Colorado Sports Betting

Colorado sports betting is legal and live as of 2020.

There are a variety of legal sportsbook sites and apps where Coloradans can bet on sports already. The competitive market is creating explosive growth and a wealth of choices for bettors in the state.

Legal Colorado online sports betting

State regulators made legal Colorado sports betting available on May 1, 2020. There are already more than a dozen online betting sites and apps in Colorado, and more are on the way. The May 1 launch allowed the new CO sports betting market an opportunity to get up to speed before the coveted start of NFL football and NCAA football wagering in September.

Top Colorado sportsbooks

Rank

Sportsbook

No Deposit Bonus

Features

Play

1

Visit DraftKings Sportsbook

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DraftKings Review

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2

Visit William Hill Sportsbook

$500 

Risk Free Bet

William Hill Review

Up To $500 Risk Free Bet On First Deposit

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3

Visit BETMGM Sportsbook

$600

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MGM Sportsbook Review

$600 Risk Free Bet

$10 Free Weekly Bet

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4

Visit SportsBetting.com

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Best Odds in Colorado

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5

Visit FanDuel Sportsbook

$1,000

Risk Free Bet

FanDuel Review

Up to $1,000 refund if you lose your first bet

Available on Desktop, Android & iOS

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6

Visit Betfred Sportsbook

up to $540 free 

Sign Up Bonus

Betfred Sportsbook Review

$40 Free Bet just for joining

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MUST USE PROMO CODE BFS40

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7

Visit PointsBet Sportsbook

$2,000

In Free Bets On Deposit

PointsBet Review

Get 2 Risk-Free Bets Up to $2,000

Use Promo Code: BETBONUS

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8

Visit Wynn Sportsbook

$500 

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On Deposit

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$500 Risk Free Sports Bet

Weekly Boosted Parlays

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Colorado sports betting apps

People in Colorado certainly are not lacking for options when it comes to legal sports betting apps. Sports betting went live in the state on May 1, 2020. Several sportsbooks were ready to go on launch date, and many more have followed since. Here’s a look at the current list of options and what they all bring to the table.

Betfred

• Launch date: Sept. 10, 2020
• Partner: Saratoga Casino

Betfred began in the UK in 1967. The company expanded to the US in 2019 and was able to launch in Colorado on opening day of NFL season in 2020. Betfred has a retail book at the Saratoga and has also made headlines with promotional deals with local pro teams.

BetMGM

• Launch date: May 1, 2020
• Partner: Midnight Rose Casino

The BetMGM app was one of the first in Colorado. The sportsbook is the product of a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain plc. BetMGM has been establishing a strong footprint in a number of legal states, and it has been no different in Colorado. Top features include a dedicated section for live betting and a range of niche sports.

BetMonarch

• Launch date: May 11, 2020
• Partner: Monarch Casino

Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk has taken a different path toward mobile sports betting. While many brick-and-mortar casinos partner with outside vendors, this one has built its own product. Developed by Miomni Gaming, the layout is clean and users can accrue rewards points while wagering.

BetRivers

• Launch date: May 1, 2020
• Partner: JP McGill’s Casino

A member of the Rush Street Interactive family, BetRivers continues to grow in reach. One of the first to launch in Colorado and partnered with JP McGill’s, the app has found success in a number of markets. A solid rewards program, ongoing promotional opportunities and an overall slick package are among the features that have helped BetRivers stand out.

BetWildwood

• Launch date: July 21, 2020
• Partner: Wildwood Casino

Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek has also gone the route of developing its own app. Visitors can check out Woody’s Sportsbook and also use the BetWildwood app on the go. The site layout is clean and easy to navigate, with a deep menu of sports available for wagering.

Circa Sports

• Launch date: July 1, 2020
• Partner: Century Casinos

This is the mobile offering from Circa Resort & Casino, a popular destination in downtown Las Vegas. The launch of the Circa Sports app in Colorado was the company’s first foray with a sports betting app outside Nevada. The app was developed in conjunction with International Gaming Technology. Circa aims to prioritize betting value to stand out in the crowded market.

DraftKings Sportsbook

• Launch date: May 1, 2020
• Partner: Mardi Gras Casino

As has been the case in a number of legal markets, DraftKings is off to a strong start in Colorado. The app’s top features include its approach to live betting, a wide range of prop bets, and the overall smoothness of the mobile betting experience.

Elite Sportsbook

• Launch date: Aug. 12, 2020
• Partner: Red Dolly Casino

Elite Sportsbook launched its site in Iowa in August 2019. About a year later, it came to Colorado via a deal with Red Dolly Casino. An app is available for iOS while the site is optimized to work on Android browsers. In-house features include “progressive parlays” with insurance. Funding options are limited to Play+ or cash at the casino cage for the time being.

FanDuel Sportsbook

• Launch date: May 1, 2020
• Partner: Golden Gates Casino

As a market leader in a number of legal states, FanDuel is hitting a lot of the right notes. The app receives high marks for both appearance and functionality. FanDuel has all of the markets and bets most are looking for, a range of funding options and popular features like same -game parlays.

Fox Bet

• Launch date: May 19, 2020
• Partner: Lady Luck Casino

This sportsbook launched as the result of a joint effort between The Stars Group and media giant Fox. The app is heavily advertised on Fox Sports programming, but it brings much more to the table than just a recognizable brand name. Users will find regular promotions involving network personalities, as well as a clean layout that’s easy to navigate.

PlayMaverick

• Launch date: March 16, 2021
• Partner: Maverick Gaming

Maverick Gaming is the operator of three casinos in Colorado: Grand Z, Johnny Z’s and Z Casino. The company is handling sports betting operations on its own and developed an app with International Gaming Technology. Users will find a clean layout and a basic menu of sports available for wagering.

PointsBet

• Launch date: Nov. 18, 2020
• Partner: Double Eagle Casino

Australia-based PointsBet launched in the US in January 2019 and later moved its US headquarters to Denver. New Jersey was its first point of entry. The company has since expanded to other states and increased its reach with high-profile promotional deals. PointsBet introduced a new way to wager as well. Known as PointsBetting, it places more control over risk-reward in your hands.

SBK Sportsbook

• Launch date: June 4, 2020
• Partner: Bronco Billy’s Casino

SBK Sportsbook made its US debut in Colorado in June 2020. The parent company is UK-based Smarkets, which aims to prioritize the social aspect of gambling. The interface is clean, with an onsite leaderboard to track results.

Sky Ute

• Launch date: June 9, 2020
• Partner: Sky Ute Casino Resort

Sky Ute Casino Resort is located in the southwestern area of Colorado. A tribal casino, the company tends to do a lot of things in-house, and it partnered with USBookmaking for its sportsbook app. Features include a loyalty program and “half-point” purchase promos on select games.

SportsBetting.com

• Launch date: Sept. 16, 2020
• Partner: Johnny Nolan’s Casino

Carousel Group is the parent company for a sportsbook with a ubiquitous web address. Colorado is the first state in which it is available, but the company has designs on launching in more soon. Available on iOS for now, the site is also optimized to work on Android and features a clean layout and solid selection of markets and bets.

SuperBook USA

• Launch date: Jan. 7, 2021
• Partner: The Lodge Casino

The world-famous Las Vegas-based SuperBook has finally spread its wings. The company announced plans for retail and mobile betting in Colorado in 2020, but it took some time to get things sorted out. Now, though, the company has big plans for the market, including making its popular NFL SuperContest available in the state if possible.

TheScore Bet

• Launch date: Sept. 2, 2020
• Partner: The Gilpin Casino

Canada-based media company theScore has developed a sports betting platform in conjunction with Bet.Works. Its goal is to incorporate its news offerings and wagering in a seamless environment. The company enters Colorado via a deal with The Gilpin Casino and brings to the table a clean and intuitive mobile wagering experience.

William Hill

• Launch date: Sept. 9, 2020
• Partners: Lady Luck Casino and Isle Casino

UK-based bookmaking powerhouse William Hill has been steadily expanding its presence across the US. The company launched in Colorado in September 2020 and also has a retail foothold in the state. There’s a ton of experience behind the scenes at William Hill, and it shows in an efficient platform that lets you get down to business quickly.

WynnBet

• Launch date: Nov. 26, 2020
• Partner: Bronco Billy’s Casino

Colorado is one of five states in which WynnBET has launched to date, and it has plans for more markets in the future. The sportsbook is part of the online gambling division of Wynn Resorts, an operator of high-end casinos in various locales. The app itself is slick and easy to use.

Latest CO sports betting news

Colorado Sports Betting Back On The Upswing With March Madness Boost

After its first monthly handle dip in February, Colorado sports betting increased again in March. Colorado bettors wagered $301 million in March, according to a Colorado Division of Gaming report released Tuesday. Since launching in May 2020, the state has now surpassed $2 billion in handle. While March’s total is below January‘s all-time record handle […] Read More

Posted on: April 28, 2021 | Sports Betting | Pat Evans

Colorado Sports Betting Slips For First Time Since Launch

Colorado sports betting handle dipped in February for the first time in its brief history. The monthly handle of $266.5 million was down from January’s record of $326.9 million, according to a Colorado Division of Gaming report released Monday. CO sports betting generated $10.4 million in gross gaming revenue, representing a 4% hold. The state […] Read More

Posted on: March 30, 2021 | Sports Betting | Pat Evans

Problem Gambling Advocates Issue College Sports Betting Partnership Guidelines

The National Council on Problem Gambling this week released a set of suggested college sports betting partnership guidelines. The NCPG released a report and the set of recommendations on Tuesday in the midst of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte said the guidelines come as part of the larger Safer Sports Betting Initiative […] Read More

Posted on: March 26, 2021 | Regulation Sports Betting | Pat Evans

Colorado sports betting law

Basics for the Colorado sports betting law:

• The state licenses sports betting operators who partner with casinos in the state
• Betting can take place both via online apps and physical sportsbooks
• Bettors must be located in the state and 21 years old to bet

Here are some of the other details. The law creates three types of licenses:

• Master license
• Sports betting operator
• Internet sports betting operator

Each of Colorado’s 33 casinos can apply for a master license. There is a $10,000 initial nonrefundable fee, followed by a two-year $125,000 licensing fee, as per the Colorado Gaming Division sports betting rules.

An approved casino then could partner with a land-based operator and an internet operator (or use the same partner for both) and utilize one online/mobile platform. A 10% tax rate creates an industry-friendly climate for CO sports betting. Both esports and high school sports betting are banned under current law and regulation.

There are a variety of sports betting sites already available for anyone wanting to bet in Colorado. Some are run by large companies with a presence in multiple states, while others are tied to a local casino and exist only in Colorado. Here is a look at what we currently know about CO sports betting sites that are both live and on their way in the state, including the relationships between casinos and sportsbooks:

Sports betting deals in Colorado

The legal Colorado sports betting market has been extremely competitive. The state attracted a number of the industry’s top sportsbooks, and several of its physical casinos house retail sportsbooks, or betting kiosks at the very least.

Standing out in a crowded market is a tall task for books. Bonuses and promotional offers help them make headway, as do extensive advertising and marketing. To capture additional attention, some sportsbooks take the step of partnering with local teams. The major pro teams in the state have all signed deals, and the trend has even crept over to the college side. Here’s a look at the promotional deals to date and some of the key highlights.

• FanDuel/ Denver Broncos: FanDuel gains access to Broncos logos and marks for marketing purposes.
• Betfred/Broncos: Betfred gets rights to operate a sports betting lounge at Empower Field at Mile High.
• BetMGM/Broncos: BetMGM can also operate a lounge at the stadium and offer a free-to-play game for fans.
• PointsBet/Denver Nuggets: Branding throughout the Pepsi Center, and PointsBet was named official betting partner of team owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
• DraftKings/Colorado Rockies: Rights to Rockies logos and marks as well as in-stadium branding rights at Coors Field.
• Betfred/Rockies: Access to various digital and stadium assets as well as game day experiences for fans.
• PointsBet/Colorado Avalanche: Part of the broader deal with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, similar to how it is with the Nuggets.
• PointsBet/University of Colorado: Advertising rights in the stadium and on team radio broadcasts.

The deal with the University of Colorado raised some eyebrows, but partnerships between sports betting entities and pro teams have become commonplace in legal states. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see what else develops on the promotional front in this highly competitive market.

How to start betting in Colorado

Here are the basic steps to get started if you want to bet with legal sports betting apps in Colorado

• Download an app (or apps) that you want to use for wagering
• Sign up for an account via the app
• Fund your account via a deposit

Once you have completed these steps, anyone who is 21 years of age and older can start betting. You must be located in Colorado to bet; your wagers will be declined if you are not physically within the state’s borders.

Banking options at Colorado sportsbooks

There are a number of ways to deposit and withdraw for Colorado online sports betting. The options vary based on which sportsbook you are using, but here are the top-level options:

• Online banking and bank transfers
• Credit cards
• Debit cards (bank or prepaid cards)
• PayPal
• PayNearMe (available at cashiers of 7-Eleven and other retail stores)
• Cash at the casino cage

Information on sportsbook bonuses in Colorado

With the advent of legal online sports betting in Colorado, there’s been a rush to acquire customers from most sportsbooks. The early years of legal betting in any state are a key time for anyone running a sportsbook, and many of them offer attractive bonuses as they fight for marketshare in any given state.

DraftKings and FanDuel, the two leaders in the nascent US sports betting, have generally been the most aggressive on this front. Here are some of the typical bonus types sportsbooks offer in an attempt to attract a new user:

• No deposit bonus: Sportsbooks will sometimes offer free money to bet with, with no deposit required. These amounts are normally pretty small and are subject to playthrough requirements if you win with the free money before it can be withdrawn.
• Risk free bets: These are bets that a user receives upon a first deposit. You can make a bet with a “risk free bet” and if you win, you just win the bet (and you don’t get the actual wager back, just the profit. If you lose the bet, you get site credit equal to the amount of the risk free bet
• Deposit match bonus: This traditional type of bonus gives users money to bet with. The bonus is subject to playthrough requirements

Live betting

While a lot of sports wagering takes place before games start, the spread of online betting in Colorado and elsewhere has made betting during a competition possible and more prevalent.

Sportsbooks apps offer live odds on many sports, including spreads, moneylines, and sometimes even prop bets on events that take place during a game.

What’s available for live betting depends a lot on the sportsbook you use, and which game or sport you are looking at.

Colorado sportsbooks at casinos

Outside of a pair of tribal casinos in Ignacio and Towaoc, brick-and-mortar establishments in Colorado are clustered in the state’s three legal gambling cities: Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek.

Many of the venues have received the relevant licenses and opened retail sportsbooks on-site. Here’s a look at where you can bet in-person in Colorado and what you need to know about each shop.

Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar Black Hawk

• Address: 111 Richman St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 720-946-4000
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar is on the second floor of the casino. Visitors will find a 24-foot video wall, 13 betting kiosks, 29 HDTVs and drink specials. Sportsbook kiosks are open 24 hours daily and are also available in Bar 8042.

Betfred Sportsbook at Saratoga Casino

• Address: 101 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-582-6100
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

UK-based Betfred is the operator of a 1,400-square-foot sportsbook at the Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk. There are multiple betting windows and self-serve kiosks, an LED video wall and HDTVs, and several seating options in the lounge area with food and beverage choices nearby.

BetRivers Sportsbook at McGill’s Hotel and Casino

• Address: 232 Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek
• Telephone: 719-689-2446
• Hours: Open 24 hours

BetRivers takes care of sportsbook operations for McGill’s, which is part of the Triple Crowns Casinos family along with Brass Ass Casino and Midnight Rose Casino. Pint and Platter provides food and beverages during regular hours.

Colorado Grande Casino

• Address: 300 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek
• Telephone: 719-689-3517
• Hours: Open 24 hours

The only options for sports betting at Colorado Grande are self-serve kiosks, but the venue has inked an access deal with 888 Sport, which has plans to launch in the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook at Mardi Gras Casino Black Hawk

• Address: 300 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-582-5600
• Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The DraftKings Sportsbook at Mardi Gras features a huge video wall, eight sports betting kiosks and two OTB terminals, and a full-service cashier. There’s also a full kitchen and bar and another 11 big-screen HDTVs.

Elite Sportsbook at Red Dolly Casino

• Address: 530 Gregory St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-582-1100
• Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Elite Sportsbook is the operator in charge at Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk. Betting kiosks are available across the property. The Elite Sportsbook app and website have also launched in Colorado, and there are plenty of other gambling options at the casino.

Johnny Nolon’s Casino

• Address: 301 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek
• Telephone: 719-689-2080
• Hours: Open 24 hours

ISI Race & Sports has retail self-serve betting kiosks at Johnny Nolon’s. The casino’s online and mobile partner is Carousel Group, the parent company of SportsBetting.com.

Maverick Sports at Grand Z Casino

• Address: 321 Gregory St., Central City
• Telephone: 303-582-0800
• Hours: Open 24 hours

Maverick operates a trio of casinos in Colorado: Grand Z and Johnny Z’s in Central City, and Z Casino in Black Hawk. Visitors can find self-service PlaySports betting kiosks at all three properties and a book at the Grand Z.

Sasquatch Casino

• Address: 125 Gregory St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 720-880-1616
• Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

You’ll find self-serve betting kiosks from IGT at Sasquatch Casino, along with food and beverage options, casino gambling and an arcade area for kids.

Sportsbook at Monarch Casino Black Hawk

• Address: 488 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-582-1000
• Hours: Open 24 hours

Round-the-clock kiosk service is available at Monarch Casino Black Hawk. While construction continues on a permanent book, sports betting at the venue is temporarily located on the second floor by the Monarch Rewards desk.

TwinSpires Sportsbook at Bronco Billy’s

• Address: 233 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek
• Telephone: 719-689-2142
• Hours: Open 24 hours

TwinSpires handles the operations at Bronco Billy’s in Cripple Creek. It’s only on-site kiosks at the property, which also features the usual array of gambling, dining and hotel accommodations.

William Hill Sportsbook at Isle Casino Blackhawk

• Address: 401 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 800-843-4753
• Hours: Open 24 hours

William Hill’s sportsbook at Isle Casino consists only of betting kiosks for now, but the website notes to check back for updates. The William Hill app and website are also available for bettors in Colorado.

William Hill Sportsbook at Lady Luck Casino

• Address: 340 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-998-7777
• Hours: Open 24 hours

William Hill also handles the operations at Lady Luck Casino in Black Hawk, but it’s the same story as over at Isle Casino. There are betting kiosks onsite with a note on the website to check back for updates.

Wild Card Saloon

• Address: 120 Main St., Black Hawk
• Telephone: 303-582-3412
• Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Wild Card and Sasquatch are under the same ownership, a local family business known as Ed and Shirley Inc. It’s a similar setup, with IGT self-serve betting kiosks.

Woody’s Sportsbook at Wildwood Casino

• Address: 119 N Fifth St., Cripple Creek
• Telephone: 719-244-9700
• Hours: Kiosks open 24 hours; sportsbook services from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kiosk service is available round the clock, while Woody’s Sportsbook is available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. There’s a huge video wall, a full bar with food options, and plenty of room to kick back and watch the action.

Most popular sports to bet on in Colorado

The four major professional sports along with college football account for the bulk of wagers at legal US sportsbooks. Here’s what betting on those four leagues could look like once sports betting in Colorado gets started:

NFL betting in Colorado

Expect legal NFL betting to become the king of sports betting in Colorado quickly. Professional football by far is America’s favorite sport on which to wager of course, spanning the preseason in August to the Super Bowl the following February.

MLB betting in Colorado

Betting on baseball should prove to be a steady source of handle at Colorado sportsbooks. The MLB season stretches from Spring Training in March through the World Series in October or November.

NBA betting in Colorado

Betting on the NBA continues to gain traction steadily in the United States. While March Madness rules basketball betting in terms of events, wagering on professional basketball (especially in-play betting) is growing.

College football and college basketball betting

Betting on college sports, like in most states, is big business. The University of Colorado is the most popular, as its football and basketball teams are popular statewide.

NHL betting in Colorado

Perhaps no state in the country presents a better opportunity for NHL betting than Colorado. Hockey is big business in the Centennial State at both the professional and collegiate levels.

MLS betting in Colorado

Betting on US professional soccer leagues remains a small market relative to other pro sports. Wagering on international soccer draws more handle than does Major League Soccer.

Betting on Colorado pro sports teams

Colorado is home to a number of pro sports franchises, here are the most recognizable ones:

• The Denver Broncos enjoy one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL and regularly sell out home games. The Broncos will be one of the more popular wagers in the Colorado sports betting market from the jump.
• The Denver Nuggets have been one of the steadiest NBA franchises of the past decade. The team consistently posts winning records in the NBA’s Western Conference, including strong performances at home at the Pepsi Center.
• The NHL’s Colorado Avalanche are an up-and-coming team with many young stars. The Avalanche play in front of one of the league’s most loyal fan bases and should drive wagering on pro hockey.
• The Colorado Rockies are Denver’s professional baseball team. The team qualified for the World Series in 2007 but has struggled to find success in more recent years. The team plays its home games at Coors Field in downtown Denver.
• The Colorado Rapids of the MLS will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2020. The team plays in suburban Denver and became league champions in 2010.

Colorado sports betting revenue

Colorado is already one of the biggest sports betting markets in the country, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in wagers each month.

The market should reach in excess of $6 billion in wagers annually, a number that could go up depending on how the industry develops.

More on Colorado betting revenue here.

CO sports betting history

How did sports betting come to the Centennial State? Here’s a look back at the timeline leading to the start:

2020: Colorado finally launches

Legal sports betting finally launched in Colorado on May 1 despite most major leagues being shut down at the time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Colorado sports betting market took off quickly, thanks in large part to the industry-friendly climate that created a competitive environment among multiple sportsbooks. Pro teams quickly signed deals with sports betting operators in Colorado to help attract new fans and engage current ones.

2019: The two-step path to legal sports betting

Legalizing sports betting in Colorado was never going to be a simple task.

While state voters historically take a progressive attitude toward social issues including marijuana and same-sex marriage, the same cannot be said for gambling. Casino gaming began in 1991 and is limited to three small towns in the Rockies.

The state also has a restrictive Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) on the books. This requires that any law raising taxes must go before voters after being approved by the state legislature.

Colorado’s state legislature pushed the envelope on timing in 2019. The measure pushed by Rep. Alec Garnett did not receive final approval from both chambers of the legislature until the final day of the session.

Step two in Colorado

Clearing the legislature was only half the battle in Colorado. A ballot measure then needed to be drafted, and TABOR required this clunky language that made CO sports betting look like a tax hike:

SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY TWENTY-NINE MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO FUND STATE WATER PROJECTS AND COMMITMENTS AND TO PAY FOR THE REGULATION OF SPORTS BETTING THROUGH LICENSED CASINOS BY AUTHORIZING A TAX ON SPORTS BETTING OF TEN PERCENT OF NET SPORTS BETTING PROCEEDS, AND TO IMPOSE THE TAX ON PERSONS LICENSED TO CONDUCT SPORTS BETTING OPERATIONS?

The measure ultimately passed in November 2019 with a slim margin of more than 20,000 votes. With passage secured, Colorado regulators were able to craft rules and regulations to govern how sports betting in CO would operate.

Colorado sports betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado sports betting is legal as of May 1, 2020.

That launch met the target date set by Colorado regulators months ago. It is also the first date that operators were allowed to launch their CO sports betting apps, provided they have received approval from the state to do so. That does not mean all Colorado sportsbooks opened in May. That is only the initial date state regulators made it possible for operators to launch their products. Many more sportsbooks are on the way through the rest of 2021.

Who oversees CO sports betting?

The Colorado Division of Gaming has oversight over sports wagering. This division of the state government also is in charge of implementing regulations to govern day-to-day activities of sports betting in Colorado. The state’s gaming commission approved final rules governing sports betting in Colorado in the months before the May launch.

Where can I bet on sports in Colorado?

Placing a bet is legal anywhere within the state’s borders. If you are not located in Colorado while using a sportsbook app, you cannot place a wager, even if you are a Colorado resident.

Your phone or device must be able to verify where you are located when attempting to place a bet in Colorado. That will take place using the same type of geolocation technology used by navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps. There also are three Rocky Mountain towns where Colorado casinos are legal that have added retail sportsbooks since 2020.

Is mobile sports betting in Colorado available?

Yes. Sports betting in Colorado is possible via your phone or tablet. CO sportsbook apps quickly became the most popular way to bet on sports in Colorado, driven in part by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There also will be retail sportsbooks in the mountain towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek, in addition to statewide access via mobile apps.

Who can apply for a sports betting license?

Any of the state’s 33 casinos can attempt to get a license through state regulators. Each can partner with one online/mobile brand.

This means popular sports betting apps such as DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook are available in Colorado. Recognized brands from throughout the country plan to take part in CO sports betting.

Who can bet on sports in Colorado?

The legal sports gambling age in Colorado is 21 years old.

As is the case in other states, people will close affiliations to sports teams (players, coaches, trainers, team officials, etc.) will be restricted from betting. This is because these people potentially have information about or the ability to influence the outcome of a game.