Have you ever wondered if online sports betting is legal in Colorado? Since the gambling laws in the US differ from state to state and change often, it can be difficult to keep up with the stand on the issue in your location.
This article looks into the legal status of online sports betting in Colorado and how you can explore your interest as a bettor living in the state. It’s important to have the latest information to ensure that you’re not unintentionally breaking the law.
In this piece, we explore everything you need to know about online sports gambling in Colorado.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Find all the best CO sportsbooks to place your next college sports bets!
- Learn all about the CO sports betting legalization and its latest news.
- Know where you can join retail sports betting sites in Colorado.
The Legalization Journey of Online Sports Betting in Colorado
Although the bill legalizing online betting in Colorado was passed in November 2019 with a narrow winning margin of 50.8% votes, it wasn’t until May 2020 that betting on sports went live in the state.
With the passing of this bill, also known as Proposition DD, Colorado became the 18th state in the US to legalize sports betting. While Colorado is still relatively new to the betting scene, there are lots of rules guiding wagering in the state.
According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, the Colorado Division of Gaming, which has been active since 1991, and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission oversee these rules. Together, these two departments decide on authorized and unauthorized sports betting activities for the state, as well as how online sports betting sites operate in the state.
This means that all the sports betting sites operating in Colorado have to undergo a thorough registration process and obtain a license to operate. As a result, there are only a handful of sportsbooks where you can gamble legally and safely as a resident of Colorado.
Also, since not all sporting events are authorized for betting, individual operators have to apply through the Division of Gaming to authorize new sporting events. So while a bookmaker might not offer certain events, another bookmaker might.
10 Quick Facts About Colorado’s Sports Betting Laws
- Colorado Law: Sports betting has been legal in Colorado since May 2020 following the passing of Proposition DD, which is the legislative act legalizing sports betting in the state. All eligible adults in the state are free to wager with state-licensed bookmakers.
- Legal Age: To be eligible to wager in Colorado, you have to be 21 years of age or older. Moreover, you must have a valid US Social Security number. Bettors who are up to the legal age but lack an SSN won’t be able to sign up on betting sites from the state.
- State Borders: You cannot physically place a bet from outside Colorado’s borders; you have to be within the state for that. Within the state, you cannot participate in online sports betting on tribal lands belonging to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
- Retail Bookmakers: Colorado allows for retail sportsbooks in certain towns. If you want to place a physical bet, you’ll find a concentration of sports bettors in the mountain towns of Black Hawk and Central City. The alternative is to use online sites if the locations are inconvenient.
- Taxes: Taxes on sports betting in Colorado are levied according to the amount wagered. Generally, however, the state’s sports betting tax is capped at 10% of all sports betting proceeds. You have to report wins of over $600, and you can deduct your betting losses from your tax, but they mustn’t be above the tax amount.
- Regulatory Body: Sports betting in Colorado is primarily overseen and regulated by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, but it’s not the only body responsible. The Colorado Division of Gaming also plays a significant role in regulating betting in the state.
- Betting Types: The betting scene in Colorado covers a wide variety of bet types. You’ll typically find traditional bets like money lines and point spreads, but with online sports betting, you’ll also get bet options like in-game wagering and futures bets.
- Responsible Gambling: Colorado has strict laws on responsible gambling that operators must abide by. These measures include displaying the responsible gaming logo in visible places on betting sites and retail locations, offering self-exclusion for bettors, and advertising responsibly to an eligible audience.
- Restricted Sports: While you can wager on most sports in Colorado, there are a few restricted categories. The most important ones to note are that you cannot wager on college athletic events or high school sporting events. Wagering on in-state horse racing and greyhound racing events also requires permission from the Commission.
- Mobile Sports Betting Sites: Currently, there are about 20 sports betting apps that are licensed to operate in Colorado. You can place a bet from anywhere within the state lines while using these sites.
So, Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Colorado?
So, is Colorado one of the states where online sports betting is legal? The answer is yes. As of May 1st, 2020, residents of Colorado can gamble legally within state lines.
Official confirmation on the Colorado government website states briefly that gambling is now legal in the state. It also informs residents about state-approved betting sites where they can wager safely.
Before the passing of Proposition DD in November 2019, which legalized sports betting, both online and retail sportsbooks were prohibited in Colorado. However, May 1st, 2020, saw the launch of both mobile apps for online wagering and retail sportsbooks.
How to Engage in Online Sports Betting in Colorado
Online sports betting is much like physical wagering, except you have to sign up at an eligible bookmaker. We understand that the process might look daunting, which is why we’ve broken it down in this step-by-step guide.
Before you get started, ensure you have your Social Security Number (SSN), a functional email, and your correct personal information. Once you have these, here’s how to proceed:
- Find the right online betting site by checking out the licensed betting sites in Colorado. Do your research and choose the one that most aligns with your betting needs.
- On your chosen site, click on the signup button, provide all the requested information when prompted, and log in
- Look for the cashier section of the bookmaker and click on “Deposit” to find the available payment options to fund your wallet
- Navigate back to the sportsbook section after funding to see the available events and bet types the bookmaker offers. You might find some unfamiliar bet categories if you’re new to online wagering, and you learn the basics of those by researching them.
- Bet your desired amount on the game of your choice and wait for the results
If you’re a beginner, you might find the tips we’re about to share useful.
When selecting a betting site, always consider the welcome bonus, since you can experiment with unfamiliar bet types using the free money.
Also, when placing your first bets, especially as a newbie, stick to the tried and true. It may be tempting to try all the new categories you see, but it’s better to start with the traditional bets you’re familiar with before venturing into the unknown.
Our Top Three Sports Betting Apps in Colorado
Currently, there are 21 legal betting apps in Colorado for bettors to explore. Each of these platforms has its pros and cons, which mostly depend on the features that are more important to you in sports betting.
Here are our favorites in Colorado:
BetMGM
BetMGM is a trusted name in the American betting industry given its many years running casino hotels both in and outside the US. As a new Colorado player on the site, you’ll get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.
It’s at the top of our list because of their generous welcome bonus offer, and with fair terms too, since it’s valid for seven days. If you’re new to online betting, we’d recommend signing up on BetMGM because of the variety of national and international markets available here.
| Bookmaker | BetMGM |
|---|---|
| Recommended betting markets | NBA & NFL |
| Welcome offer | Up to $1,500 if you lose your first bet |
| Our rating | 4.6/5 |
FanDuel
The second-biggest name in the US betting industry is FanDuel. It’s a favorite among bettors because the website is user-friendly, and it has some of the best same-game parlays in the market.
New players from Colorado are eligible for up to $200 in bonus bets if their first bet of at least $5 wins. While this offer might not be so great if you’re new to sports betting, it’s great for players trying out new options.
| Bookmaker | FanDuel |
|---|---|
| Recommended betting markets | Basketball, baseball, Aussie Rules |
| Welcome offer | Up to $200 in bonus bets if a $5 bet wins |
| Our rating | 4.5/5 |
DraftKings
Last on our list is DraftKings, which made the list because of the wide range of American and international sports available on this bookmaker. It also helps that DraftKings is an American-owned company and offers a great welcome bonus as well.
For new players in Colorado, you can get up to $150 in bonus bets when you place a first bet of at least $5. The best part about this bonus is that you don’t need a bonus code to claim it. It’s automatically deposited in your wallet once you make the minimum bet.
| Bookmaker | DraftKings |
|---|---|
| Recommended betting markets | MLB, NFL, and NBA |
| Welcome offer | Up to $250 in bonus bets when you bet $5 |
| Our rating | 4.5/5 |
Popular Sports and Teams in Colorado Betting Scene
Colorado boasts a good number of iconic teams. Nevertheless, hype doesn’t always translate to massive bet numbers. Let’s take a look at which clubs and games are in the gambling lead.
Basketball
Like most places in the US, basketball takes the lead in the Colorado betting scene, with the state basketball team, Denver Nuggets winning the 2023 NBA championship.
Since 2020, when betting was legalized in Colorado, bettors have spent over $12 million on bets, and NBA betting is leading the way with over $3 million in bets.
With the NBA championship win, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets continues to grow in popularity in the state. He’s arguably the most popular athlete in Colorado, currently holding the record as the first player in the history of the NBA to lead the playoffs in rebounds, assists, and total points.
In addition to being a one-time NBA champion, the Nuggets player is also a 2x MVP, 5x All-NBA, and 5x All-Star player. It’s easy to see why Coloradans love the player, given his impressive run so far.
American Football & Hockey
Following closely behind, Colorado bettors spent over $2 million on professional American football.
This can, perhaps, be attributed to the fact that the Broncos are having one of their worst runs in over 10 years. Naturally, sports bettors gravitate more towards winning teams to place their money on.
The last three sports in the top five categories of the Colorado betting market are baseball, tennis, and college basketball.
While basketball is the most popular sport to bet on in Colorado, the NFL and NHL are in a stiff contest for the spot of the most famous sport. The Denver Broncos and the Colorado Avalanches not only have the biggest fan base in Colorado, but they also have some of the most committed supporters. The same can’t be said of other sports in the state.
Baseball
The popularity of football and hockey doesn’t imply that other sports don’t enjoy lots of support in Colorado. For instance, in Major League Baseball, the Colorado Rockies enjoy decent support from residents in the state.
The Rockies’ fan base is quite loyal, which means that their games attract many bets from both serious and casual baseball bettors.
Local Teams
While Colorado gambling laws prohibit placing bets on college teams, local teams like the University of Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State University Rams continue to enjoy the support of locals in the state.
Other Sports
Besides the popular betting markets in Colorado, tennis and golf are two other sports that are gaining momentum in the state. However, given how new sports betting is in the state, we’re hopeful that not-so-popular sports like DFS, which have been legal in Colorado since 2016, will attract more bettors in the future.
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
The sports betting industry in Colorado thrives around sports like football, baseball, and basketball. As a result, most wagering apps continue to experience increased numbers of people who are using features like live betting.
Colorado is home to some of the best professional leagues in the country, and team loyalty is strong, especially to the Denver Broncos. As you may expect, staking on sporting events remains the biggest source of gambling wins in the state.
On a lot of the sportsbooks we’ve used, we often find that the sporting markets offer over 50 betting options, especially in peak NBA, NFL, or NHL seasons. These options range from lightning bets to wagering on which team would score the next point, or even staking on a particular player reaching first base.
The bet types are almost endless, but most importantly, they’re a fun way to win some quick bucks.
Following this trend, you’ll find that Colorado residents are more likely to bet on sports markets that have a strong local presence in the state. Outliers like tennis and golf, which are not so popular in the state but have local teams in the area, don’t experience the same volumes as the mainstream ones.
Upcoming Events
This month is packed with lots of pro sports events in Colorado, a lot of which we’re looking forward to. It’s also an opportunity to bet on matches between the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Avalanches, the Denver Nuggets, and other big state leagues. Here are some upcoming events in the Colorado sporting scene.
Are There More Gambling Options in Colorado?
Aside from betting on regular sporting events, there are a couple of other options that you can consider betting on in Colorado. Your options include horse racing and off-track betting, land-based casino games, and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
Horse Racing
The Arapahoe Park Horse Track in Denver remains the only live horse racing track in the state co. Additionally, there are 10 other off-track racing tracks in Colorado. However, with the recent legalization of online sports betting, sites like Bet365 now offer fixed-odds horse racing. You can also use online horse racing betting sites in the state.
Land-based Casino Games
With over 30 land-based casinos scattered across Colorado, you’ll always find a suitable place to spin the reels and play classic table games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. While the state government is yet to legalize online casino gambling, casino lovers can make do with the nearest casino facility.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Top DFS sites like FanDuel, UnderDog, and PrizePicks are at the forefront of Colorado’s fantasy sports scene, which has been legal since 2016. Although the laws governing DFS were recently reviewed, it’s still unclear at the time of writing this article what the review portends for DFS in the state.
Maximizing Your Sports Betting Experience in Colorado
In the years we’ve actively participated in Colorado’s betting scene, we’ve picked up quite a few tips through trial and error, learned from experienced punters, and done our research.
Three tips stand out from our wealth of experience:
- Do your research: Given that Colorado has a good number of pro sports teams, team loyalty tends to run high here. However, sports betting should be done with logic, not emotions. Thoroughly research the trends and statistics of each team and player before placing your bet.
- Shop Around for a Perfect Bookmaker: Colorado is not the state with the highest number of bookmakers in the US, but it still has a decent selection of sportsbooks. When picking one, you should consider what your preferred sport is and what the bookmaker offers in that regard. Also, consider bonuses and user experience when picking.
- Understand Bet Types: This is the most important tip for newbies in the betting scene. There are lots of betting options, and some of them are complicated. My advice is to start with basic ones like moneylines, and point spreads before moving on to more complex ones.
Responsible Betting in Colorado
Responsible gambling is key to enjoying sports staking as a fun and relaxing activity. You can practice safe gaming by betting only small amounts at a time and limiting the time you spend on online sportsbooks.
Alternatively, you can take advantage of the various resources provided by bookmakers in the state, like the self-exclusion program. The state also offers help through the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado for bettors who are struggling with a betting problem.
So, Will You Bet From Colorado Tonight?
Now that you know that online sports betting is legal in Colorado, the important thing is to find a reputable sportsbook and sports to bet on. The Denver Nuggets are having a good run this season, making basketball a good event to bet on.
As you explore sports betting in the Centennial State, remember to arm yourself with the sound sports betting knowledge available on our page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
Yes, legal sports betting was approved in Colorado in May 2020. Both online and retail sports betting are permitted, allowing residents to place sports wagers at CO sportsbooks or through various sportsbook apps.
What types of bets can I place with Colorado sportsbooks?
Colorado sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, totals, parlays, and prop bets. You can place sports wagers on professional sports, college sports, and even some non-traditional sports.
Can I bet on college sports in Colorado?
Yes, you can bet on college sports in Colorado. However, there are restrictions. For example, you cannot place prop bets on individual college athletes. It’s important to check the specific rules of each Colorado sportsbook regarding college sports betting.
What are the benefits of using an online sportsbook in Colorado?
Using an online sportsbook in Colorado offers convenience, a wide range of betting options, and competitive odds. You can place sports wagers from anywhere within the state using a sportsbook app, often benefiting from promotions and bonuses that are not available at retail sports betting locations.
How do I get started with online sports betting in Colorado?
To get started with online sports betting in Colorado, choose a reputable CO sportsbook that offers an app or website. Register for an account, verify your identity, and deposit funds. Once your account is set up, you can start placing sports wagers on your favorite sports and teams.
Always ensure the online sportsbook is licensed and regulated by Colorado authorities to guarantee a safe betting experience.
Can I bet on eSports in Colorado?
Yes, you can bet on eSports in Colorado. Many Colorado sportsbooks offer markets for popular esports events and tournaments, allowing you to bet on sports online, including major sports and eSports.
This includes games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Be sure to check the specific offerings and regulations of each online sportsbook or sportsbook app for the most up-to-date information on esports betting.