Colorado Casinos Oppose Slots at Tracks

COLORADO – As reported by the Denver Post: "Colorado's mountain casino owners are vehemently opposed to a ballot measure that would legalize slot-style gambling at five Front Range racetracks, but a handful of them are either benefiting from or pushing for similar `racino' gaming in other states.

"Penn National Gaming Inc., the parent of Bullwhackers Casino in Black Hawk, has pumped $140,000 into a campaign that calls Amendment 33 `bad for our families, bad for local governments, bad for taxpayers and bad for our tourism industry.'

"Meanwhile, Penn operates 2,700 video lottery terminals at a West Virginia racetrack that generates more money for the company than any of its other gaming holdings. Further, the owner of the Riviera Casino in Black Hawk has applied for a racino license in New Mexico. Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., which operates a casino in Black Hawk, is pushing for the terminals in Florida and has applied for a racetrack license in Pennsylvania that is contingent on the state approving video gambling. And Centaur Inc., the parent of Harvey's Wagon Wheel Hotel and Casino, is supporting efforts to bring slot machines to racetracks in Indiana.

"The Riviera has contributed $377,000 to the anti-Amendment 33 campaign, the Isle $393,000 and Centaur $175,000. The campaign, which is called `Don't Turn Racetracks into Casinos,' has raised about $3 million.

"…The casinos also say they are against Amendment 33 because they fear it would hurt Colorado's three gaming towns - Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek…"