Scarlet’s is not your typical Central City casino. That can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking for. Scarlet’s is shiny and new – and big. Clearly the most square footage currently open on Main Street. It’s packed with a wide variety of machines on three gaming floors. It’s a little over-packed in some areas for my taste and the main floor can get pretty congested. The upper and lower floors are generally less crowded. Black Jack tables are available on the main floor. There’s three very nice video poker bars, one on each floor. Gamblers must pay for any “premium” drinks – an unfortunate trend these days – but basic adult beverages are free. I don’t normally comment on “seating” – as in the chairs we all sit in while playing – but this deserves a special mention this time. Great chairs!

The restaurant on the fourth floor has closed, but Scarlet’s offers a nice food menu and a “Muchie” menu of tasty items available for free after earning 50 points on your card.

This is a 100% ticket-in/ticket-out establishment. No buckets of coins can be found. I personally welcome this technology, and expect it to appear in more and more casinos in Colorado. I saw two cashier cages, one large and one small and without a lot of coin counting and handling going on the short lines moved very fast.

I found the service to be excellent, in all areas. Fast and friendly, the staff did not make me wait for anything. That’s a critical element in making a casino a regular stop instead of an occasional one.

A regular “menu” of promotions can always be found at Scarlet’s. Be sure to check at the player’s club when you arrive to make sure you are in the loop.

Scarlet’s is as close to a “Black Hawk style” casino as Central City needs to get. They have found a place in between the large, impersonal mega-casinos down the hill and the “good old boy” historical establishments that managed to survive the lean days.

I strongly recommend folks visit there soon.

Steve Hall - WCD