Century Casinos

Century Casinos, Inc. is a casino and entertainment operator headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Established in 1992 by former executives of Casinos Austria, the company developed a portfolio centered on regional casinos, racetracks, hotel-linked gaming facilities, and casino concessions aboard cruise ships. Its principal operating markets are the United States, Canada, and Poland, with additional historic operations and management contracts in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. The company’s early development strategy combined project development, casino management agreements, and partnerships with local investors. Several early proposals did not reach completion. Century’s planned riverboat casino in Louisiana was blocked by local officials, while proposed Indiana and Missouri projects were ultimately abandoned or sold. The company nevertheless established an operating base in Colorado through its 1994 merger with Alpine Gaming, which owned the Long Branch Saloon & Casino in Cripple Creek. The property was renamed Legends and, after further expansion, became the foundation of Century Casino Cripple Creek. Cruise-ship gaming became another early business line. In 1994, Century began operating the casino aboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud under a concession arrangement. Over time, it also entered land-based markets outside the United States. It managed and co-owned the Millennium Casino in Prague, operated the Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa in South Africa, and held an interest in Century Casino Newcastle. These international investments were later reduced or sold, allowing the company to concentrate more heavily on North American regional gaming. Century expanded its Colorado presence with Century Casino & Hotel Central City in 2006 and grew in Alberta through casino acquisitions and racetrack developments. Its Canadian portfolio included Century Casino Calgary, Century Casino St. Albert, Century Casino Edmonton, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, and Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. The company sold Century Casino Calgary in 2020, but retained a substantial Alberta operating presence. In 2007 it acquired a minority stake in Casinos Poland and increased that interest to 67 percent in 2013. Casinos Poland owns and operates several casinos in Poland, making it a significant component of Century’s international business. A major step in the company’s United States expansion came in 2019, when Century acquired the operating businesses of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville, and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort from Eldorado Resorts. Vici Properties acquired the related real estate and leased it to Century, creating an operating-company and landlord structure that has also been used in parts of Century’s Alberta portfolio. The Missouri properties were subsequently rebranded as Century Casino Cape Girardeau and Century Casino Caruthersville. The company has continued to use acquisitions, leases, and partnerships to build a geographically diversified regional-gaming portfolio. In 2021 it partnered with Bet365 to launch sports-betting operations in Colorado. In 2023 Century acquired the operating business of Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, from Marnell Gaming and purchased the operating business of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland from Golden Entertainment. It also entered a sale-leaseback transaction involving the real estate of four Alberta properties. Century’s current model combines casino gaming, pari-mutuel and racetrack operations, food and beverage, hotel accommodation, entertainment, and sports wagering, with some properties operated on leased real estate and others involving ownership interests in the underlying property.

Century Casinos was formed in 1992 by executives associated with Casinos Austria. Its first years were characterized by proposed developments and management agreements rather than a large owned-property base. In 1993 the company agreed to manage a proposed riverboat casino in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, but local opposition prevented the project from proceeding. The developer later bought out Century’s agreement for $4 million and moved the project to Lake Charles, where it ultimately opened under different ownership. Century also proposed riverboat casinos in Gary and Vevay, Indiana, after the state legalized riverboat gaming. The Gary proposal was abandoned, while the Vevay project was sold to a Boomtown and Hilton partnership before its eventual opening as Belterra Casino. In March 1994, Century merged with Alpine Gaming, the parent of the Long Branch Saloon & Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The property was renamed Legends. Century purchased the neighboring Womack’s Saloon & Gaming Parlor in 1996, creating a larger Cripple Creek operation that was eventually branded Century Casino Cripple Creek in 2010. The company moved its headquarters from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1996 to be closer to its Colorado operations. Century entered cruise-ship gaming in April 1994 by operating the casino on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud. It also pursued several other projects during the middle of the decade. A proposed Missouri casino in Portage des Sioux did not advance after a licensing moratorium, and a planned Louisiana casino near Alexandria did not receive the available license. Century briefly managed Legends Casino at the Soboba Reservation in California and later transferred its responsibilities on a planned casino in Rhodes, Greece, to Playboy Enterprises before opening. The company broadened its international exposure in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1998 it agreed to manage and co-own a casino within a Marriott hotel in Prague; the Millennium Casino opened in 1999. In 2000 Century received a license for a casino in Caledon, South Africa, where it managed and co-owned the Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa. It later participated in a proposed Gauteng casino and acquired a majority position in the Monte Vista Casino in Newcastle, South Africa, which was renamed Century Casino Newcastle. Century opened Century Casino & Hotel Central City in Colorado and a similarly named property in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2006. It subsequently reorganized its South African interests, selling the Gauteng project and later disposing of its South African casinos in 2009. A key international investment began in 2007, when Century paid $8.7 million for a 33 percent interest in Casinos Poland. The company increased its holding to 67 percent in 2013. Casinos Poland operates a network of casinos in Poland and remains an important part of Century’s business outside North America. Century also managed a casino at the Radisson, later Hilton, resort in Aruba from 2010 until the management agreement ended in 2017. Century’s Alberta expansion accelerated during the 2010s. It purchased Silver Dollar Casino in Calgary in 2010 and renamed it Century Casino Calgary. It financed and managed Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, which opened in 2015, and acquired Apex Casino in St. Albert in 2016, rebranding it Century Casino St. Albert. Century Mile Racetrack and Casino opened near Edmonton in 2019. The company briefly pursued a casino in Bath, England, which opened in 2018 but closed in 2020 following weak results and changes in British gaming regulation. In 2019 Century made one of its largest North American expansions by acquiring the operating businesses of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville, and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort from Eldorado Resorts. Vici Properties acquired the associated real estate and leased it to Century, separating property ownership from casino operations. The two Missouri casinos were subsequently renamed Century Casino Cape Girardeau and Century Casino Caruthersville. Century sold Century Casino Calgary in 2020, after which the property became ACE Casino Blackfoot. The company entered Colorado sports betting in 2021 through a partnership with Bet365. In 2023 it acquired the operating businesses of Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland. It also sold the real estate of four Alberta properties to Vici Properties in a sale-leaseback transaction while retaining operating control through leases. Century’s current strategy therefore combines regional casino operations, racetrack gaming, sports wagering, hospitality, partnerships, and selective ownership or leasing of gaming real estate.

1. 2023Nevada and Maryland expansion

   Century acquires the operating businesses of Nugget Casino Resort and Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

   Source
2. 2021Colorado sports betting partnership

   Century partners with Bet365 to launch sports betting in Colorado.

   Source
3. 2019Three-casino United States acquisition

   Century acquires the operating businesses of three casinos in Missouri and West Virginia and opens Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Alberta.

   Source
4. 2018Century Casino Bath opens

   Century’s casino in Bath, England, opens to the public.

   Source
5. 2016Apex Casino acquisition

   Century acquires Apex Casino in St. Albert and renames it Century Casino St. Albert.

   Source
6. 2015Century Downs opens

   Century Downs Racetrack and Casino opens near Calgary.

   Source
7. 2013Casinos Poland stake increases

   Century increases its ownership of Casinos Poland to 67 percent.

   Source
8. 2007Investment in Casinos Poland

   Century acquires a 33 percent interest in Casinos Poland.

   Source
9. 2006Colorado and Alberta expansion

   Century Casino & Hotel properties open in Central City, Colorado, and Edmonton, Alberta.

   Source
10. 2000South African casino opens

    Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa opens in South Africa under a Century management and ownership arrangement.

    Source
11. 1999Millennium Casino opens in Prague

    The company’s Prague casino project opens in a Marriott hotel.

    Source
12. 1996Headquarters move to Colorado Springs

    Century relocates its headquarters from Denver to Colorado Springs.

    Source
13. 1994Alpine Gaming merger and cruise-ship entry

    Century merges with Alpine Gaming, gaining the Cripple Creek casino that became central to its Colorado operations, and begins operating a casino aboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud.

    Source
14. 1992Century Casinos is formed

    The company is established by several executives associated with Casinos Austria.

    Source

A regional gaming and entertainment operator focused on casinos, racetracks, and related hospitality assets in North America, supplemented by a majority interest in Casinos Poland and selected gaming partnerships.

• Regional casino gamingCasino operations1992

  Century operates land-based casinos offering table games, electronic gaming machines, poker or card-room gaming where permitted, and related food, beverage, and entertainment services. Its portfolio is aimed primarily at regional and destination markets rather than large metropolitan resort complexes. Current and recent properties include casinos in Colorado, Missouri, Maryland, Nevada, West Virginia, Alberta, and Poland.

• Racetrack and pari-mutuel gamingRacetrack operations2015

  The company operates racetrack-linked gaming facilities in Alberta. Century Downs Racetrack and Casino and Century Mile Racetrack and Casino combine casino gaming with horse-racing facilities and related wagering. These venues broaden Century’s business beyond conventional casino floors and connect gaming operations with live racing and entertainment programming.

• Hotel and resort hospitalityHospitality2000

  Some Century properties include hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and event or entertainment facilities. Examples include Century Casino Central City, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, and Nugget Casino Resort. Hospitality amenities support overnight visitation and complement casino and racetrack revenue.

• Sports bettingBetting services2021

  Century entered Colorado sports betting through a partnership with Bet365 in 2021. The offering extends the company’s gaming activity into regulated sports wagering and relies on market-specific licensing and compliance requirements.

• Cruise-ship casino concessionsGaming concessions1994

• Casinos Poland portfolioInternational casino investment2007

  Century owns a 67 percent interest in Casinos Poland, which owns and operates a network of casinos in Poland. The investment provides Century with an international land-based gaming platform alongside its North American operations.

• 2023Acquire Nugget Casino Resort and Rocky Gap Casino Resort operationsM&A

  Century continued expanding its North American regional-gaming footprint through acquisitions of operating businesses.

  What changed. The company acquired the operating business of Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, from Marnell Gaming and the operating business of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland from Golden Entertainment.

  Aftermath. Century added Nevada and Maryland to its operating map and expanded its portfolio of casinos and resort-oriented properties.

  Rocky Gap operating-business acquisition price. $56 million (2023)

  Source
• 2023Use an Alberta sale-leaseback structureStrategy

  Century sought to monetize real estate while continuing to operate its Alberta casinos and racetracks.

  What changed. The company sold the real estate of four Alberta properties to Vici Properties and retained operating control through lease arrangements.

  Aftermath. The transaction reinforced Century’s asset-light operating model in Alberta, separating casino operations from ownership of the underlying real estate.

  Real-estate sale proceeds. US$162 million (2023)

  Source
• 2021Launch Colorado sports betting with Bet365Product launch

  Colorado’s regulated sports-betting market created an opportunity for licensed casino operators to add wagering products.

  What changed. Century partnered with Bet365 to launch sports-betting operations in Colorado.

  Aftermath. The partnership added sports wagering to Century’s existing casino and racetrack activities in the state.

  Source
• 2019Acquire three casino operating businesses from Eldorado ResortsM&A

  Century sought to expand its regional casino presence in the United States through operating-business acquisitions rather than purchasing all of the underlying real estate.

  What changed. The company acquired the operating businesses of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville, and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort. Vici Properties acquired the associated real estate and leased it to Century.

  Aftermath. The acquisition substantially expanded Century’s United States portfolio, and the two Missouri properties were subsequently rebranded as Century Casino Cape Girardeau and Century Casino Caruthersville.

  Operating-business acquisition price. $107 million (2019)

  Source

• 2023Century Casinos acquires Nugget Casino Resort and Rocky Gap Casino Resort operations

  Century acquired the operating business of Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, from Marnell Gaming and the operating business of Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Maryland from Golden Entertainment.

  M&A
  Source
• 2023Century Casinos completes Alberta real-estate sale-leaseback

  The company sold the real estate of four Alberta casinos to Vici Properties and continued operating the venues under lease arrangements.

  M&A
  Source
• 2021Century Casinos and Bet365 launch Colorado sports betting

  Century partnered with Bet365 to begin sports-betting operations in Colorado following the state’s legalization and regulatory framework.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2020Century Casino Bath closes after weak results and regulatory changes

  The Bath, England casino closed after poor financial performance and changes to British casino regulations.

  RegulationOther
  Source
• 2020Century Casinos sells Century Casino Calgary

  Century sold the Calgary property to SM2 Capital Partners. The venue was renamed ACE Casino Blackfoot, with relocation plans subsequently announced.

  M&A
  Source
• 2019Century Casinos acquires and rebrands three regional casinos

  Century acquired the operating businesses of three casinos in Missouri and West Virginia from Eldorado Resorts. The Missouri properties were later rebranded under the Century name.

  M&A
  Source
• 2016Century Casinos acquires Apex Casino in Alberta

  The company acquired Apex Casino in St. Albert and renamed it Century Casino St. Albert.

  M&A
  Source
• 2015Century Casinos expands its Alberta racetrack and casino network

  Century Downs Racetrack and Casino opened near Calgary after the company financed and managed the development.

  Product launch
  Source

1. Century Casinos
2. Century Casinos official website