All bets are on for Amendment 50

BLACK HAWK - Fifty was a winning number Tuesday night. Colorado voters approved a measure that could raise betting stakes and help struggling colleges in the process.

The cards have been dealt, Amendment 50 is on the table. The measure allows Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City residents to vote whether to increase single-bet limits from $5 to as high as $100.

George Connors lives in Denver. He visits casinos in Black Hawk at least three times a week and is delighted Amendment 50 passed.

"I think it' a win-win for everyone. Just $5 gets pretty dull after awhile and should you fall behind, it's very difficult to catch up. This way, if you fall behind you can perhaps win back what you fell behind on," said Connors.

The amendment also allows casinos to stay open 24 hours and expands games to add craps and roulette.

John East works at The Lodge in Black Hawk. He says more than three-quarters of the added tax revenue would go to the community colleges. The rest of the money would flow to the towns and counties to cover other costs such as police and roads.

"Certainly gaming is a beneficiary of this, but beyond that, the community colleges are the beneficiary and the primary funding recipient for the industry," said East.

Amy Mann is a student at Front Range Community College. She thinks the idea hits the jackpot.

"People that come up here to gamble are going to gamble no matter what. It's their past-time, so I think if there's extra money that can go to the state and help the students then it's a good idea," said Mann.

Opponents of this measure say it could seriously expand gambling in Colorado and in tough economic times like these, people could spend money they don't have.

East says it doesn't mean people are going to spend anymore than they would normally spend at casinos.

"I think what we were thinking to accomplish with this is that we would have guests currently going to places like Las Vegas come to our jurisdiction instead, keeping money here in the state," he said.

Whichever way you roll the dice, the decision is now up to the residents.

Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City are expected to hold their local elections in the next three to six months.