Is sports betting legal in Colorado? Read this guide for info on the legal situation, betting markets, and banking methods at the state’s best online sportsbooks.
On the lookout for Colorado sports betting sites, but not quite sure where to begin? This page has you covered. As well as ranking the best sites available to sports fans in the Centennial State, we’ll discuss the legal backdrop to gambling in Colorado, the kinds of betting markets on offer, and point you to a handful of our favorite sportsbooks. You’ll then be all set to weigh up the options and pick the operator that’s right for you.
Are online betting sites legal in Colorado?
Yes. Legalized sports betting began in the state in May 2020, both at land-based sportsbooks and online. There’s now a great spread of sports betting sites in Colorado, and you can enjoy placing wagers as long as you’re at least 21 and physically located in the state.
Sportsbook operators are overseen by the Colorado Division of Gaming (CDG) and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (CLGCC) which, together, issue licenses to those who want to offer sports betting or other gambling activities in the state. These regulatory bodies have the power to sanction or even shut down sites that act unethically. So, as long as a site is licensed to operate in Colorado, you can feel confident that it’s a safe place to bet.
Why play at a licensed Colorado online betting site?
Licensed Colorado sports betting sites are carefully audited by the regulatory authorities of the state. Their practices, including the way that odds are provided and wagers are processed, are monitored to ensure they maintain the highest standards of integrity. Sportsbooks must also promote responsible gambling and provide clear, transparent terms and conditions for bonuses. If you encounter any problems or feel an operator is behaving unfairly, you can report the operator to Colorado gambling authorities to resolve your issue.
Why should I avoid offshore online sportsbooks?
While it’s possible to seek out offshore sportsbooks, by which we mean sites that aren’t licensed to operate within Colorado, it’s not something we’d recommend. Such sites – which are often entirely unregulated – may try to draw people in with generous welcome bonuses and other flashy perks. But if you encounter problems, there is usually little or no customer support, and you have no guarantee the odds are fair, or that payouts will be forthcoming.
Indeed, a site can simply disappear overnight, taking your money with it. With plenty of legal betting sites in Colorado, there’s no need to opt for illegitimate offshore options.
How to identify a legal online betting site in Colorado
It’s easy to ensure you’re playing at a legal online betting site in Colorado. Reputable sites will clearly state on their homepage that they are licensed by the Colorado Division of Gaming (the wording may namecheck the Colorado Department of Revenue instead). You can double-check the accuracy of this information by going to the CDG website, where the full list of approved operators is on display. You’ll also know a site is licensed if it’s featured here on GamblingSpotlight, as our team will filter out any offshore or illegitimate sites.
Which online betting sites can Colorado residents play at?
Need some inspiration when picking Colorado sports betting sites? Here’s a handful of sites that have caught our attention:
DraftKings
DraftKings welcomes new members with a matched deposit bonus capped at $1,000, which can bolster your bankroll before you even make any wagers. There’s plenty of markets to explore here, from the English Premier League to the NHL, and you’ll be able to place live, in-play bets on many events both in the US and across the globe.
There are also ongoing promos available, such as profit boosts on selected NBA games.
FanDuel
FanDuel’s risk-free welcome bonus takes the pressure off when you make your first wager at its sportsbook. If your bet goes south, you’ll have your stake refunded in bonus credits – up to a $1,000 max.
The site itself is well designed – clear, easy on the eye, and even easier to navigate. You can jump from spreads to totals to parlays, and take advantage of fluctuating in-game odds, too. Regular odds boosts can also add to potential returns on select betting markets.
BetMGM
As with the other top sports betting sites, BetMGM covers a wide range of sports, from the major leagues to NASCAR. You can get started with ease thanks to the $1,000 risk-free welcome offer. There’s also a rich array of ongoing promos to pick from, including profit boosts on winning 4+ parlays, and parlay insurance that will cover up to $50 on college football combos.
Prop bets can also get the risk-free treatment – for example, up to $25 back if you place a losing bet on a player to score the first touchdown in an NFL game.
BetRivers
BetRivers has one of the best welcome bonus offers in Colorado, offering a matched deposit of 100% up to $250, with a mere 1x playthrough requirement. Once you’ve signed up, the site offers a selection of live sports streams available for tennis, NHL games, and more.
There’s a very simple same game parlay tool that lets you create bespoke betting combinations, while regular bettors can rack up potentially lucrative points through the iRush Rewards program.
Caesars
The playful Roman emperor theme gives the Caesars sportsbook an enjoyably irreverent vibe, but there’s serious substance to go with the style. For one thing, the operator will match your first wager up to $1,001. Whether it wins or loses, you’ll get the bonus credits when the bet settles.
As you might expect from one of the best-known names in gambling, you can help yourself to all kinds of betting markets at Caesars, from moneylines to the most specific props. Look out for odds boosts and special promos that tie in with events like big college basketball clashes.
Colorado’s land-based bookmakers
Does Colorado have sports betting available for those who prefer to wager in person? Absolutely. Here’s a list of retail sportsbook sites in the Centennial State:
| Land-based sportsbook | Address |
| Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | 101 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Monarch Casino Resort Spa | 488 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Bally’s Black Hawk | 300 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Ameristar Black Hawk | 111 Richman St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Johnny Nolon’s Casino | 301 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 |
| Isle Black Hawk | 401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Red Dolly Casino | 530 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Wild Card Saloon | 120 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Sasquatch Casino | 125 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Bronco Billy’s Casino | 233 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 |
| Colorado Grande Casino | 300 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 |
| Lady Luck Casino | 340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Johnny Z’s Casino | 132 Lawrence St, Central City, CO 80427 |
| Grand Z Casino | 321 Gregory St, Central City, CO 80427 |
| Z Casino | 101 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk | 240 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 |
| Sky Ute Casino Resort (tribal) | 14324 Hwy 172 North, Ignacio, CO 81137 |
| Ute Mountain Casino Hotel (tribal) | 3 Weeminuche Dr, Towaoc, CO 81334 |
How to bet on sports with real money
New to sports betting? Here’s how to get signed up and start betting on sports with real money:
- Find a site you like the look of. On this page, we’ve put together a selection of the best online betting sites in Colorado, all of which are licensed so you know you’ll be in safe hands.
- Click our link to your favorite site’s registration page. Here, you’ll just have to enter some personal details – and potentially show some ID documents to verify things like your age and address. Don’t forget to enter any promo code that might be required to unlock welcome offers.
- If you’ve chosen a betting site with a no deposit or free bet bonus, you’ll usually get these automatically once the registration process is complete. Otherwise, you’ll need to make a deposit to play with real money.
- Head to the cashier section of the site and choose your payment method and how much you want to deposit into your account. The best betting sites in Colorado will offer plenty of options for making a payment.
You may have to make a certain minimum deposit to access a welcome offer, or the deal may depend on a qualifying bet. - Once the deposit is made, you can head to your preferred betting markets and start making wagers.
Which sports can I bet on in Colorado?
You can bet on all kinds of events in Colorado, from local skirmishes to international tournaments. The best Colorado betting sites offer a wide range of sports, such as:
- Football (incl. NFL)
- Basketball (incl. NBA)
- Baseball (incl. MLB)
- Hockey (incl. NHL)
- Soccer (incl. MLS)
- Boxing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports (incl. NASCAR)
- Cricket
- MMA
While you can bet on college games – including those featuring in-state teams – you can’t place prop bets on any college sports events.
Local sports teams to bet on
Colorado is home to dedicated sports fans who will often place bets on the local major sports teams, which are:
- Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Rapids (MLS)
College sports are also hugely popular in the state, with these teams attracting bets by loyal locals:
- Colorado Buffaloes
- Denver Pioneers
- Northern Colorado Bears
- Air Force Falcons
- Colorado State Rams
Betting markets
The top Colorado betting sites offer a variety of ways to make a wager, including:
- Moneyline – The most straightforward type of bet: simply predict the winner of a sporting event.
- Point Spread – With this market, you’ll bet on the favorite winning by a certain points margin, or on the underdog to either win outright or lose within a permitted score.
- Props – Prop bets aren’t focused on the outcome of the game, but rather individual statistics, such as which team will be first to reach a certain number of points in a basketball game.
- Futures – As you might guess from the name, this market is all about predicting the winner of a future event such as the Super Bowl or World Series.
- Totals – These are over/under bets, where you guess whether a particular statistic will be above or below a certain threshold figure. For example, whether – or not – there’ll be at least two goals scored in regular time during a soccer match.
- Parlays – These are cumulative bets, so you’ll place multiple wagers which all need to win for you to receive a payout.
- Live betting – The best Colorado sportsbooks let you place bets even when the action is still underway, with odds shifting up and down depending on the momentum of the game or event.
Mobile betting apps in Colorado
Colorado gamblers who enjoy playing on the go can choose between a wide range of mobile apps. The best sports betting sites in Colorado – such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and Barstool – have all launched mobile apps alongside their desktop websites.
By downloading an app to your iOS or Android device, you can enjoy a seamless and convenient betting experience. There’ll be no need to open your browser and go to the sportsbook’s URL – just tap the app and you’ll see the latest markets. Additionally, you can activate push notifications to keep you informed on the latest promos for Colorado players.
Colorado betting payment methods
Colorado sports betting sites typically provide a good range of ways to both deposit and withdraw. This is good news for bettors, as the chances are your preferred banking method will be in the mix. Just bear in mind that exact options will vary from site to site.
Deposit
Deposits tend to be processed instantly, meaning you can start betting in no time. Commonly found options include:
- Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard
- Prepaid Play+ cards
- Depositing at the land-based casino/sportsbook partner
- Online bank transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- E-wallets
- PayNearMe
Withdrawal
There are usually fewer withdrawal methods available at sportsbooks, and how long you’ll have to wait to receive your money will depend on your chosen site and method. Here are the options most frequently found in Colorado:
- E-wallets
- Withdrawing at the land-based casino/sportsbook partner
- ACH/eCheck
- Online bank transfer
- Check by mail
- Prepaid Play+ cards
History of gambling in Colorado
Wondering how the Centennial State got round to legalizing sports betting? Here are some of the key dates you need to know.
2018 – PASPA, a long-standing federal ban on sports betting – which applied to most of the United States – is dramatically overturned by the Supreme Court. This means that individual states are free to determine their own sports betting legislation.
2019 – Voters in Colorado very narrowly pass Proposition DD – a piece of legislation authorizing sports betting in the state – with a provision to use tax revenues from legal sports betting to fund state water projects.
2020 – Sports betting in Colorado goes live in May, with retail and online sportsbooks opening for business.
Problem gambling support in Colorado
Sports betting can be a fun hobby to enjoy in your free time, but if you find you’re stressed or anxious due to your gambling habits, or you’re chasing losses and spending beyond your budget, the following organizations offer confidential advice and support:
Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado
http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org/
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
National Council on Problem Gambling
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Phone: 855-2CALLGA
Ready to discover Colorado betting sites?
Hopefully, we’ve now laid the foundations for you to explore and enjoy sports betting in the Centennial State. If you’d like to give it a try, compare the welcome offers and other attributes of the best Colorado sportsbooks right here. Then, simply follow our link to sign up to whichever site you like the best. Good luck!
FAQs
Is online betting legal in Colorado?
Online sports betting is indeed legal in Colorado, although you can’t play real money online casino games.
How do I know if I’m playing at a licensed Colorado online sportsbook?
Simply check whether the site is licensed by the Colorado Division of Gaming. Any reputable sportsbooks will state this on their website, and you can rest assured that we’ll only ever recommend sites that are licensed and legitimate.
Will I be taxed for my gambling winnings?
Yes, your winnings are subject to federal and state income tax.
What other forms of gambling are allowed in Colorado?
Colorado has so far legalized land-based sportsbooks and casinos, online sports betting, and pari-mutuel betting. Online casino and poker options are currently off the table.
Do you need to be in Colorado to play at a Colorado online sportsbook?
You don’t need to be a permanent resident of Colorado to play at the state’s online sportsbooks, but you do need to be within state lines when you place your bet. Betting sites use location tracking software to confirm you’re in the state.
Is Colorado online betting fair?
If you stick to betting sites licensed by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, you can be sure of fair play. Licensed sites have to follow strict regulations and are regularly audited to ensure they do.
Which is the best online betting site in Colorado?
Every licensed sportsbook in Colorado has a lot going for it, so the answer to this question depends on your personal taste. At Gambling Spotlight, we’ve put together a comparison of Colorado betting sites, so you can choose one that suits your preferences.
Are there any new online betting sites in Colorado?
One of the most recent additions to Colorado’s sportsbook market is MaximBet. An extension of the well-known Maxim lifestyle brand, the site launched in Colorado in September 2021.
References:
https://sbg.colorado.gov/licensed-sports-books-and-operators
https://www.playcolorado.com/history/
https://sbg.colorado.gov/gaming
https://www.playcolorado.com/taxes/
https://sbcamericas.com/2021/09/08/maximbet-lifestyle-sports-betting-brand-goes-live-in-colorado/