video keno, and table games of poker, blackjack, let it ride and three-card poker. Colorado’s limited gaming rules require that a single wager do not exceed $5. The casino towns are just about 40 miles from Denver. If you don’t want to drive, hop on the Casino Shuttle that makes regular runs between the city and Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Colorado Casinos Guide. Colorado is a pretty forward-thinking state in many areas, including gambling. The Centennial State is filled with opportunities to gamble with loads of land-based casinos spread across the state and several online options too. US players based in Colorado get the chance to play wonderful casino games, including slots.

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• Central City Colorado Casinos
• Colorado Casino Guide

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Of all the Colorado businesses reopening during recent weeks amid the COVID-19 crisis, casinos face some of the biggest challenges. After all, a significant portion of their clientele is in the sixty-and-up demographic that's most at risk of fatal consequences from the novel coronavirus, and casino operators need to persuade such folks that they won't be gambling with their lives while gambling away their children's inheritance.

To see how this pitch is working, we headed to Black Hawk, one of Colorado's three mountain towns that allow gambling, on Saturday, June 27, and visited two of the community's largest gaming establishments, Ameristar Casino, Resort and Spa and The Lodge Casino. What we found there were decent, if not overwhelming, crowds of customers more diverse in terms of age, if not ethnicity, than stereotypes might suggest, and the vast majority gave at least a nod toward social distancing and wore facial coverings.

Whether they wore them correctly is another matter.

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The Central City Parkway was far from jammed during our drive up from Denver. Still, the lower levels of the Ameristar parking garage were mostly filled upon our arrival, and the line to enter the casino, complete with floor stickers placed six feet apart, grew to around thirty people while we waited.

At a kiosk placed in front of escalators leading to the main floor, Ameristar employees stood ready to insert our driver's licenses into the slot of a small gadget connected to a contraption that combined temperature-taking with facial recognition.

After passing both tests, we rode an escalator down to the primary gambling zone. At first glance, few risk-takers were in sight, in part because gaming tables aren't yet operating, owing to the health issues related to multiple people handling cards, chips and the like.

But deeper into the casino, where most of the slot machines are grouped, the scene changed.

By our estimate, around 30 percent of the slots were being used at any given time, and few casino-goers from different parties sat directly next to each other. A gap of a machine or more was common, and as soon as someone moved on, an Ameristar employee would swoop in and disinfect the buttons, levers and seats so they'd be ready for the next person.

Likewise, sanitation stations with hand sanitizer were strategically placed in high-traffic areas.

Gamblers at least made a nod to following safety precautions; we saw only a few who eschewed a mask. But 10 to 20 percent of the customers at Ameristar wore their facial coverings underneath their nose, making their use utterly pointless.

A block away, the Lodge Casino used a different admission process. A masked employee handed us stickers reading 'TEMP CHECK' that we were told would be automatically scanned on our way to the gaming area to determine if we were running a fever. If we failed, we would be stopped by another staffer, but no one blocked our way, rendering the other word on the sticker — 'APPROVED' — entirely accurate.

The Lodge was a bit busier than Ameristar. Its gaming tables had been nixed, too, but approximately 40 to 50 percent of the slot machines were in use. Spacing between individuals or groups was also in evidence, and sanitation options were readily available.

Again, only a few customers had ditched their masks entirely, but 20 percent or so had them placed in such a nose-exposing way that they would have been equally effective in their pockets.

As people passed each other in the walkways between gambling pods, most of them allowed for six feet or more of space between them and others, just as signage featuring Yosemite Sam directed — and the volume of customers made that possible.

Over time, higher attendance at Black Hawk casinos could make social distancing more difficult — and because many gamblers spend entire days in such places, the risk of breathing the same recirculated air for hour upon hour could certainly come into play.

Which makes sense — since casinos are all about chance.

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Colorado casinos update:As of Nov. 16, table games in Gilpin County (Central City & Black Hawk) have closed down again. This was due to the county’s two-week coronavirus case total exceeding the threshold set by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. The casinos are open with slot machines operating and a reduction in capacity. We will be closely monitoring the situation on the ground and will update this spot with news as more develops.

Colorado Casinos

Colorado now offers several options for betting in state. Although online sports betting launched in Colorado in 2020, the state still does not permit online casino gaming for real money. For players who love casino games, there are a few options available. The gaming landscape includes more than 30 Colorado casinos located in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City. Many of these casinos now also offer retail sportsbook locations as well.

Colorado players also have access to sweepstakes casino sites. This means that players can access online casino games and play any time for cash prizes.

Looking to stay home but want to play casino games? We recommend Sweepstakes online casinos where you can play your favorite casino games for cash prizes. Our #1 recommended site is Chumba Casino.

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Chumba Casino is a great option for Colorado players who want to play online casino games without heading to a retail casino. Colorado has one of the strongest networks of retail casinos in the US, with plenty of options in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. But, Chumba offers casino fun from the comfort of home.

Play online casino games for cash prizes, including slots, progressive jackpot slots, and table games.

Colorado Casino Locations

The Centennial State has 31 land casinos and two more on tribal lands to the south. The state-sanctioned casinos can be found in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek, all of which have walkable central downtowns offering multiple casino options within close proximity, as well as plentiful dining and lodging options in all price ranges.

Colorado gamblers have no shortage of options when it comes to finding a venue to play their favorite casino games, no matter the time of day. Poker fans have dozens of tables offering live-action seven nights a week. Fans of table games like blackjack, three-card poker, roulette, and craps can always find a dealer ready. And of course, there are thousands of slot and video poker machines in the state waiting to be taken for a spin at any given time.

Colorado sports betting is a relative newcomer, but with almost two dozen active or upcoming online sportsbook apps in the state, and more than 30 master gambling licenses granted so far, Colorado is well on its way to claiming its place as a Mecca for sports bettors. Kiosks and retail sports betting windows will also be popping up all over the state, for those who prefer the in-person casino action to the app experience.

Black Hawk Casinos

Best Black Hawk Sportsbook – William Hill

Licensed in Colorado

Sportsbook Rating Excellent
William Hill Review

Although Cripple Creek is the most historic Colorado casino town, Black Hawk, also landed on the Colorado map when gold was discovered along the north fork of Clear Creek in 1859. The small mountain town was soon beset by thousands of miners and prospectors looking for a big strike of their own.

Today the population has dwindled from mining boom highs, but Black Hawk still sees up to 20,000 visitors a day looking to strike gold in a totally different way: at one of the city’s 15 casinos.

Located about 35 miles outside of Denver, Black Hawk has the most casinos out of any of Colorado’s three main gambling areas, including Ameristar, the biggest casino in the state.

Sports Betting In Black Hawk

Colorado sports betting launched on May 1. Multiple Black Hawk casinos will offer betting windows on-site or self-service kiosks like at William Hill, in addition to their sportsbook apps.

In-person sportsbooks in Black Hawk were slow to open due to the pandemic. As of right now, several Black Hawk casinos have retail sportsbook locations or sports betting kiosks. Many Colorado sportsbooks offer bonuses to new bettors, but only on their app or website.

Black Hawk Retail Sportsbook Locations:

• William Hill at Lady Luck Casino & Isle Casino >> Join William Hill and get a $500 Risk-Free Bet by depositing $250
• DraftKings Sportsbook at Mardi Gras Casino >> Join Draftkings Sportsbook and get up to a $1000 deposit bonus
• BetMonarch at Monarch Casino
• Betfred at Saratoga Casino
• ELITE Sportsbook at Red Dolly Casino
• Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino
• PlaySports powered by IGT at Sasquatch Casino & The Wild Card Saloon
• PlaySports powered by IGT at Z Casino (Coming soon)

Other casinos in town have formed partnerships to offer online sports betting but do not offer retail sportsbook kiosks, including:

• Bull Durham (Coming soon)
• The Lodge (Coming soon)
• The Gilpin (Coming soon)

Casino Games

Most casinos in Black Hawk have at least a few table games, many of them running 24/7. You can find classic casino games like blackjack, craps, and roulette, along with a few other, more niche games like Mississippi Stud and three-card poker. There are thousands of slot machines in Black Hawk as well, so whether you prefer the tables or trying your luck at the slots, Black Hawk has you covered.

You’ll find these table games in Black Hawk casinos:

• Blackjack (live dealer and video)
• Craps (live dealer and video)
• Roulette (live dealer and video)
• Mississippi Stud
• Three-Card Poker
• High Card Flush
• Pai Gow Poker
• Head’s Up Hold’em
• Baccarat (video only)

Blackjack Variants In Black Hawk

Blackjack comes in many different varieties these days. In addition to standard 6- or 8-deck shoe games, Black Hawk casinos offer several variants, including:

• Buffalo Bonus Blackjack
• STREAK Blackjack
• Buffalo Blackjack Extreme
• Blackjack Pair Square Bonus
• Double-Deck Pitch

Poker Rooms

Poker rooms or house-banked tables are available at the following properties:

Cripple Creek Casinos

Best Cripple Creek Sportsbook – PointsBet

Licensed in Colorado

Sportsbook Rating Excellent
PointsBet Review

Located about an hour south of Colorado Springs and two hours south of Denver, Cripple Creek is a former gold mining town turned gambling resort. Historic East Bennett Avenue traverses much of the downtown, where most of the city’s nine casinos can be found.

Visiting Cripple Creek is a bit like stepping back in time, with the building facades, many original, resembling that Old West style of architecture. But you’ll find the latest slots and table games at just about every casino in town, with locals and out-of-towners alike hoping to hit the jackpot.

Sports Betting In Cripple Creek

New to Colorado in 2020 is sports betting, both in-person and online through sportsbook apps. Multiple Cripple Creek casinos have partnered with global sports betting brands and will offer betting windows on-site or self-service kiosks.

Cripple Creek Retail Sportsbook Locations:

• BetWildwood at Wildwood Casino
• BetAmerica at Bronco Billy’s
• PointsBet at Double Eagle Hotel & Casino (app available and retail coming soon) >> Claim up to $1,500 in risk-free bets using bonus code BIGBONUS
• ISI-powered Kiosks (app in partnership with Sportsbetting.com coming soon) at Johnny Nolon’s
• ISI-powered Kiosks at Colorado Grande

Other casinos in town have formed partnerships to offer online sports betting but do not offer retail sportsbook kiosks, including:

• Midnight Rose/McGills/Brass Ass
• Sir William’s Casino formerly known as Christmas Casino & Inn (Coming soon)

Casino Games

Cripple Creek casinos offer all of the table games you would expect, from blackjack and three-card poker to roulette and craps. Not all casinos have table games, but if slots are your game of choice you will find plenty of one-armed bandits at any casino you find yourself in.

You’ll find these table games in Cripple Creek casinos:

• Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette
• Ultimate Texas Hold’Em
• Three-Card Poker
• Wild Six Card Draw Poker

Blackjack Variants In Cripple Creek

Blackjack comes in many different varieties these days. In addition to standard 6- or 8-deck shoe games, Cripple Creek casinos offer several variants, including:

Casino Guide Book

• Buffalo Bonus Blackjack
• Buffalo Bonus Blackjack 2
• Double-Up Blackjack
• Double-Deck Pitch

The minimum bet is usually $5, but some casinos in town have special days where the minimum bet is $2 or $3. Colorado’s maximum allowable bet is $100.

Poker Rooms

Poker rooms or house-banked tables are available at the following properties:

• Bronco Billy’s
• Wildwood Casino
• Century Casino
• Double Eagle Casino
• Midnight Rose Hotel & casino
• Brass Ass Casino
• Johnny Nolon’s Casino

Central City Casinos

Just up the street from Black Hawk is Central City, which saw the very same rush of prospectors invading the city during the mining boom. In its heyday, Central City had a larger population than Black Hawk. Today, it’s the smaller of the two casino towns, featuring about a third of the number of casinos. Central City is a slot lover’s paradise and a perfect gambling spot for people who value the personal service offered by smaller casinos.

Sports Betting In Central City

For the moment, there are no operational sports betting windows in Central City. However, there have been some prominent partnerships made between global sportsbook brands and casinos in town:

• Dostal Alley (Betsson)
• Century Casino (Circa Sports)

In late November 2020, Grand Z Casino and Johnny Z’s announced a partnership with IGT and Maverick Gaming. Both casinos, along with Z Casino in Black are expected to launch the PlaySports online sports betting platform and retail kiosks sometime in the next few months.

Casino Games

Central City Colorado Casinos

Not all casinos in Central City have table games, it’s a more slot-focused casino town. Table games are still closed at casinos statewide until further notice, but the town does offer several table game options.

You’ll find these table games in Central City casinos:

• Blackjack
• Roulette

Poker Rooms

Poker rooms or house-banked tables are available at the following Central City properties:

Colorado Casinos COVID Closures

Have Colorado Casinos Opened?

Colorado casinos are open for business, thanks to a pair of variance approvals exempting Teller and Gilpin Counties from provisions of Colorado Governor Jared Polis ‘safer-at-home’ order. Teller county is home to Cripple Creek casinos. Gilpin county is home to Black Hawk and Central City casinos.

For now, all guests and employees must wear masks at all times, and you’ll find mandatory temperature screenings at the entrance of every casino. Only slots are open for now, with table games slated to be revisited by health officials at a later date.

Are Cripple Creek Casinos Open?

Cripple Creek casinos initially reopened on June 15, 2020 after receiving a variance from Teller County health officials. The casinos were limited to 50% occupancy and all visitors required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

In mid-November 2020, Cripple Creek casinos again faced the prospect of complete closure due to the county entering the “Orange Zone” laid out by its COVID-19 action plan. After appealing to the county, casinos were allowed to remain open at 25% capacity.

The opening was restricted to slot machines only, with table games set to reopen later as long as there isn’t a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the county.

Are Black Hawk and Central City Casinos Open?

Gilpin County, home of Black Hawk and Central City, reopened casinos on June 17, 2020 without table games. Tables games were reintroduced in September 2020, and they closed again in mid-November 2020.

Tribal casinos in the southern part of the state are holding off on reopening for now, however. Read our report for more information on the state of casino reopenings in La Plata and Montezuma County here.

Further Reading

We’ve been extensively covering the reopening. Here’s some of our additional coverage in case you missed it:

• What changes you can expect to see at Colorado’s newly reopened casinos
• An account of our visit to newly reopened Central City and Black Hawk casinos
• We talked to Colorado physicians to get their take about the reopening plans

What About Tribal Casinos In Colorado? Are They Open?

Colorado Casino Guide

The two tribal casinos in Colorado remain closed. La Plata and Montezuma counties, home of Sky Ute and Ute Mountain casinos, will not be allowed to open until the trajectory of their Covid-19 cases starts trending downwards.

When Did Online Sports Betting Launch In Colorado?

As of May 1, online sports betting is officially live! Colorado sports bettors can join the action right now with big-name players like DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, and many more.

Colorado’s retail casinos have yet to open in-person sports betting windows or kiosks, with Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk the first of two exceptions. DraftKings has opened a temporary sportsbook window at the Mardi Gras Casino, also in Black Hawk, on Friday, July 10.

Learn everything you need to know about legal sports betting in Colorado.

Colorado Casino FAQ

Colorado’s 33 casinos are chiefly located in Black Hawk/Central City and Cripple Creek. Black Hawk and Central City share a main thoroughfare, and are about 45 minutes from downtown Denver. Cripple Creek is about a two hour and 15 minute drive from Denver.

The state’s tribal casinos are located in Montezuma and La Plata counties, and are located about a 6-7 hour drive from Denver.

When Colorado casinos first opened in 1990, the maximum bet allowed by law was just $5. In 2008, the maximum wager was raised to $100. These caps do not apply to sports betting, however.

There are initiatives in the works that would remove the cap on the max bet, including Proposition 257, but so far none have materialized.

Nearly all casinos in Colorado offer beverage service to players, most for free. What will change casino to casino is whether the free drinks for players are limited to certain items (just beer, for instance.) Other casinos provide free top-shelf alcoholic drinks to all players. If drink service is important to you, check with the casino to see what they offer.

Many of the casinos in Colorado offer lodging, especially the larger ones. Check the casino website to find out if they have rooms available and make reservations if you plan an overnight stay.