Prior to the current three-month period, casino monthly revenues had declined over the same month the previous year only four other times in the nearly 11-year history of Colorado gaming.

Gaming experts tell GlobeSt.com that the casinos were hit hard by the huge snowstorm in March. And while casinos tend to be somewhat immune from a downturn in the economy, casino managers and others say that the soft economy is even taking a toll on them.

Black Hawk's 21 casinos generated $42.5 million in AGP in April, up from $40.8 million in March, but down from $43.9 million in April 2002. Cripple Creek's 17 casinos recorded $10.8 million in AGP in April, down from $11.9 million in AGP in March and $11.4 million the previous year. Central City's five casinos totaled $4.1 million in AGP in April, down from $4.2 million in March and $4.4million in April 2002.

In April, Black Hawk casinos accounted for 73.7% of the statewide market; Cripple Creek gaming establishments, 19%; and Central City casinos, 7.3%. Casinos paid $9.7 million in gaming tax proceeds in April, up from nearly $9.5 million in March.