Ameristar Black Hawk
A casino resort and hotel in Black Hawk, Colorado.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Ameristar Black Hawk, formally known as Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, is a casino resort and hotel in the historic gambling town of Black Hawk, Colorado. The property combines casino gaming, hotel accommodation, dining, and resort-style amenities in a large destination complex serving visitors from Colorado and the surrounding region. It is a property-level brand associated with the Ameristar casino portfolio rather than an independently listed company. The project originated in the late 1990s when Windsor Woodmont, a group formed by Dallas-based real-estate developers, announced plans for a major casino resort in Black Hawk. Hyatt Hotels was selected to manage the proposed facility. Excavation began in August 1998, but construction was delayed later that year amid financing difficulties and heightened competition from other large casinos entering the local market. Work resumed in 2000, and the casino opened on December 20, 2001, as Black Hawk Casino by Hyatt. At opening, the property was reported to be Colorado's largest casino, with approximately 57,000 square feet of gaming space. Its initial casino floor contained 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables, and six poker tables. The original development concept was broader than the initial casino: planned future phases included a large hotel tower, convention facilities, nightclubs, a spa, and a mountaintop recreation area connected by gondola. Weak first-year revenue, however, left the developer unable to meet payments on roughly $100 million in construction bonds. Windsor Woodmont entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2002, and bondholders pursued foreclosure proceedings. In 2003, Hyatt's management agreement ended and the property was renamed Mountain High Casino, with Windsor Woodmont assuming operations. Ameristar Casinos acquired the casino out of bankruptcy in 2004 for a reported combination of cash and stock. Following an approximately $80 million renovation, the property adopted the Ameristar name in 2006. A 536-room hotel tower was completed in 2009 in a project reported to cost $235 million, materially expanding the site from a casino-led facility into a full casino resort. Ownership and operating responsibilities later became separated. Pinnacle Entertainment acquired Ameristar Casinos in 2013. In 2016, Gaming and Leisure Properties purchased most of Pinnacle's real-estate assets, including Ameristar Black Hawk, through a sale-and-leaseback transaction. Penn National Gaming, now Penn Entertainment, acquired the operating business connected with the property in 2018 as part of its purchase of Pinnacle. This structure left Gaming and Leisure Properties as the real-estate owner and Penn Entertainment as the operator. In November 2020, the resort introduced a Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk. The installation followed Penn National Gaming's investment in Barstool Sports and was described as the first retail sportsbook branded under the Barstool Sports name. Ameristar Black Hawk's current proposition therefore centers on casino gaming, hotel stays, food and beverage, and sports-wagering-related services within Colorado's regulated gaming market.
History
Ameristar Black Hawk developed from a late-1990s proposal by Windsor Woodmont, a company created by several Dallas-based real-estate developers. Hyatt Hotels was selected to manage the planned casino. Excavation began in August 1998, but the project encountered a construction pause later that year. Financing problems were reportedly linked in part to the arrival of competing large casinos in Black Hawk, including the Lodge and the Isle of Capri. Construction restarted in 2000. The property opened on December 20, 2001, as Black Hawk Casino by Hyatt. At launch, it was described as Colorado's largest casino, offering about 57,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables, and six poker tables. It was intended to become the first phase of a broader destination resort whose proposed additions included a 350-suite hotel tower, a convention center, nightclubs, a spa, and a mountaintop recreation park linked by gondola. The casino's first year produced less revenue than anticipated. Windsor Woodmont subsequently defaulted on payments for approximately $100 million in bonds issued to finance the development. Bondholders pursued foreclosure, and Windsor Woodmont filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2002. Hyatt's management agreement ended the following year. The casino was renamed Mountain High Casino, and Windsor Woodmont assumed operational control. Ameristar Casinos bought the property out of bankruptcy in 2004 for $117 million in cash plus $2.5 million in stock. An approximately $80 million renovation preceded the 2006 adoption of the Ameristar name. The resort expanded substantially in 2009 when a 536-room hotel tower was added in a project reported to cost $235 million. Corporate ownership changed again in 2013 when Pinnacle Entertainment acquired Ameristar Casinos. In 2016, Gaming and Leisure Properties bought most of Pinnacle's real-estate assets, including Ameristar Black Hawk, through a sale-and-leaseback arrangement. Penn National Gaming acquired the operating business in 2018 as part of its acquisition of Pinnacle; Penn later became known as Penn Entertainment. The resulting arrangement separates property ownership from casino operations, with Gaming and Leisure Properties owning the real estate and Penn Entertainment operating the resort. In November 2020, the property opened a Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk after Penn National acquired a stake in Barstool Sports. The kiosk was identified as the first sportsbook branded under the Barstool Sports name. Ameristar Black Hawk remains a casino resort and hotel serving Colorado's regulated gaming and tourism market.
- 2020
Barstool Sportsbook kiosk launches
[1]A retail sportsbook kiosk carrying the Barstool Sports brand opened at the property in November.
- 2018
Penn National Gaming becomes operator
[1]Penn National Gaming acquired Pinnacle's operating business, including the operation associated with Ameristar Black Hawk.
- 2016
Real-estate ownership transfers to Gaming and Leisure Properties
[1]Gaming and Leisure Properties acquired the property's real-estate assets in a sale-and-leaseback transaction.
- 2013
Pinnacle Entertainment acquires Ameristar Casinos
[1]The acquisition transferred Ameristar Black Hawk into Pinnacle Entertainment's portfolio.
- 2009
536-room hotel tower opens
[1]The resort expanded its lodging capacity with a new 536-room hotel tower.
- 2006
Ameristar branding introduced
[1]The property adopted the Ameristar name after a major renovation.
- 2004
Ameristar acquires the bankrupt property
[1]Ameristar Casinos purchased the casino through bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2003
Property becomes Mountain High Casino
[1]Hyatt's management agreement ended and the property changed its name to Mountain High Casino.
- 2002
Developer files for Chapter 11
[1]Windsor Woodmont sought bankruptcy protection after failing to meet bond-payment obligations.
- 2001
Casino opens as Black Hawk Casino by Hyatt
[1]The property opened on December 20 with a large casino floor and extensive slot and table-game capacity.
Products and positioning
A large destination casino resort positioned around casino entertainment, overnight stays, dining, and ancillary leisure services in Colorado's Black Hawk gaming market.
Casino operations · 2001
Casino gaming
The casino is the property's core offering. At its 2001 opening, the facility included approximately 57,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,332 slot machines, 16 blackjack tables, and six poker tables. The available games and capacity may change over time and should be confirmed through the operator's current materials.
Hospitality · 2009
Hotel accommodation
The resort's lodging business was expanded through a 536-room hotel tower completed in 2009. The hotel supports overnight casino visits and positions the property as a destination resort rather than solely a day-trip gaming venue.
Hospitality and leisure
Dining and resort amenities
Ameristar Black Hawk combines casino operations with food and beverage services and resort-oriented amenities. The original development plans also contemplated a spa, convention facilities, nightclubs, and other leisure components, although the available reference does not establish the current status of each planned feature.
Sports wagering · 2020
Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk
A Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk opened at the property in November 2020. It was associated with Penn National Gaming's investment in Barstool Sports and was described as the first retail sportsbook branded with the Barstool Sports name.
Brand decisions
2020
Launch a Barstool Sportsbook retail kioskProduct launchBackground
Penn National Gaming had acquired a stake in Barstool Sports and was developing sportsbook activity under the Barstool name.
Action taken
Ameristar Black Hawk opened a Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk in November 2020.
Aftermath
The kiosk became the first retail sportsbook location identified as carrying the Barstool Sports brand.
2009
Add a 536-room hotel towerProduct launchBackground
The original project was conceived as a destination resort with lodging and other non-gaming components.
Action taken
The property added a 536-room hotel tower in a reported $235 million expansion.
Aftermath
The addition expanded the resort's overnight accommodation and destination-resort capacity.
Reported construction cost. $235 million (2009)
2006
Rebrand the renovated property as AmeristarStrategyBackground
Ameristar Casinos acquired the property out of bankruptcy in 2004 and subsequently undertook a major renovation.
Action taken
The casino was renamed under the Ameristar brand in 2006.
Aftermath
The rebranding established the property as part of Ameristar Casinos' branded casino portfolio.
Recent events
- 2020
Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk opens[1]
Product launch
Ameristar Black Hawk opened a Barstool Sportsbook retail kiosk in November, described as the first sportsbook retail location carrying the Barstool Sports name.
- 2018
Penn National Gaming takes over operations[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Penn National Gaming acquired the operating business associated with the property through its acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment.
- 2016
Gaming and Leisure Properties acquires the property's real estate[1]
M&A
Gaming and Leisure Properties purchased most of Pinnacle Entertainment's real-estate assets, including Ameristar Black Hawk, in a sale-and-leaseback transaction.
- 2013
Pinnacle Entertainment acquires Ameristar Casinos[1]
M&A
Pinnacle Entertainment acquired Ameristar Casinos, bringing the Black Hawk property into Pinnacle's portfolio.
- 2009
Hotel tower expands the casino resort[1]
Product launch
A 536-room hotel tower opened as a major expansion of the property, with the project reported to have cost $235 million.
- 2006
Ameristar rebranding follows major renovation[1]
Product generation
After an approximately $80 million renovation, the property was renamed under the Ameristar brand.
- 2004
Ameristar Casinos acquires the property from bankruptcy[1]
M&A
Ameristar Casinos purchased the casino out of bankruptcy for reported cash and stock consideration.
- 2002
Windsor Woodmont enters Chapter 11 after casino financing problems[1]
Bankruptcy
Lower-than-expected first-year revenue contributed to a default on construction bonds and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the property's developer.
- 2001
Black Hawk Casino by Hyatt opens[1]
Product launch
The casino opened on December 20, 2001, with a large gaming floor and a position as Colorado's largest casino at the time.
Sources2 sources
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