Gambling Limits In Colorado Could Rise With Ballot Initiative

• Colorado voters will get the chance to vote on Initiative No. 257, a gambling bill that will allow gaming communities to decide on the maximum betting limit via local election.
• The bill will also allow for more casino games to launch than are already allowed.
• Voters will cast their ballots in November.

DENVER – Colorado’s betting limit bill, Initiative No. 257 will be voted on in November. The bill is in regards to empowering three gambling communities with their own local betting limits.

If passed, these areas will be allowed to determine their casino wager limits via local election. They will also be allowed to add more casino games that are already approved by the Colorado Constitution.

The bills ultimate goal is to empower the local casino operations and further expand the gambling community influence.

Initiative No. 257

Colorado gamblers are familiar with the initiative as it has been floating around for quite some time.

The bill was initially proposed on February 4, 2020, to the Colorado Legislative Council and the Office of Legislative Legal Services.

Due to COVID-19 causing casinos to close their doors, the gambling market has suffered. This proposition would allow for more wagers to be made and hopefully help local casinos recoup on the losses they suffered.

“The pandemic and economic shutdown have financially gutted our towns because our local economies are built around hotels, restaurants and tourists who visit because of gaming,” said Bruce Brown, former Cripple Creek Mayor. “This measure won’t change things overnight, but it is an important start and could help us get back on our feet.”

Interestingly, Colorado has voted and approved a similar bill back in 2008. Amendment 50 was a constitutional amendment that would allow the residents in the three gaming communities to vote on casino changes.

This bill is what added craps to Colorado’s casinos and what initially set the betting limits to $100.

There is hope that this new initiative will have a similar, and more aggressive affect than that of Amendment 50.

“If these mountain communities want to increase travel and tourism, they should be allowed to do so as they are the ones most directly impacted,” said Bill Cadman, former Colorado Senate President. “The modest boost in revenue would be a win-win for businesses and employees in these towns, as well the community colleges that will receive more resources to help students obtain a college degree.”

Residents of the Centennial State will have to wait until November to make a decision on Initiative No. 257. If approved, the new system will hopefully recover the legal gambling community in Colorado.