The Ameristar Casino Resort & Spa in Black Hawk, operated by Penn National Gaming Inc., is one of the most well-renowned of Colorado’s casinos, and for good reason. The casino is not only the largest in the state, but it is also home to 1,240 slot machines, 40 table games, and a 22-table poker room. They are also complete with a line-up of indulgent restaurants, a 500 room hotel, a nightclub, a rooftop pool, and a spa. To top it off, Ameristar Casino also runs an immense loyalty program with constant promotions and offers for all its members.
- Address: 111 Richman Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422
- Opening Times: Open 24 hours, 7 days per week
- Hotel: Yes
- Loyalty Program: mychoice loyalty rewards program
- Gaming: 1,240 slots, 40 table games, and 22 poker tables
- Restaurants and Bars: Centennial Buffet, Timberline Grill, Fireside Kitchen, Waypost Deli, Bar 8042, and Club 38
Casino Games
Slots
With a staggering 1,240 slot and video poker machines, you will not be short of choice! The casino offers a huge variety of slots from a classic slot design up to the most modern games with bonus features and interactive videos. They also have several progressive jackpot slots to give you the opportunity to take home the big bucks! The slot machines range in price with the maximum bet at $100.
Some of the most popular slot games on offer are:
- Buffalo Gold
- Buffalo Grand
- Dancing Foo
- Dragon Link
- Jinse Dao Dragon
- Jinse Dao Phoenix
- Lightning Link
- Lunar Festival
- Wonder 44
Table Games
In Colorado, casinos are legally able to offer the table games of Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette. Ameristar casino does not disappoint and hosts all three games over 40 tables. The games have a variety of table limits which run from $5 up to $100, so there is something for everyone’s budget.
Poker Room
Welcome to the biggest poker room in Colorado! Black Hawk is the well-know poker hotspot of the Centennial State, and the Ameristar Casino hosts the largest poker room with 22 tables. They cover a wide range of poker stakes, seven days per week around the clock.
The casino primarily hosts the most popular form of poker, Texas Hold’Em, and runs both spread-limit and limit games. Due to Limited Gaming in Colorado, no casino can offer no-limit games as there is always a maximum bet of $100. Colorado’s equivalent is, therefore, spread-limit games that allow bets of any amount up to $100. Game limits range from $3/6 up to $50/100, so there is an option for every gambling budget. They also offer Big O Omaha poker.
The most popular live cash poker games on offer are:
- 1-3-100 Spread Hold
- 2-5-100 Spread Hold
- 30-60 Limit Hold’Em
- 50-100 Limit Hold’Em
- 2-5-100 Spread Big O
Several poker tournaments are also available at the casino, though fewer than other casinos in Black Hawk. They run a no-limit tournament at 2pm from Monday through to Thursday. At 7pm on Thursday, there is also a ladies-only tournament. Although the Ameristar is great for cash poker, if you want to partake in a tournament then the Golden Gates Casino is a better bet.
The poker room does get busy, especially at weekends. There are usually one or two lower limit tables on a Saturday night, but often with the large demand and Ameristar’s great reputation, there can be long waits to get a place on a table.
Casino Loyalty Program
The Ameristar Casino runs a premiere loyalty program through a partnership with mychoice. mychoice is an award-winning program linked with 35 Penn National Gaming locations nationwide. They are currently offering new sign-ups up to $500 free play and once a member you are given special benefits, discounts, and invitations for exclusive events.
The new member free play bonus is given to players in installments and the value of the bonus is based on how much you play at the casino. Every dollar you spend earns you membership tier points which can be gained from spending money on slots, on casino purchases, or food and beverage.
- Slot Machines: 1 point for every $5
- Video Poker: 1 point for every $10
- Table Games: Depends on game odds, length of play, and wagers placed
- Restaurants and Bars: 1 point for every $5
- Retail: 1 point for every $5
Every new member receives a complimentary $30 free play over their first three visits to the casino, and subsequent free play bonus funds are based on the tier points you earn during these visits.
Once a member, you continue to earn tier points every time you play, dine, shop, or stay in the casino. The program works using a five-tiered system that you progress up through as you earn more membership points. The higher the tier that you sit in, the more exclusive offers, bonuses, and benefits become available to you. These are the annual points required to qualify for each tier:
To sign up to be a mychoice member, or for more information on the benefits of each tier level, visit their website.
Sportsbook Services
Sports betting was made legal in Colorado following changes in state laws and legally went live as of 1st May 2020. These services can be offered in casinos, assuming the properties receive correct licensing. The Ameristar Casino Resort has successfully secured its master license allowing it to offer sportsbook services to all casino guests. Currently, the casino is yet to launch their sportsbook, but will likely do so once the casino has reopened to its usual capacity following temporary closures surrounding COVID-19.
Penn National Gaming has also recently formed a partnership with Barstool Sports. It is likely that the online sportsbook for the Ameristar Casino will launch under the Barstool Sports name, and is due to launch in the third quarter of 2020.
Hotel
The Ameristar Hotel has 536 hotel rooms and 64 luxury suites. The decor of the hotel is timeless and elegant, with some high-range spa suites having panoramic views out to the Rocky Mountains. All rooms sleep up to four people and are all equipped with a 50 inch TV, complimentary wifi, and spacious and luxurious rooms.
Many amenities are available throughout your stay including a 24-hour fitness center and a spa offering various treatments inclusive of massages, scrubs, facials, nail treatments, hair styling, and more! For a full list of treatments take a look here. There is also a rooftop pool, the only hotel swimming pool in Black Hawk, with panoramic mountain views. The pool is open seven days per week from 7am – 9pm for all guests, inclusive of children with adult supervision. They then run a nightly adult-only swim from 9pm – 11pm for guests age 18+.
Hotel Promotions
Ameristar often has promotions on their hotel stays. Currently, the following packages and promotions are available:
- Bed and Breakfast Package: Advance bookings in a Deluxe room are given $25 credit to spend on breakfast for two in the Fireside Kitchen or as room service for a breakfast in bed experience.
- Spa Suite Packages: Inclusive of a two-night stay in a Spa Suite, $75 credit for dining experiences, and $200 credit for spa treatments.
- Couples Getaway Package: An intimate weekend for two! Ameristar offers a two-night Deluxe Room stay and $75 credit to spend in their restaurants, plus champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries for that romantic touch.
- Couples Massage Package: Not a fan of champagne and chocolate strawberries? Trade this in for a 50-minute couples massage treatment for the both of you instead.
- Mid-Week Spa Getaway Package: Visit midweek on a spa package and get a two-night stay, $100 spa credit, and $50 to spend on food and drink.
On top of this, AAA members and AARP members are eligible to receive 10% off their stay.
Dining and Bars
The Ameristar Casino is home to multiple bars and restaurants, meaning you will be spoilt for choice!
- Centennial Buffet: A buffet-style restaurant feature cuisines from across the globe and conveniently located close to the casino.
- Timberline Grill: A rustic themed steakhouse completed with wooden furnishings, an open fire, and more steaks than you could shake a stick at.
- Fireside Kitchen: The place to head to for comfort food and a casual dress code, Fireside Kitchen serves breakfast right through to your evening meal.
- Waypost Deli: In the mood for just grabbing a quick bite? Waypost Deli serves burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and more.
- Bar 8042: This is Ameristar’s main bar located in the casino center. They have DJs playing every Friday and Saturday night, and six live black-jack tables for non-stop casino action.
- Club 38: An exclusive VIP bar only available to mychoice members in the Elite Tier or higher.
Online Gambling
Unfortunately, online casino gambling is illegal in Colorado, and so the Ameristar website does not offer any real money online gambling options. They do offer a play for fun section of their site where you can try out online slots, but no actual money can we won from playing these games. For all the top casino action, you will have to take a trip to Black Hawk.
On the other hand, online sports gambling is now legal in the state of Colorado. The Ameristar Casino has received its sports betting license and will be rolling out its land-based sportsbook once they re-open after the temporary closure due to COVID-19. They have partnered with Barstool Sports to offer an online sportsbook, but this too is yet to be released. The target launch date is in the third quarter of 2020. For now, make the most of Colorado’s live sportsbook mobile apps.