There are no casino premises in Boulder itself, but that is not a problem for anyone living in or visiting the city. There are three places in Colorado where gambling is permitted: Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. They can all easily be reached from Boulder.

Black Hawk is the closest casino destination to Boulder. We will look at the casino options here and also list some of the casino options available in Central City and Cripple Creek.

Top Casinos Close to Boulder

The city of Black Hawk is less than an hour’s drive from Boulder and is home to more than a dozen casinos for players aged 21+. We will examine some of these premises in more detail and provide information about what they offer.

The Lodge Casino

This casino has a full range of slots, table games, and video poker. There are also restaurants and a hotel on site. Players can enjoy 975 slot machines and 17 tables that are available 24/7. There is also a dedicated poker room. For players wanting to stay at The Lodge, there are 50 rooms to choose from.

Monarch Casino Resort Spa

Monarch Casino has 64,000 square feet of casino floor space and a 23-story tower with 516 hotel rooms. The casino originally opened as the Riviera Black Hawk and did not have a hotel. However, the current owners, Monarch, undertook a renovation and expansion that ended in 2022 and cost $442 million to complete. This was when the casino floor space nearly doubled, and the hotel, spa, and several restaurants opened. The casino now has 1,100 slot machines and a sportsbook.

Saratoga Casino

There are more than 400 slot machines available to play at Saratoga Casino. People can also visit the pit at the casino, where the intimate gaming experience includes craps, blackjack, roulette, and poker. The casino also has a Player Extras Club rewards program that is free to join. Food and drink are available in the Main Street Café and the Main Street Bar.

Sasquatch Casino

This casino is family-owned and operated. It’s home to more than 145 slot machines. There is also an excellent selection of table games. In addition, the casino has a dedicated arcade section with games for younger visitors. This section is currently closed due to construction work, so anyone wanting to use it should check before visiting.

Wild Card Saloon

This casino is another family-owned and operated premises. It’s a classic gambling establishment with more than 250 slot machines, a sportsbook, and complimentary Players Club cards, although there is no poker room. Food is available around the clock, and there is also a bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks. The third-floor balcony at the casino provides excellent views of the city while dining.

Central City and Cripple Creek

Outside of Black Hawk, casinos in Central City and Cripple Creek are reachable from Boulder. Central City is the closest of these destinations. It’s home to various wildlife and recreation trails as well as the following casinos:

• Easy Street Casino
• Century Casino & Hotel
• Grand Z Casino & Hotel
• Dragon Tiger Casino
• The Famous Bonanza Casino

Cripple Creek is a much longer drive from Boulder, but its casinos are well worth visiting and include the following:

• Bronco Billy’s
• Chamonix Casino Hotel
• Colorado Grande Casino & Hotel
• Johnny Nolon’s Saloon & Gambling Emporium
• McGill’s Casino & Hotel
• Midnight Rose Casino & Hotel
• The Brass Ass Casino
• The Double Eagle Hotel & Casino
• Golden Nugget Casino & Hotel

Online Casinos in Boulder

Online casinos are illegal in Boulder and Colorado, so there is no opportunity to play real money games online.

However, it’s possible to play online casino games at sweepstakes casinos. These casinos do not have the facility to play games with real money, so they are fully legal for players aged 18+.

They provide access to slots and table games that can be played using sweepstakes coins, which are often provided free of charge and can also be purchased. Players cannot win real money playing the games. However, they can win gold coins that can be exchanged for items like gift cards or cash. These playing opportunities are a good option for casino fans in Boulder.

Explore the Casino Scene Around Boulder Yourself

It’s clear that although there are no casinos in Boulder, residents and visitors can travel to Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek to enjoy the real-world casino experience. The closest option is Black Hawk, home to more than a dozen casinos, including several with hotel rooms, restaurants, and bars for a complete experience.

People can travel further afield for more casino options. Residents and visitors can also use sweepstakes coins to play their favorite games at sweepstakes casinos online. These sites are legal as they do not offer real money wins directly from gaming.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com