Gambling’s lots of fun, I’ve done it, but it’s not without potential pitfalls.

In Brief: Amendment 77 would allow voters in the three Colorado casino towns – Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk – to pass ballot measure that would increase or remove bet limits, and/or to allow new casino games. Amendment 77 is a combination Constitutional amendment and statutory amendment, and it will take only a simple majority for the measure to pass.

Why or Why Not?: The legal gaming environment in Colorado has gone through changes and expansions in recent years. In particular, Amendment 50 from 2008 extended the allowable hours of operation of casinos in the three towns, allowed the games of roulette and craps, and increased the cap on single bets from $5 up to a maximum of $100. Also, voters legalized sports betting in 2019 with Proposition DD.

Passing Amendment 77 would remove from the Constitution language specifically saying roulette and craps are allowable games, leaving only language saying voters may approve other games without identifying what specific games could be approved. Also, 77 would remove Constitutional language limiting bets to $100, in essence saying there would be no mandatory Constitutional cap, though voters could still approve a cap. Or not.

Casinos must pay taxes on the difference between betting revenue and payouts. Under Amendment 77, community colleges would get 78% of these proceeds, 12% would go to Gilpin and Teller county governments (the counties in which the three cities are located), and 10% would go to the cities of Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City. Community colleges would be able to spend this money on student retention and completion efforts if 77 passes, whereas today they’re limited to uses under current law such as financial aid, classroom instruction, and workforce development programs.

Casino gaming in Colorado already has formal oversight from the Colorado Gaming Commission and the Division of Gaming under the Department of Revenue.

Amendment 77 Pro:

  • Tax revenue from gaming supports Colorado community colleges, and state higher education support is substandard so every little bit helps.
  • Depending on voters’ decisions, Amendment 77 could give casino patrons more gaming options, and along with potential larger bet limits the casinos could offer greater excitement or enjoyment of the gambling experience.
  • Possible changes will need to go to the voters, giving the people an opportunity to deny a change they might not trust or like.

Amendment 77 Con:

  • Gambling is risky, especially for those who don’t have savings or disposable income, and losing a larger bet could lead to real consequences.
  • It’s not desirable that the State of Colorado often uses “sin taxes” to fund or help fund what ought to be core services, like the community college system.

Richard’s Take: I don’t have the strongest of feelings on this one, but I’m leaning NO because of the potential for increased betting limits. Even before the COVID-19 recession or depression, gambling was somewhat dangerous for people who might play with money that ought to be available for responsible necessities – paying for housing, insurance, food, saving for retirement, etc. With the pandemic, losing large sums at the casino can be a serious hardship for people who can’t afford it, and on top of that turning to gambling might have some appeal as a way to possibly make money while unemployed or underemployed.

On the other hand, the potential that Amendment 77 would generate funding for community colleges is a plus for me, but there’s no guarantee what voters in the gaming cities would approve or how much new games or betting limits would actually help community colleges.

I’m not morally opposed to all gambling, but there’s a financial point at which it goes beyond good-natured fun, and at that point I believe people ought to take it to Vegas or Monte Carlo. I appreciate that voter approval would be necessary to make changes, but I’m also somewhat concerned that the casino corporations would dominate election advertising spending. I feel very lucky to have seen Central City and Black Hawk before the casinos – old-Colorado small mountain towns with historic town centers and small populations – and treasure those memories vastly more than any attraction I might have to the glitz and big money and massive buildings of today.