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The National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) now counts the town of Black Hawk, Colorado as the first municipality among its members. Black Hawk voted to join the association on March 19 following a presentation by an executive with Monarch Casino, which operates in the city.
That presentation characterized the potential legalization of online casino play in Colorado as a detriment to the city’s economic well-being. However, that possibility remains hypothetical for the moment in any case.
While the Colorado legislature has not yet considered any proposals to regulate iGaming in the state, Wednesday’s presentation also addressed the possibility of such considerations in the future. The council meeting could preview how Black Hawk officials would weigh in on the matter.
City council votes to join NAAiG
According to draft minutes from the March 19 meeting of the Black Hawk City Council, the council approved a motion to join NAAiG by a unanimous vote. The record provides a summation of the presentation by Monarch Casino Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jason Gumer to the council on the subject.
In addition to his verbal remarks, Gumer presented material that the NAAiG commissioned to the council members.
That material touted internal statistics suggesting that legal online casino play in Colorado would create job loss and reduce economic output in Black Hawk. Gumer argued that the regulation of iGaming in Colorado would limit the growth of the brick-and-mortar gaming industry in the state as well.
After questions and statements from council members, the vote happened without discussion. For the NAAiG, it’s a first in welcoming a city that is home to physical casinos to its membership.
NAAiG diversifies membership with city inclusion
The NAAiG formed in February and touted its membership including land-based casino operators, advocacy groups, vendors serving physical gaming operations, and labor unions. The association identified its purpose as “preserving local jobs, ensuring economic stability, and promoting safe, responsible gaming practices.”
According to the NAAiG website, prominent gaming companies that belong to the association include Churchill Downs and the gaming division of The Cordish Companies. Listed unions include UFCW27 and SEATU.
While the NAAiG has not formally taken part in hearings related to online casino legalization bills in state legislatures yet, members of the association have done so. As an example, a representative from The Cordish Companies testified against a proposal that could put the question of iGaming legalization to voters in Maryland.
No such proposals have surfaced in Denver to date but the city council meeting touched on that possibility. The attitude toward legal iGaming across Colorado might not be as sour.
Gumer discusses state of online casino play across Colorado
While there have been rumblings of discussions between lawmakers in Colorado and gaming industry officials regarding regulated online casinos, those rumors have not yet been confirmed or produced any actual legislation. According to the minutes, Gumer claimed that the NAAiG has allies in the state House of Representatives.
Gumer also claimed that another company that operates casinos in Black Hawk, Caesars Entertainment, supports the potential regulation of iGaming in Colorado. Caesars offers its Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino in multiple US states where such gaming is legal.
Gumer stated that Penn Entertainment, which operates the Ameristar Black Hawk, opposes legal iGaming in Colorado despite the fact that the company offers its Hollywood Online Casino in multiple states. Attempts to get confirmation of that claim from Penn have so far gone unresponded to.
Other companies that operate Black Hawk casinos have similarly yet to weigh in on the issue and may not do so until legislation materializes in Denver. That includes Bally’s, which offers its online casino product in multiple states as well.
Gaming licensees in other Colorado venues like Central City and Cripple Creek would be part of any discussion on the issue at the state level as well. Barring a significant change of sentiment, the voice of Black Hawk’s city council will be in opposition to further expansion of online gambling in Colorado.
