On a night in which most statewide issues appeared to be headed for failure, Coloradans was willing to take a gamble on expanding gaming in the state's three gambling towns, including Cripple Creek, in the name of supporting community colleges.

Amendment 50, which would allow the gambling towns to vote to raise betting limits from $5 to $100, expand gambling to 24 hours a day and add roulette and craps to the mix, cruised to an easy victory Tuesday night. Most of the additional taxes from the changes will go toward the state's community colleges.

The state estimates the revisions would bring in an additional $300 million over the next five years.

"I think it's a win-win situation for the state," said Katy Atkinson, spokeswoman for the group Coloradans for Community Colleges, which backed the amendment. "Clearly it will be a boost for the gaming industry, which is an important industry, and it is an important boost for community colleges."

Although each city still has to vote to approve the changes, the Cripple Creek City Council already voted to support the amendment and Cripple Creek Mayor Dan Baader said that the city planned to hold the vote as soon as possible.

Atkinson said if all three cities vote in favor of expanded gaming, bettors can expect to see the higher limits and new games in place by summer, 2009.

Casinos in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City are suffering through their worst year since Colorado voters approved limited gaming in 1990. Casino revenues are down 11.4 percent so far this year compared with 2007. Casino operators blame the statewide smoking ban, which was extended to the casinos at the beginning of the year, the struggling economy and high gas prices for the decline.

Last week, the hard times forced the Wild Horse Casino in Cripple Creek to close its doors, putting 62 employees out of work. Wild Horse general manager Todd Fred said that, even if Amendment 50 passed, it would be too little, too late for his casino.

David Minter, general manager of Johnny Nolon's Casino in Cripple Creek, said the changes will be a shot in the arm, but won't be a panacea for the industry's troubles.

"I would certainly like to think that it would bring back some of the revenues that we brought through the smoking ban," Minter said. "I think it's still going to be a tough winter - we had the best example in Cripple Creek, with one of our casinos shutting down six days before the vote."

The gaming industry has pushed hard for expanded gaming, pumping more than $7 million into the campaign backing Amendment 50.

Denver lawyer Jon Anderson, who led the opposition to the amendment, didn't raise any money, and said he's not surprised by the results.

"I think we're taking one more very significant step toward Las Vegas-style gambling in Colorado," Anderson said.

Anderson said the amendment will be an incentive for further proposals for still more gaming.

"I think Colorado citizens and the Colorado legislature have to be very vigilant to guard against further expansions of gaming," he said.

El Paso County results, with 99.5% of precincts reporting,

YES 99,140 (58.41%)
NO 70,594 (41.59%)

Colorado results, with 74% reporting,

YES 1,040,572 (59%)
NO 732,430 (41%)