CENTRAL CITY, Colo. (AP) Gamblers lost nearly $726 million at Colorado's mountain casinos last year, helping the facilities post a 4 percent revenue increase over 2003.
The figures released Wednesday are good news for a state casino industry that reported its first decline in its 13-year history in 2003.
Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association, credited the improving revenues to a recovering state economy and industry growth.
The state also reaped a record in gambling taxes: Casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek paid $97.2 million in taxes in 2004, compared with $95.1 million in 2003.
The 4 percent growth is slow when compared with the 9- to 15-percent annual increases through much of the 1990s and early 2000s. Officials said they were optimistic about expansion projects in Black Hawk and the new Central City Parkway, a road that opened Nov. 19 to link the town with Interstate 70.
Black Hawk, the state's largest gambling town with 21 licensed operators, raked in $514.9 million last year, up from $505.3 million in 2003. Central City, which has lagged behind Black Hawk for years, pulled in $50.6 million last year, up from $48.9 million.
Cripple Creek, home to 19 casinos, brought in more than $146 million in 2004, up from $129.4 million.
Poker revenue overall last year was $17.3 million, up from $13.9 million. The number of poker tables also increased, from 68 tables in January 2003 to 115 tables currently.
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