Gilpin's Winner's Circle revs up for 2011

The Gilpin Casino in Black Hawk is heading full speed into 2011 with the “Winner’s Circle,” its new table games room designed around the world of auto racing. Themed table games rooms have taken off recently, and, after a visit to Las Vegas, The Gilpin set its sights on creating the Winner’s Circle.

“When we re-launched our table games in July of 2009, we went to Las Vegas and did some research,” said Ben White, Table Games Manager for The Gilpin and Lodge casinos. “When we felt that the time was right to put this type of a pit in our property, we went with a racing and automotive theme due to the large number of loyal racing enthusiasts in the Denver and Colorado market. We feel this new gaming pit is a match for both our current customer base as well as new players looking for a unique gaming experience.”

The re-themed “pit” now sports an abundance of race décor — 6-foot racing trophies, authentic racing and auto sports memorabilia, dealer uniforms fashioned like pit crew shirts and an overall auto sports theme. The room has been a hit with both players and companies wanting to support the brand theme.

“Now we have sponsors, companies that are saying we like what you’re doing,” said White. “We’ve got MillerCoors, Napa Auto Parts, the Race Fever store in the Colorado Mills Mall, High Plains Raceway, Colorado National Speedway, The Track at Centennial and Waterworks Car Wash all interested in being connected with Winners Circle. And that will only make the room better for players.”

Providing more fuel for table games players, the Winner’s Circle will be giving away a trip to Las Vegas to attend Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the third event of NASCAR’s season. This package includes tickets, airfare and hotel. Players can enter the giveaway through Sunday, Feb. 20, the date of the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s grand season opening event. Players gain one entry for every 250 points accumulated in the Winner’s Circle, so, 500 points awards a player a second entry, 750 a third and so on.

“And, beyond the main prize package, we’ll also be giving away a slew of side prizes,” added Table Games Marketing Assistant John Walker, “such as an authentic Jeff Gordon NASCAR crew shirt.” Other events include:

• Jan. 15, 2011: Chris Eggleston, a Colorado National Speedway driver (http://www.denverpost.com/motorsports/ci_15527632), will bring his car to The Gilpin and sign autographs.

• Jan. 22, 2011: Drivers from High Plains Raceway will make a stop at The Gilpin and display their cars.

- By Sam DeLeo