Despite financial challenges due to the economy and the weather, and a budget similar to 2001 spending levels, business owners, including casino operators, and the Cripple Creek, Colorado city council recently agreed to partner in a 0,000 advertising campaign in 2015 that says the city is a great place to play and win. The campaign will include television commercials aired throughout Southern Colorado and the Front Range.
Larry Hill, chief executive officer of Triple Crown Casinos, said, “It is very important. We want to see the town succeed. This has been a very challenging summer for the operators. We have got to continue this.”
Marc Murphy, general manger at Bronco Billy’s, said, “It would be a mistake to not market the city and the casinos. You have to be consistent. You have to look at the long-term.” Murphy noted the local casino industry has struggled in recent years due to the fires, floods and the downtown construction. However, since the downtown revitalization project is nearly completed, the timing is right for an aggressive joint marketing effort.
Kevin Werner of Wildwood Casino said without this year’s joint advertising campaign, the local gaming market would be in even worse condition. “We would be further down,” he said. He noted many people in the Pikes Peak region are not aware of Cripple Creek.
Several casino operators and city officials said it’s important to emphasize that Cripple Creek offers much better gambling odds than other gaming towns. Councilman Chris Hazlett said billboards and TV ads are missing the message, “You can win more money here.”
