A proposed ballot initiative would ask Colorado voters to give authority to the state's gambling towns to increase casino bet limits, add new games and extend operating hours. The measure, filed Friday with the Legislative Council, still has to go through the title board to get a ballot title, and proponents must submit 76,000 certified signatures to get it on the November ballot.

Under the present Colorado law, gamblers can only wager a maximum of five dollars and the casinos are required to close at 2 am. The new proposal is seeking to raise the maximum bet to $100 and allow the casinos to stay open 24 hours a day. The state's casino industry for years has said that the bet limit prevents local operators from attracting out-of-state gamblers. Colorado is the only state with a $5 bet limit.