DENVER -- Now that Colorado's mountain casinos have 24-hour gambling they're looking at providing 24-hour alcohol, after finding gaming action slows to a halt when the liquor stops flowing.

Under current state law, no businesses are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Last November, Colorado voters approved a measure that allowed casinos in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City to operate around the clock, but the casinos still have to stop serving alcohol to customers at 2 a.m.

Colorado casinos want to serve alcohol at all hours to stay competitive with gambling destinations such as Las Vegas.

"Our interest is strictly to be able to provide our patrons something that they expect," John Bohannon, general manager at the Isle Casino in Black Hawk, told The Denver Post. "Most jurisdictions where you have 24-hour gaming, you're going to have 24-hour liquor service as well."

Opponents fear 24-hour drinking could cause problems with public intoxication.

"The key difference is the gaming industry is offering 24-hour entertainment where the stand-alone hotel or restaurant really doesn't do that," said Lois Rice, the executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association.

The Post reported that discussions are preliminary and a proposal may not be ready until 2011.