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Colorado colleges hope for jackpot after gambling measure passes

DENVER, Colorado -- As reported by the Rocky Mountain News: "Colorado voters approved a measure aimed at expanding gambling in three former mining towns, deciding that the funding needs of community colleges outweigh concerns over higher stakes.

"The initiative now gives the residents of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek the opportunity to raise betting limits to $100 from $5, add craps and roulette, and expand casino hours.

"Proponents spent more than $7 million, mostly from Las Vegas-based casino companies, to tout its benefits. 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 'impact' costs such as police and roads.

"...Opponents knew the odds favored the house, but they fought to highlight the negatives. Some worried that the move would give casino companies an incentive to try to expand gambling further and would lead to a rise in bankruptcies, crime and other problems..."

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