Colorado Gaming Association Executive Director Lois Rice made the following comments in response to "Colorado State Gaming Statistics, July 2009," released Tuesday by the Division of Gaming:
"We're not surprised that July saw an increase of more than $18 million in Adjusted Gross Proceeds (AGP). Our members have reported that the advent of new games, higher bet limits and longer operating hours brought in new customers and elevated the level of excitement in the casinos. We're cautiously optimistic that this economic activity will be sustainable. Our members have hired more than 750 new employees and made sizable capital investments, believing that Colorado's economy will recover and the gaming industry will recover along with it."
'Adjusted Gross Proceeds' represents gaming revenue less winnings paid to gaming patrons. According to the Division's data, July 2009 AGP was approximately $76.2 million, compared to June 2009 AGP of approximately $57.5 million and July 2008 AGP of $65.7 million. Colorado's mountain casinos paid just over $2 million in gaming taxes in July 2009, as compared to approximately $1.3 million in July of 2008.
Seventy-eight percent of the gaming tax revenues generated by the rule changes that took effect on July 2 will go to Colorado's community colleges.
More information on the gaming industry in Colorado is available at the Colorado Gaming Association web site, www.coloradogaming.com.
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Colorado Division of Gaming
Colorado State Gaming Statistics
July 2009
July'09 June '09 July '08
TOTAL AGP 76,161,594.96 57,551,330.13 65,650,865.69
GAMING TAXES PAID 2,071,681.50 10,116,058.29 1,278,994.13
NUMBER OF CASINOS 40 40 42
AVERAGE DAYS OPEN 31.00 30.00 31.00