Golden Gulch Casino Review
Black Hawk, Colorado is home to the state’s historic casino district. Offering 18 of Colorado’s most charming casinos, Black Hawk is a mecca of entertainment and wagering for the state’s most enthusiastic gamblers. Among these casinos is a small establishment that allows gamblers to play some of Black Hawk’s loosest slot games, in what was once the city’s local jailhouse — the Golden Gulch Casino.
Golden Gulch Casino is owned and operated by Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. Based out of Lincoln, Rhode Island, Twin River owns and operates a total of seven casinos and one racetrack in Colorado, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Delaware.
Golden Gulch is one of three Black Hawk Casinos owned by the company, along with the Golden Gates and Mardi Gras casinos. The three sister casino operations are located along Black Hawk’s half-mile casino strip and are within close proximity to one another.
Casino enthusiasts can enjoy a cozy and charming atmosphere at the Golden Gulch’s historic establishment while placing bets on the casino’s 140 video poker and slot machines. Gamblers can also enjoy a more immersive experience while playing the real coin-in slots on the Golden Gulch’s lower level, which is believed to be Black Hawk’s former jailhouse.
Although Golden Gulch does not feature any table games, this is no real inconvenience to gamblers as the two sister casinos feature a grand total of 33 table games and a poker lounge.
Golden Gulch does not offer lodging, but the half-mile casino district offers gamblers a slew of hotel and luxury suite options.
As legal sports wagering becomes a reality for Colorado gamblers and casino owners, Twin River has partnered with two notable sportsbooks and developers to usher Colorado gamblers into a new era.
Golden Gulch Casino
• Address: 321 Main St., Black Hawk, CO, 80422
• Owner/Operator: Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc.
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Casino games: Approx. 140 slot machines and video poker machines
• Sportsbook: DraftKings Colorado launched the mobile sports betting app on May 1.
• Poker: Poker room and tables available at sister casinos (Golden Gates and Mardi Gras)
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Golden Gulch Sportsbooks
Twin River Worldwide Holding Inc. purchased Golden Gulch and its sister casinos in January 2020 from then-owner Affinity Gaming. The price for the three casinos was a reported $51 million and included the rights to three sports betting licenses for the state of Colorado. In the $51 million deal, Twin River gained a combined 36,000 square feet of gaming space, three restaurants and four bars along with the three casinos and their respective sports betting licenses.
Before purchasing the casinos, Twin River lobbied hard to put a sportsbook in its horse racetrack located in the Denver suburbs. Lawmakers feared that allowing a sportsbook at the racetrack would upset local communities surrounding the racetrack and endanger the entire legislation. Twin River was able to forego this issue by breaking into Colorado’s gambling market through Golden Gulch and its sister casinos.
Twin River purchased the three Black Hawk Casinos just months after the passage of Proposition DD, which served to legalized sports betting throughout the state.
Twin River Worldwide Holdings has moved quickly to make use of its three sports gambling licenses. Earlier this year, Twin River secured its early partnership with two competing sportsbook giants: DraftKings and FanDuel Colorado.
Golden Gulch will offer DraftKings as their online and mobile sportsbook. However, it is unclear whether the casino will host FanDuel’s retail location.
Golden Gulch Casino gaming floor
The Golden Gulch is a small, yet active casino that is steeped in Colorado mountain charm, offering around 140 slots and video poker machines. The Golden Gulch offers the only 100% all-coin-in casino in Black Hawk. Offering casino goers the chance to participate in a truly classic gambling experience in Black Hawk’s famous historic gambling district.
Bets at the Golden Gulch start from penny slots to $5 slot machines. Higher stakes betting can be found at the casino’s sister properties.
Golden Gulch Casino loyalty program
As the Golden Gulch Casino has recently changed ownership, the casino’s loyalty program has also changed quite a bit. Under its previous owner, members could enroll in the A-Play Club to earn gameplay points and rakeback perks.
As Twin River has recently taken over casino operations, Golden Gulch Casino will likely take on Twin River’s Play Club. The Play Club is a three-tiered program, where gamblers can earn and redeem points at any of Twin River’s seven casinos. The Play Club’s three tiers start with the Premier, followed by Elite and then Club 100.
Signing up is free, and Play Club members begin earning rewards the same day they register. Play Club rewards are based on hours of gameplay and the member’s Play Club tier.
Each tier begins with the basic Premier tier’s offers and rewards:
- Free gameplay
- Email offers
- Mail offers
- Free valet
- VIP parking
- Exclusive invites to parties and events
Rewards become more exciting as members move up from the Premier tier into the Elite Club where members are offered the opportunity to vacation like a celebrity, with perks like VIP lounge access, priority valet, VIP entrance to events and VIP entertainment seating.
Other Elite Club perks include:
- Exclusive trip to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Cruise giveaways
- Discounted rooms and retail shopping
- Same-day compensations
- Priority ticket pick-up
- Priority restaurant reservations
- Expedited gift pick-up
- Eligibility for trips to casino destinations
The Elite Club offers a wide range of great perks to Play Club members, but Club 100 is the Play Club’s more exclusive tier. Offering perks such as gated parking and free ground transportation, in addition to luxury rewards, such as access to a butler suite with food and bottle service included.
Club 100 also includes other highly sought after rewards such as:
- Cash advance reimbursement
- Check cashing reimbursement
- VIP priority lounge seating
Twin River offers Play Club members the opportunity to experience casino gambling at its best. Combined with an elite loyalty program, two renowned sportsbooks and three uniquely individual Colorado casinos, Twin River has set itself up for success in Colorado’s competitive gambling market.
Golden Gulch Casino amenities
The property does not offer a hotel, nor does it offer any sit-down dining options. What it can offer is the Golden Gulch Bar,located right off the casino floor.
Casino goers can stop by for a quick drink and refreshments to fuel-up for another round of gaming. The bar features a robust selection of craft beers, fine wines and mixed drinks. There is also a snack bar and grab-and-go dining options for patrons who want to waste no time getting back to the games.
For casino-goers who are looking for more robust dining options, the Golden Gulch’s sister casinos offer options for full-service restaurants.
History of Golden Gulch Casino
Formerly known as Jazz Alley Casino, the Golden Gulch was purchased by Concorde Gaming Corporation in December 2002. After over two months of extensive renovations, the company rebranded to the Golden Gulch Casino and had its grand reopening on Jan. 29, 2003.
Since its reopening, Golden Gulch Casino has passed hands several times. Concorde Gaming operated the casino until 2005 when Golden Gaming purchased Golden Gulch and its sister casinos. Golden Gaming held onto the trio of casinos until Affinity Gaming purchased the three properties in 2011. A little less than a decade later, Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. acquired the properties along with their respective sports gambling licenses.