Thirty-three casinos have bitten the dust as a result of limited stakes gaming legislation sanctioned in 1992 by Colorado voters. Most of the shutdowns have occurred in Central City or Cripple Creek, south of Colorado Springs. The New Mexico casino operator's shutdown displaces 55 employees and silences 180 gaming devices. Maloof also owns and operates the Fiesta Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

In the mountains west of Denver, Central City neighbors Black Hawk, where Lady Luck shines. Visitors first arrive at Black Hawk, home to the state's largest casinos, and seldom venture their chances down the road in Central City, allowing Black Hawk to reap most of the gaming industry rewards. Central City business owners, hoping to cash in on the high stakes, want to build a $45-million, four-lane southern access road into town from Interstate 70.

Casinos in Black Hawk, a former mining town in the mountains west of Golden, account for 70% or $433.7 million of the $631.8 million take that had been generated last year by Colorado casinos. The record-setting tally is up 15% for the second consecutive year, according to the Colorado Division of Gaming. Gaming revenues have pumped $82.1 million in year 2000 tax proceeds to the state. There are now 42 casinos operational in the state, a 44% decrease since 1992.