Sasquatch Casino Manager Dave Shuey stands beside Harry – the stuffed Sasquatch who greets visitors at the door. Photo by Sharon Sweeney
By Jeffrey V. Smith
Sasquatch, the elusive ape-like subject of legends and folklore, has been found; and he’s in Black Hawk’s newest casino helping bring good luck to slot players.
The Sasquatch Casino, the latest casino project from long-time Black Hawk locals Ed and Shirley Smith, has a big name for its intimate, friendly casino. It also has Harry, a 7-foot, 4-inch stuffed Bigfoot that greets visitors at the door.
“I think it’s a very appropriate animal for this section of the country, “ Ed Smith said. “This way people can see what one looks like.”
Slot players can “Rub the Sasquatch butt for good luck.”
The new casino is the third project from the Smiths who also own the Wild Card Casino, Black Hawk’s first, and Black Hawk Station Casino, which they purchased in 2004.
The couple opened the Sasquatch Casino in early July in the same two-story building they ran a laundromat and grocery before gaming came to town. The historic building is also the former home of Bronco Billy’s Casino and, more recently, an expansion of Bullwhackers which opted not to renew its lease.
“There have been a lot of changes since we were last in here,” Smith said.
The new casino offers something the other two don’t, Smith explained, “location, location, location.”
The Smiths, Colorado natives from Silt and New Castle, met at Colorado State University and later married. They have made a name for themselves in Black Hawk for running small casinos that really care for its customers, offer popular promotions and home cooking.
The Wild Card Casino is also the only casino property in the region that meets the criteria for being a cigar bar and, therefore, allows indoor smoking.
In keeping with its hometown, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the Sasquatch Casino features an arcade in the basement for non-gamers and children, breakfast all day and an
8 a.m – 2 a.m. operating schedule.
Gaming, however, is the property’s main focus and 74 slots machines fill the space that features Harry – which reportedly cost the Smith’s $8,700 – as the centerpiece. No table games are planned although an expansion is planned following a computer system upgrade.
The property is located at 125 Gregory St. at Main Street in Black Hawk in between Bullwhackers and Black Hawk Station
The Sasquatch Casino is located in the historic Jenkins McKay Hardware building in Black Hawk on Gregory Street. It is the former home of Bronco Billy’s and a Bullwhackers expansion. Photos by Jeffrey V. Smith
