- The only non-Main Street area casino is The Reserve, but it too is just a short stroll from Main Street. There are six casinos in Central City, Colorado The Reserve (a sort of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino wannabe) and the Century Casino are the two “fancy,” more Las Vegas style casinos.
- Ameristar Black Hawk Casino, Black Hawk Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk. Opened in 2001, the Ameristar Black Hawk was at one point the largest casino in Colorado, with 5,300 square metres of gaming space, 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables and six poker tables.
- Casinos in Central City on YP.com. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Casinos in Central City, CO.
We went into this casino while walking around the main street in Central City, and we were impressed! It's a cute little casino and the building is really cool. There's a decent choice of casino games as well as a kid-friendly arcade, too.
Feel like a gambling getaway, but want to stay away from busy Black Hawk? Just up the road in Central City is the perfect place to kick back and stay relaxed, but still, scratch that gaming itch. Sharing the same rich history from the gold-rush days as its neighbor, Central City has plenty of history to see along with a handful of friendly and captivating casinos.
Central City Sportsbooks & Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is open for business in Colorado, with sportsbooks on casino premises, as well as a wide selection of online sports betting apps.
There are no retail sportsbooks in Central City just yet. However, Maverick Gaming LLC, owners of the Grand Z Casino Hotel and Johnny Z’s Casino, recently struck up a deal with IGT that would place self-service PlaySports kiosks in each location (along with Z Casino in Black Hawk). Its IGT-powered app, branded Play Maverick Sports, will also likely launch in the coming months.
As for online sports betting, several Central City casinos have announced partnerships with global sports betting brands. Circa Sports has already partnered with the owners of The Century Casino & Hotel in Central City. The Dostal Alley Casino, despite being one of the smallest casinos in the state, has partnered with Betsson for sports betting to launch in 2021.
Central City Colorado Casinos
Johnny Z’s Casino
Address: 132 Lawrence St, Central City, CO 80427
Johnny Z’s Casino is one of two casinos in Central City owned by Maverick Gaming LLC, the other being The Grand Z Casino Hotel. It was opened in 2010, now specializing in slot and video machines with a collection of over 350 games. It features two dining options, with one café and one full-service restaurant. Although it has no hotel or table games, both of these can be found at The Grand Z Casino Hotel, just a short walk away.
Grand Z Casino Hotel
Address: 321 Gregory St, Central City, CO 80427
The Grand Z Casino Hotel (formerly The Reserve Hotel & Casino) is the larger of the two Maverick Gaming properties in Central City. It features a recently-renovated 119-room hotel, providing accommodation for a large proportion of Century City’s visitors. The casino is open 24/7, with more than 700 slot machines and 14 table games to choose from. There are two restaurants and one café on the property.
Century Casino & Hotel Central City
Address: 102 Main St, Central City, CO 80427
The Century Casino & Hotel is the largest casino in Central City aside from the Grand Z Casino Hotel. It was opened on the site of the former Tollgate Casino in 2006. The casino features 500 slot and video machines, as well as 7 table games including poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. The hotel offers 26 boutique-style rooms and suites, along with a restaurant and a deli to cater to guests’ dining needs.
Dostal Alley
Address: 116 Main St, Central City, CO 80427
The family-owned Dostal Alley Casino opened back in 1991. It is both the smallest and the oldest casino in Central City, containing just 60 slot and video machines. Its most unique feature is the fact that it is also a brewery – the only one in Gilpin County! The casino features its own restaurant, serving pizza, sandwiches, and more, along with its very own beer.
Easy Street Casino
Address: 120 Main St, Central City, CO 80427
The Easy Street Casino has been owned by a local family since 2000, who also owns The Famous Bonanza Casino across the road. The property has a modest 180 slot and video machines, as well as a designated arcade-area to accommodate those under 21. The casino has a diner-style eatery, Millie’s Restaurant, which is open Thursday to Sunday.
Famous Bonanza Casino
Address: 107 Main St, Central City, CO 80427
The Famous Bonanza Casino was one of the very first casinos in Central City, opening back in 1992. Sharing the same family owners as The Easy Street Casino, it delivers a matching friendly atmosphere and customer service. It is slightly larger than its sister property, featuring 238 slot and video machines but no table games. The Famous Bonanza Casino has its own restaurant, called the Stella Café.
Central City Colorado Casino Map
A Quick History of Central City, Colorado
Central City rose to prominence around the very same time as Black Hawk, situated on the opposite side of the gold-bearing vein discovered by John H. Gregory way back in 1859.
Best Casino In Central City Colorado Atv Trail
At the peak of the gold rush, Central City actually became the more inhabited of the two towns, peaking at a population of well over 3,000 heading into the 20th century.
Around this very time, however, the gold deposits became exhausted and resulted in a subsequent drop in the popularity of the area. By 1920, Central City’s population had dropped all the way back to under 600, its lowest number since the gold vein discovery.
Fast-forwarding a few decades, a 1991 Colorado ballot referendum to amend the state constitution legalized gambling in three towns: Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. This has led to a new surge in the town’s popularity, now hosting thousands of casino visitors on a daily basis.
Despite its larger beginnings, Central City has now taken a back-seat to Black Hawk in terms of popularity and has just one-third of the number of casinos. This, however, has its own benefits, providing Central City with a more relaxed vibe and small-town environment – with numerous historical buildings and sites for visitors to explore. The casinos in Central City also tend to focus more on personal service, making any visitor feel like a high roller.
Central City Colorado Casinos FAQs
Central City is ever so slightly further away from Denver than Black Hawk, about 38 miles. It takes under an hour to drive.
As with all casinos in the State of Colorado, bets are capped at a maximum of $100 on any single wager.
Many of the casinos in Central City are slot machines only. Table games at the two largest casinos, the Grand Z and Century Casino include blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette.
Only two casinos in Central City offer hotel accommodation: The Grand Z Casino Hotel (119 rooms) and the Century Casino & Hotel (26 rooms).
Only The Grand Z Casino Hotel and the Century Casino & Hotel are open 24/7. The remaining casinos are open from morning until late, in most cases shutting their doors at 2-3 a.m.
[Woohoo! Winning roulette at Century Casino Central City.] Colorado isn’t necessarily known for its casino culture. But with a few local American Indian reservations and a few towns that permit gambling, there are actually several terrific casinos to visit while you’re in state. These, for those interested, are a few of the biggest and best.When you think of a casino holiday, you’re probably drawn to Las Vegas, or possibly Macau, as the best destinations on earth to win big. Away from these gambling Meccas, however, there are plenty of other places around the world where gamblers can try their luck.
Atlantic City, Detroit and now Baltimore have become smaller casino destinations in their own right – and you’ll find hundreds of other casinos dotted across the country. One of the most exciting destinations on the list are Colorado’s casinos.
Some of the Best, Possibly Luckiest Casinos in Colorado
This Centennial State became one of the first to legalize gambling (among other things) after Nevada and New Jersey – and now large casino resorts and native gambling spots compliment the large amounts of tourism the state receives thanks to its world class ski resorts, incredible landscape and lively cities like Denver, Boulder and Aspen.
If you’re thinking of planning a gambling trip that includes more than casinos, like some skiing, mountaineering or exploring the wilderness, then you should definitely hit up Colorado. And check out one of these ten casinos while you’re at it.
1. Ameristar Black Hawk Casino, Black Hawk
Opened in 2001, the Ameristar Black Hawk was at one point the largest casino in Colorado, with 5,300 square metres of gaming space, 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables and six poker tables. Located in the gambling town of Black Hawk, the resort acts as both a casino and conference resort, with easy access to nearby ski runs and plenty of leisure facilities including a spa, mountaintop recreation park, and even a night club.
Guests who book a night in one of the 886 luxury rooms and suites can access the casino via a ski lift, before getting stuck into some gambling, world-class cuisine, and a few drinks to warm up after a cold day on the slopes.
2. Century Casino, Central City
Central City was at one time the gold capital of the world, so it’s apt that visitors can continue to strike it rich in the great selection of casinos. The old Tollgate and Golden Rose casinos joined together to create the Century Casino back in 2006, and the 24/7 gaming spot is now one of the hottest locations in the state for some gambling action.
One of the larger casinos in Colorado, Century Casino & Hotel emulates Red Dolly in that it blends in as an ordinary part of an ordinary mountain town. However, it’s significantly bigger, and has a little more to offer inside. Slots, video poker, table games, craps, and roulette comprise the game selection, and the aesthetic is a little more like the classic image of, say, a Vegas gaming venue (once you’re inside that is). As you can tell by the name, Century Casino & Hotel also offers accommodations – specifically, 26 hotel rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant.
With over 500 slots and video poker terminals, as well as poker, blackjack, craps and roulette tables, guests have a huge choice of game types and stakes up to $100, followed by some of the famous prime rib from the Mid City Grill. Make sure you sign up for a casino club card, as you’ll get certain perks on the gaming floor, as well as a few drinks and nibbles without having to pay any extra.
3. Black Hawk Station Casino, Black Hawk
Located inside what feels like an old west saloon, this compact casino is a must stop on any gambling trip. Favoured by the locals, the Black Hawk Station Casino keeps the town of Black Hawk feeling traditional, with the owners running a bar, restaurant and casino there since 1993. The Black Hawk Station is all about the slot games and video machines, with 127 of the latest virtual games keeping the action going long into the night.
You’ll want to get some practice in on the slot machines before you visit this quaint and traditional gambling house, and the best way to make sure you’re up to the challenge is by trying out some online slots to get some practice in. To be successful at slots it helps to know how slots work and how an effective strategy can maximize your games when you’re gambling.
4. Double Eagle Hotel and Casino, Cripple Creek
If you fancy staying in a nice hotel with its own built-in casino, then the Double Eagle is a great option. Opened in 1996, the Double Eagle was at one point the largest casino in Cripple Creek. Technically, you’ll find all of the hotel’s games in the Gold Creek Casino, which is attached to the building – so you won’t need to venture out into the cold to get some gambling in.
The main floor provides four live blackjack tables, seven poker tables, and lively craps and roulette tables that get pretty busy on a weekend. There are also around 160 slot machines scattered throughout the casino, too, including the latest video poker machines. One thing you’ll notice about the Double Eagle however are the active promotions, with freebies and spot prizes given away to gamblers who take part in various contests.
Rooms cost anywhere from a reasonable $90, all the way up to $500 for a suite, so you can enjoy Vegas-style lavishness up in the mountains if you feel like it. This one is great if you like your casinos lively, and with plenty of winning options away from the tables.
5. Wildwood Casino, Cripple Creek
The biggest casino in Cripple Creek is the Wildwood, and the action doesn’t get much better than the 24/7 gaming floor. Guests can get stuck into poker, roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack and craps, and there’s plenty of discounts and promotions, including a $10,000 grand prize for club card holders (just sign up when you arrive).
There’s also the Cherry Pit, and exclusive gaming area that provides premium liquor alongside the gaming experience, perfect for gamblers who want a bit of glitz and glamour on their casino visit.
6. Red Dolly Casino, Black Hawk
Billing itself as Black Hawk’s oldest and friendliest casino, where everyone knows your name, Red Dolly is a different kind of place than most major casinos. Putting out the vibe of a simple mountain town attraction, it’s been operational since 1992, and boasts many employees who have been working there for a decade or more.
As for gaming, the focus at the Red Dolly is on slots, with over 120 of the most popular titles available for play. (Any of you accustomed to online gaming will certainly recognize some of these titles.) And, accompanying the neighborhood feel of the Red Dolly, there’s a highly rated on-site restaurant as well. There are no table games, so no black jack, craps or roulette.
7. Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio
As you may know, many American Indian tribes around the country run casinos on reservations, and in fact their role in U.S. gaming culture may be expanding. We learned recently that the National Indian Gaming Association has adopted a resolution in favor of legal sports betting, which is thought to be the next major movement toward legalized gambling across America. In the meantime however, Indian tribes already run some of the country’s most impressive casinos.
This place, run by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, is fine example. A big, beautiful casino complex, Sky Ute Casino has a huge number of slots and table games, a dedicated poker room, comfortable hotel accommodations and a spa facility. There is even additional entertainment in the form of bowling, putt-putt golf, and more.
8. Bronco Billy’s, Cripple Creek
Aside from Black Hawk and Central City (and the Indian reservations), Cripple Creek is the only place to go for casino activity. And Bronco Billy’s is one of the highlights. Another mountain town venue with the vaguely “Old West” feeling you’ll notice in Black Hawk, it’s got all the best games and is known for making a fuss over major jackpot wins.
There are also dining options already, though the whole complex is about to get a significant upgrade. Cripple Creek has approved a $70 million expansion (including a new hotel) that should turn Bronco’s Billy into quite a destination.
9. Monarch Casino, Black Hawk
Monarch Casino offers more of the same in Black Hawk, with plenty of gaming options and an appealing design that helps it blend into the surroundings somewhat. It has everything you’d expect to find, plus a focus on TV viewing and live entertainment, making it arguably the best place on this list for those who incorporate sports betting into their gamble.
A full video wall and accompanying bar make for a great spot to track your bets, perhaps in between trips to the gaming tables.
10. Saratoga Casino, Black Hawk
While Red Dolly is known as a charming, firmly established casino, Saratoga Casino is perhaps the most glamorous gaming venue in the town of Black Hawk. Table games and slots abound, and the casino also offers its own special promotions and bonus events. Saratoga has a little more to offer than some of its counterparts on this list in terms of dining and drinks.
In addition to two restaurants – Mill City Chophouse and the more casual Main Street Cafe – the casino is home to multiple bars and lounges. Mill City Patio in particular offers a great chance for you to step outside and enjoy the beautiful surroundings in between games.
Colorado is a diverse and exciting state, and visitors can do everything from living out their wild west fantasies, to pretending they’re James Bond as they ski down a mountain, before betting on lucky 17 in the casino afterwards. If you’re looking for an exceptional casino holiday with plenty of stuff to do away from the tables, then we can’t recommend this incredible state enough.