Colorado Celebrates the Start of New Gaming Rules in the State
Casino facilities in Colorado threw parties to mark the enforcement of the Amendment 50 rules on July 2nd, 2009, complete with ribbon cutting and live bands. Customers and casino executives alike were very happy over the sweeping changes to Colorado's gaming regulations that improved the maximum wager from $5 to $100 and permit casino facilities to change their gaming line-up to add craps and roulette and stay open for the whole day.
Colorado gaming industry officials say that the state voter-approved changes that took effect at exactly 12:01 a.m. together with the July 4th holiday, could lead to the busiest weekend in Colorado gaming. The general manager of the Isle of Capri Casino in Black Hawk, John Bohannon said that they are looking at it like the New Year's Eve, which is traditionally their busiest time of the year.
Troubled by the ongoing financial crisis since January 2008, the gambling industry of Colorado went-all out to welcome the gaming changes. The Isle of Capri casino's celebration included entertainment from the Boogie Machine band. The casino facility appointed comedian Michael Winslow-who is well-known for making interesting sound effects with his mouth in the "Police Academy" movies-to roll the ceremonial craps dice just before midnight.
In Central City, Fortune Valley's celebration included impersonators by the King of Rock and Roll and a Frank Sinatra show. Winslow, who attended Denver Colorado's Jefferson High School, said that he believes that Colorado will develop into a gaming mecca in the near future. Many players drove up late just to enjoy the new games.
One of those players is Christie Balderston, who said that she and her husband personally drove up to Colorado to play roulette at the Isle of Capri casino. She even managed to reserve a hotel room at the Isle. Arvada resident Mike Reish was not as luck as Balderston. He said that the hotel facilities were full all the way to Idaho Springs, about 20 minutes from the Isle of Capri casino.
The craps table at the Isle of Capri casino was crowded with players as they officially start implementing the new gaming law. The first wager in craps was accomplished by Nancy McCallin of the Colorado Community College System and Ed Nichols of the Colorado Historical Society-two non-profit organizations that will benefit from the gaming tax revenue.
2009-08-11
Sophie White
