Nicknamed the ”Centennial State”, Colorado is ranked 22nd in terms of population size and 37th in terms of population density among all the states, according to 2014 data by the US Census Bureau.
One of the most popular gambling areas across the state is the city of Black Hawk, which offers a stunning mix of authentic gold-mining history and modern-day hotels and casinos. The city hosts the largest number of casinos across the state – 16. Located in proximity to it is Central City, which also hosts an array of gaming venues. Cripple Creek is another notable gold-mining-turned-gambling location, which features 15 casinos.
A Closer Look at Industry Numbers
| Monthly Casino Gaming Revenue by Type in Colorado in US dollars (2015) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue | No. of Tables* | No. of Slots |
| April | 7,451,721 | 56,075,882 | 63,527,603 | 298 | 13,550 |
| March | 8,121,385 | 61,035,753 | 69,157,138 | 296 | 13,640 |
| February | 7,635,784 | 49,195,776 | 56,831,560 | 298 | 13,586 |
| January | 7,473,275 | 55,010,203 | 62,483,478 | 299 | 13,644 |
* Table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, HB poker and PB poker are included in this figure
Source: Colorado Department of Revenue
| Monthly Change in Casino Gaming Revenue by Type in Colorado in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue |
| April | -8.25 | -8.13 | -8.14 |
| March | 6.36 | 24.07 | 21.69 |
| February | 2.17 | -10.57 | -9.05 |
| January | 8.70 | 9.91 | 9.77 |
Revenue from table games in Colorado slid for the first time in the past four months in April 2015, down at a monthly rate of 8.25%, to reach USD 7.451 million. It has been the lowest monthly table revenue since December 2014, when a figure of USD 6.875 million was reported.
Revenue from slot machines fell for the second time in the past four months in April, down 8.13% compared to the March level.
Total casino gaming revenue also contracted for the second time in the past four months in April, down at a monthly rate of 8.14%, to USD 63.527 million.
| Monthly Casino Gaming Revenue by Type and by City in US dollars (2015) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Black Hawk | Central City | Cripple Creek | |||
| Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | |
| April | 6,334,123 | 41,951,079 | 324,487 | 4,866,468 | 793,110 | 9,258,336 |
| March | 6,846,492 | 45,191,643 | 392,467 | 5,611,171 | 882,426 | 10,232,939 |
| February | 6,478,107 | 36,742,550 | 261,807 | 4,385,806 | 895,870 | 8,067,420 |
| January | 6,267,494 | 41,692,014 | 360,067 | 4,905,868 | 845,714 | 8,412,321 |
Source: Colorado Department of Revenue
| Monthly Change in Casino Gaming Revenue by Type and by City in % | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Black Hawk | Central City | Cripple Creek | |||
| Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | |
| April | -7.48 | -7.17 | -17.32 | -13.27 | -10.12 | -9.52 |
| March | 5.69 | 23.00 | 49.91 | 27.94 | -1.50 | 26.84 |
| February | 3.36 | -11.87 | -27.29 | -10.60 | 5.93 | -4.10 |
| January | 7.25 | 11.20 | 34.12 | 14.34 | 10.81 | 1.76 |
In April 2015 compared to a month ago, table revenue dropped in all three notable areas of Colorado. The most considerable monthly drop was observed in Central City (17.32%).
In Black Hawk, April’s figure marked the first monthly revenue drop in four months, while in Cripple Creek April was the second consecutive month of table revenue decline.
Monthly revenue from slot machines also fell in all three areas during April, with the steepest fall being registered at Central City (13.27%).
In March compared to February, slot revenue went up at all three gambling locations, as the largest increase was observed in Central City (27.94%).
The same tendency in slot revenue was seen in January 2015 compared to December 2014. The most significant monthly increase was reported in Central City (14.34%).
January 2015 was a positive month in terms of table revenue as well, with the fastest monthly rate of growth being reported in Central City (34.12%).
In February compared to January, slot revenue decreased in all three areas, with the steepest slide being observed in Black Hawk (11.87%).
| Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in US dollars (1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| Black Hawk | $560,598,893 | $553,082,797 | $558,542,208 | $550,883,660 | $559,445,467 | $529,976,828 |
| Central City | $62,315,892 | $67,592,801 | $74,551,241 | $67,819,656 | $65,727,144 | $64,257,223 |
| Cripple Creek | $123,432,964 | $128,032,315 | $133,160,559 | $131,405,587 | $134,437,711 | $140,356,304 |
| Total | $745,897,749 | $748,707,912 | $766,254,008 | $750,108,903 | $759,610,323 | $734,590,354 |
Source: Colorado Department of Revenue
| Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in US dollars (2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Black Hawk | $508,685,618 | $581,385,160 | $554,484,627 | $531,878,276 | $524,035,343 | $506,476,837 |
| Central City | $67,112,131 | $79,782,553 | $74,538,934 | $72,610,402 | $53,178,879 | $49,908,926 |
| Cripple Creek | $140,081,962 | $154,962,066 | $153,075,257 | $151,011,042 | $148,689,335 | $142,525,101 |
| Total | $715,879,711 | $816,129,779 | $782,098,818 | $755,499,720 | $725,903,556 | $698,910,864 |
| Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in US dollars (3) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
| Black Hawk | $524,464,856 | $478,326,427 | $433,768,948 | $354,913,835 | $272,007,738 | $234,631,114 |
| Central City | $52,800,335 | $59,730,077 | $63,452,945 | $73,793,917 | $93,979,630 | $87,390,762 |
| Cripple Creek | $142,436,212 | $138,617,688 | $134,630,255 | $122,611,399 | $113,230,208 | $108,628,350 |
| Total | $719,701,403 | $676,674,192 | $631,852,149 | $551,319,150 | $479,217,576 | $430,650,227 |
| Annual Change in Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in % (1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| Black Hawk | 1.36 | -0.98 | 1.39 | -1.53 | 5.56 | 4.19 |
| Central City | -7.81 | -9.33 | 9.93 | 3.18 | 2.29 | -4.25 |
| Cripple Creek | -3.59 | -3.85 | 1.34 | -2.26 | -4.22 | 0.20 |
| Total | -0.38 | -2.29 | 2.15 | -1.25 | 3.41 | 2.61 |
| Annual Change in Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in % (2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Black Hawk | -12.50 | 4.85 | 4.25 | 1.50 | 3.47 | -3.43 |
| Central City | -15.88 | 7.03 | 2.66 | 36.54 | 6.55 | -5.48 |
| Cripple Creek | -9.60 | 1.23 | 1.37 | 1.56 | 4.33 | 0.06 |
| Total | -12.28 | 4.35 | 3.52 | 4.08 | 3.86 | -2.89 |
| Annual Change in Total Casino Gaming Revenue in Colorado by Calendar Year in % (3) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |
| Black Hawk | 9.65 | 10.27 | 22.22 | 30.48 | 15.93 |
| Central City | -11.60 | -5.87 | -14.01 | -21.48 | 7.54 |
| Cripple Creek | 2.75 | 2.96 | 9.80 | 8.29 | 4.24 |
| Total | 6.36 | 7.09 | 14.61 | 15.05 | 11.28 |
Total casino gaming revenue in the state of Colorado declined for a second consecutive calendar year in 2014 to reach USD 745.897 million. It has been the lowest revenue level since 2009, when a figure of 734.590 million was reported.
Total casino gaming revenue in the city of Cripple Creek fell a second year in a row in 2014 to USD 123.432 million. It has been the lowest annual revenue since 1999, when a figure of 122.611 million was posted.
Total casino gaming revenue in Central City demonstrated a similar tendency. 2014 has been a second consecutive year of revenue decline and also the lowest level since 2004.
Black Hawk has been the only area, where total gaming revenue went up in 2014 compared to a year ago to reach USD 560.598 million. It has also been the highest annual revenue since 2007, when a figure of USD 581.385 million was reported.
2008 and 2013 marked a predominant decline in casino gaming revenue across the state of Colorado. Total casino revenue fell at the fastest annual rate in Central City during both years.
1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012 have been years of revenue growth in all Colorado areas, with the strongest rate of increase being registered in 1998 (11.28%).
Central City has been the only area to post a revenue decline in five out of ten years during the period 1998-2007 and also the only area to post five successive years of shrinking revenue (1999-2003). The five-year drop rate was 58.44%.
During the period 1998-2007, Cripple Creek has been the only area to report ten consecutive years of revenue growth. The ten-year rate of increase was 36.59%. During the same period, Black Hawk posted a revenue drop in only one year out of ten, in 2003.
| Total Casino Gaming Revenue by Type and by Fiscal Year (July 1st – June 30th) in US dollars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2014 | $81,209,719 | $659,437,217 | $740,646,936 |
| 2013 | $80,965,633 | $680,455,398 | $761,421,031 |
| 2012 | $78,711,796 | $680,925,646 | $759,637,442 |
| 2011 | $75,609,193 | $678,506,177 | $754,115,370 |
| 2010 | $77,259,939 | $674,646,688 | $751,906,627 |
| 2009 | $31,303,430 | $670,467,543 | $701,770,973 |
| 2008 | $30,646,065 | $742,746,172 | $773,392,237 |
| 2007 | $30,377,214 | $768,592,556 | $798,969,770 |
| 2006 | $29,145,569 | $736,280,589 | $765,426,158 |
| 2005 | $29,521,886 | $714,313,985 | $743,835,871 |
| 2004 | $26,546,478 | $684,468,856 | $711,015,334 |
| 2003 | $24,456,788 | $682,773,115 | $707,229,903 |
Source: Colorado Department of Revenue
During the fiscal year ended on June 30th 2014, revenue from table games in Colorado has reached its highest level during the past 11 years (at USD 81.209 million), while, at the same time, revenue from slot machines has plunged to its lowest level during the period between fiscal year 2003-2004 and fiscal year 2013-2014 (at USD 659.437 million).
During the fiscal year ended on June 30th 2014, total casino gaming revenue in the state of Colorado contracted for the first time in the past five fiscal years, to reach USD 740.646 million. It has also been the lowest revenue figure since the fiscal year 2008-2009, when total casino revenue in the state was reported at USD 701.770 million.
| Annual Change in Total Casino Gaming Revenue by Type and by Fiscal Year (July 1st – June 30th) in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2014 | 0.30 | -3.09 | -2.73 |
| 2013 | 2.86 | -0.07 | 0.23 |
| 2012 | 4.10 | 0.36 | 0.73 |
| 2011 | -2.14 | 0.57 | 0.29 |
| 2010 | 146.81 | 0.62 | 7.14 |
| 2009 | 2.15 | -9.73 | -9.26 |
| 2008 | 0.89 | -3.36 | -3.20 |
| 2007 | 4.23 | 4.39 | 4.38 |
| 2006 | -1.27 | 3.08 | 2.90 |
| 2005 | 11.21 | 4.36 | 4.62 |
| 2004 | 8.54 | 0.25 | 0.54 |
Table revenue in Colorado fell in only 2 out of the past 11 fiscal years, with the average annual rate of growth being 16.15%.
Slot revenue in Colorado went down in 4 out of the past 11 fiscal years, with the most considerable annual drop being in the fiscal year 2008-2009 (9.73%).
Total casino gaming revenue in Colorado shrank in 3 out of the past 11 fiscal years, with the most notable annual decline being in the fiscal year 2008-2009 (9.26%).
| Revenue Share by Type and by Fiscal Year in % | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Table Revenue | Slot Revenue | Total |
| 2014 | 10.96 | 89.04 | 100 |
| 2013 | 10.63 | 89.37 | 100 |
| 2012 | 10.36 | 89.64 | 100 |
| 2011 | 10.03 | 89.97 | 100 |
| 2010 | 10.28 | 89.72 | 100 |
| 2009 | 4.46 | 95.54 | 100 |
| 2008 | 3.96 | 96.04 | 100 |
| 2007 | 3.80 | 96.20 | 100 |
| 2006 | 3.81 | 96.19 | 100 |
| 2005 | 3.97 | 96.03 | 100 |
| 2004 | 3.73 | 96.27 | 100 |
During the past 11 fiscal years, on average, table games accounted for 6.91% of total casino revenue in Colorado, with the largest revenue share being in the fiscal year 2013-2014, or 10.96%, and the lowest revenue share being in the fiscal year 2003-2004, or 3.73%.
During the past 11 fiscal years, on average, slot machines accounted for 93.09% of total casino revenue in Colorado, with the largest revenue share being in the fiscal year 2003-2004, or 96.27%, and the lowest revenue share being in the fiscal year 2013-2014, or 89.04%.
