Wyoming does not have Las Vegas-style casinos.

Well, if there aren't any, you just live without them, but sometimes I find myself wanting to spin the slots with friends. Every time, the conclusion is the same: grab the car keys and head to Colorado.

The closest casino area to Cheyenne is Black Hawk, Colorado. According to Google Maps, it's 128 miles away and takes about 2 hours by car. Black Hawk is just a mile away from the neighboring town of Central City, so a visit to one essentially covers both places.

This area has rapidly grown since the legalization of casinos in the early 1990s and is now established as Colorado's largest casino region.

To summarize the major casinos in Black Hawk, Ameristar Black Hawk is undoubtedly the largest in terms of size. It features a hotel, spa, and several restaurants, along with hundreds of slot machines and table games. Isle of Capri is also a long-standing casino that is familiar to locals, while Lodge Casino at Black Hawk is popular among poker enthusiasts for its relatively cozy atmosphere.

Lady Luck Casino and Monarch Casino Resort Spa also have their own fan bases. The variety of slot machines and the minimum bets for table games vary widely, accommodating everyone from casual players to serious gamers.

In particular, Ameristar has accommodations within the casino, so many people enjoy staying overnight rather than just a day trip.

From the perspective of the Korean community, Black Hawk is a more familiar place for Koreans living in Denver.

The distance from Denver to Black Hawk is much shorter than from Cheyenne. The 128 miles from Cheyenne can feel a bit far, so it's usually a special occasion when we go.

Casino gambling is not legalized in Wyoming. Some establishments have horse racing simulation machines, but it's not at the full casino level that we know. Therefore, for Cheyenne residents who want a proper casino experience, Colorado is the only option.

The route to Black Hawk is to take I-25 South towards Denver and then switch to US-6 West. This section passes through the Colorado mountains, which is beautiful, but caution is needed for snowy roads between November and March. It's a good habit to check the CDOT road conditions website before you leave. Having an accident on snowy roads is much more frustrating than losing at a casino. It's also good to know that going on weekdays is less crowded than weekends. On weekends, competition for parking and getting a gaming spot can be quite fierce.

If you ask whether it's inconvenient that there are no casinos in Wyoming, honestly, I don't think so. In fact, not having casinos means I won't impulsively empty my wallet. When I want to go, I have to plan for it, which makes it feel more special. The drive to Black Hawk in the summer is lovely, and the Colorado mountain roads are so beautiful that I feel good even before I arrive at the casino. I think of it as a bonus if I win and just the cost of the drive if I lose, which lightens my mood.

One practical tip for visiting Black Hawk is to get a player's card at each casino. When you play with the card, you earn points that can later be redeemed for free meals or discounts on accommodations. If it's your first visit, you can get one right at the casino's information desk. It may seem trivial, but frequent visitors say the benefits can be quite rewarding.