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Sports betting is legal in Colorado
Legal sports betting officially launched in Colorado on May 1st 2020. The launch comes six months after the state voted through its legalization bill, Proposition DD, in November 2019.
Following the US Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to give each state the authority to legalize sports betting, many states such as New Jersey and Delaware immediately jumped on board and started offering legal betting on sports.
Other states, Colorado included, took a more cautious approach – preferring to take their time and move towards legalization gradually.
Now, almost exactly two years since the Supreme Court decision, the long wait is over for sports fans in Colorado.
Four different sportsbooks launched immediately and an additional 20 have since gained licenses to offer legal sports betting in Colorado.
In this guide we’ll explain everything you to know about CO sports betting including:
We’ll also give the current situation some context with a quick Colorado gambling history lesson and take a look at the state’s favorite sports and teams to get an idea of what the betting action is going to focus on now that legalization has finally come to the Centennial State.
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One our expert betting teams favorite sportsbook, DraftKings has everything you need to bet on in Colorado. They have fantastic odds and lines on every sports betting market you could hope for or imagine.
DraftKings also has the best new user betting promo of any sportsbook in the country right now. It is a choice of either a $1,000 deposit match or a bet of $5 to get $150 in DraftKings betting bonus credits. Sports bettors love choices, and DraftKings is giving them to us.
After signing up and getting a great promo, DraftKings doesn't stop, as they are one of the industry's best at giving users ongoing promos throughout every sports season and playoffs. Not only that, though, using the DraftKings app is so easy and enjoyable that you will see why we rate it so highly.
The top-ranked sportsbook in our review of legal online sportsbooks in the US is FanDuel. It is not hard to see why the FanDuel Sportsbook is simply awesome. The navigation of the site and mobile app, along with the layout, is easy to understand and find what you want.
FanDuel also has some of the very best promos of any sportsbook in the country. The promos don't stop after signing up but go on with daily, weekly, and season-long promo offers for various sports and events. Right now, new users of FanDuel can get 30 times their money when placing their first bet. A $5 bet gets you $150 in FanDuel bonus betting money.
With many banking options and an industry-leading withdrawal speed, FanDuel makes the money side of using a sportsbook as easy as possible. Colorado sports bettors will also find every betting market they are looking for, as FanDuel has great odds on every major sport and many niche sports and events.
If you try FanDuel, you won't be disappointed with the user experience, whether using the desktop site or the mobile app. It is easy to see why FanDuel is the most used sportsbook in America.
Looking to jump in big on your first bet, BetMGM is the place to do it as if you follow our exclusive sign up link you can score a $1,000 first bet. If that first bet loses, you will get back up to $1,000 in BetMGM bonus betting credits.
After signing up, you will find that BetMGM has one of the best live betting platforms of any available Colorado Sportsbook. Users love live betting on BetMGM as it operates smoothly and efficiently, along with finding the games and odds you are looking for comes easy because of the great layout.
Maybe you hit big on one of your live bets, well BetMGM will get you your winnings fast with one of the industry's fastest payout times and many options to choose from when making both deposits and withdrawals.
If the $1,000 first bet offer wasn’t big enough for you at BetMGM or you want another first bet offer. Try Caesars, as you can get a $1,250 first bet when signing up. Follow our exclusive sign-up link and use promo code “WSNFULL” which will ensure you get the best value betting promo.
That is just part of the offer, though as all new Caesars users get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits. Caesars has the best rewards program of any sportsbook in Colorado, with betting bonuses, stays at Caesars resorts, event tickets, gift cards, and more all available when cashing in your rewards points.
Not only is Caesars first bet offer the biggest in the US sports betting marketplace, Caesars also has the best, most competitive odds of any sportsbook. Whether you are betting on the Nuggets to win the NBA Championship or on Colorado and Deion Sanders moneyline upsets, chances are the best value you can get is at Caesars.
Parent company William Hill is a globally recognized and trusted brand, so you know you are safe using Caesars Sportsbook.
When it comes to evaluating sports betting sites in Colorado, there are several factors that are considered, including:
Licensing and Regulation: It is essential for sports betting sites to be licensed and regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming. In Colorado, the Colorado Division of Gaming oversees all legal and regulatory aspects of sports betting.
Range of Sports and Events: Top sports betting sites should offer various betting markets, sports, and events to bet on. It is vital that it includes Colorado bettors' favorite sports like the NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball, and baseball. We ensured that the sites we rated highly have betting markets available for the Nuggets, Broncos, Rockies, and your other favorite Colorado sports teams.
User Interface and Experience: A good sports betting site should have a user-friendly interface and an error-free user experience. This includes making it easy to place bets, navigate the site, have easy access to banking options for deposits and withdrawals, and have fast access to solid customer support.
Quality of Bonuses and Promotions: Sports betting sites often offer bonuses and promotions to attract new customers and retain existing ones. These can include welcome bonuses, free bets, cashback offers, and more.
Payment Methods: Sports betting sites should offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and more. The site should also have a secure payment system to protect customer information.
Customer Support: Good customer support is crucial for any sports betting site. This includes providing a variety of ways to contact customer support, such as email, phone, or live chat, and ensuring that support is available 24/7.
By evaluating these factors and others, WSN experts can determine which online sports betting sites are the best for Colorado residents. However, it's important to remember that individual preferences and experiences may vary.
WSN (World Sports Network) is a trustworthy source of information on all things online sports betting for several reasons. Firstly, WSN is made up of a team of experts with extensive experience in the sports betting industry, which helps provide our users with in-depth knowledge of the sports betting market and valuable, exclusive insights only available on WSN.
Additionally, WSN has conducted hands-on testing of each Colorado sports betting provider and its features, allowing for a thorough review of its performance, reliability, and usability. Moreover, WSN is committed to providing unbiased information to its users, ensuring that our recommendations are based solely on the platform's merits rather than any external factors.
Therefore, WSN is a reliable and credible source of information for anyone seeking to make informed decisions about what Colorado sports betting sites to use.
Online Sportsbook | Retail Partner | Mobile App Availability | Launched in CO |
---|---|---|---|
Bally Bet Sportsbook | Bally's Black Hawk | iOS & Android | May 24, 2021 |
Barstool Sportsbook | Ameristar Black Hawk | iOS & Android | Aug. 9, 2021 |
Bet365 Sportsbook | Century Casino Cripple Creek | iOS & Android | Sept. 1, 2022 |
Betfred Sportsbook | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | iOS & Android | Sept 10. 2020 |
BetMGM Sportsbook | Midnight Rose Casino | iOS & Android | May 1, 2020 |
BetMonarch Sportsbook | Monarch Casino | iOS & Android | May 11, 2020 |
BetRiver Sportsbook | McGills Hotel and Casino | iOS & Android | May 1, 2020 |
Betsafe Sportsbook | Dostal Alley Casino | iOS & Android | Mar. 28, 2022 |
Betway Sportsbook | Famous Bonanza Casino | iOS & Android | Apr. 5, 2021 |
Caesars Sportsbook | Lady Luck Casino | iOS & Android | July 24, 2020 |
Circa Sports Sportsbook | Century Casinos | iOS & Android | July 1 , 2020 |
DraftKings Sportsbook | Bally's Black Hawk | iOS & Android | May 1, 2020 |
Elite Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino | iOS & Android | Aug. 12, 2020 |
FanDuel Sportsbook | Bally's Black Hawk | iOS & Android | May 1, 2020 |
FOX Bet Sportsbook | Lady Luck Casino | iOS & Android | May 19, 2020 |
Play Maverick Sports Sportsbook | Maverick Gaming | iOS & Android | Mar. 16, 2021 |
PlayUp Sportsbook | Bull Durham Casino | iOS & Android | Mar. 8, 2021 |
PointsBet Sportsbook | Double Eagle Casino | iOS & Android | Nov. 18, 2020 |
SBK Sportsbook | Bronco Billy's Casino | iOS & Android | June 4, 2020 |
SI Sportsbook | Colorado Grande | iOS & Android | Sept. 7, 2021 |
Sky Ute Sportsbook | Sky Ute Casino | iOS & Android | June 9, 2020 |
SuperBook | The Lodge Casino | iOS & Android | Oct. 5, 2020 |
Tipico Sportsbook | Century Casinos | iOS & Android | Aug. 18, 2021 |
WynnBET | Bronco Billy's Casino | iOS & Android | Nov. 26, 2020 |
Sportsbook | Retail Partner | Address | Phone Number | Retail Launched |
---|---|---|---|---|
Barstool Sports | Ameristar Casino Black Hawk | 111 Richman St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (720) 946-4000 | Aug. 9, 2021 |
Betfred Sportsbook | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | 101 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (833) 921-1997 | Sept 10. 2020 |
BetMonarch Sportsbook | Monarch Casino Resort Spa | 488 Main Street, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422 | (303) 582‑1000 | May 11, 2020 |
Caesars Sportsbook | Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk | 401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (800) 843-4753 | July 24, 2020 |
Caesars Sportsbook | Lady Luck Casino Black Hawk | 340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 998-7777 | July 24, 2020 |
DraftKings | Bally's Black Hawk North Casino | 300 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-5600 | May 1, 2020 |
Elite Gaming Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino | 530 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1100 | Aug. 12, 2020 |
ISI Sportsbook | Wildwood Casino at Cripple Creek | 119 N Fifth St, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 244-9700 | Jul. 15, 2020 |
Play Maverick Sports Sportsbook | Dragon Tiger Casino | 132 Lawrence St, Central City, CO 80427 | (303) 582-5623 | Mar. 16, 2021 |
Play Maverick Sports Sportsbook | Grand Z Casino | 321 Gregory St, Central City, CO 80427 | (800) 924-6646 | Mar. 16, 2021 |
Play Maverick Sports Sportsbook | Z Casino Black Hawk | 101 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 271-2500 | Mar. 16, 2021 |
SuperBook Sportsbook | The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk | 240 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1771 | Oct. 5, 2020 |
Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado and has been for quite a while now. The Rocky Mountain state is also one of the most diverse and least restrictive states laws-wise. The only thing not allowed betting-wise in Colorado is college prop bets; otherwise, betting markets are wide open.
That's not all, though as Colorado has over 20 available online sportsbooks, meaning the options for what sportsbook to use is almost limitless. Many Colorado bettors do use more than one or at least try another to get all the best promo offers for new users.
The majority of players in Colorado bet online, either using their phones or laptops. In order to do so, you’ll need to sign up for the sportsbook and deposit funds to bet with.
All the top sportsbooks these days make this process extremely easy.
Signing up generally involves a couple of steps. Regardless of which sportsbook you choose, it will probably look something like this:
Choose a unique username and password, and provide your email address.
Give some personal information, including your full name and date of birth.
You’ll need to give your address and possibly some digits from your SSN, which are used to confirm your identity.
You’ll need to confirm you accept the sportsbook’s terms and conditions and confirm the information you’ve provided is accurate.
That’s generally it, and it normally only takes a couple of minutes to complete. You can check out some of our reviews of sportsbooks in other states to get a more complete picture of the sign-up and deposit process.
Alternatively, you will be able to place your bets in Colorado in one of the physical sportsbooks. This is even easier and can be done in cash by talking to the teller in the sportsbook.
Real books also have the added fun of watching games live as you bet with other sports fans.
Sports betting operators are managed by Colorado's Division of Gaming. Legal sportsbooks must comply with the division of gaming, ensuring that CO sportsbooks and betting operations are managed and operating legally. This means that sports betting apps operating in CO are operating legally for any Colorado bettor.
To get started betting on your favorite sports, read up on the links below to get started today:
Sportsbook | Illinois Welcome Offer | Ongoing Promos |
---|---|---|
Barstool | $1,000 deposit match | Primetime Power Hour: Between 7-8 PM ET, Barstool Sportsbook will enhance the price of all 'First TD Scorer' markets available for all of the NFL Primetime Games. Overtime Protection: Receive up to $100 back in Bonus Bets for bets placed on NFL games that go into overtime. |
BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | Refer-a-Friend: Just for referring a friend, each user will get bonus betting money after the friend is verified and meets the initial wagering requirement. NRFI Fridays: Place a No Run First Inning bet on any Friday MLB game. If only one run is scored during the first inning, you’ll get your stake back, up to $25 in Bonus Bets. Odds Boost Token: Use an odds boost token for any MLB game and score 50% extra winnings if your bet wins. |
BetRivers | Second Chance Bet up to $250 | MLB SGP Bet & Get: For every three MLB SGP of $10 or more, users will get a $10 NBA Bonus Bet. Parlay Insurance: Play an MLB, NCAAF, NFL, or Tennis bet of four plus legs and get back up to $25 in bonus bets if one leg loses. NFL Primetime First Touchdown Insurance: Bet on any player to score first and get your bet back if they score. Soccer SGP Bet & Get: Place a three-leg or more Soccer SGP and get a bonus bet up to $25. NCAAF SGP Bet & Get: Place a $25 minimum NCAAF wager and get 25% profit boost. Football Squares: Enter for a chance to win $10,000 in the BetRivers NFL or NCAAF squares contests. Refer-a-Friend: Get $100 free bet for each friend referred |
Caesars | Up to $1,000 First Bet Refund | Caesars Rewards Program: Every bet you place earns you Caesars Rewards Reward Credits®, which can be cashed in for prizes or used for bet credit or other promotions. |
DraftKings | Bet $5 to Get $200 in Bonus Bets or up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus | Refer-a-Friend: DraftKings offers an ongoing referral bonus of $100. Refer a friend and you'll both get $100 in bonus bets. NFL No Sweat Bet: Bet on any NFL game and get a bonus bet equal to the amount of your losing wager.NFL Early Win: Place a minimum of $1 pregame moneyline an NFL game and if your team leads by 7, 10, or a specified number of points at any time, you win the bet. |
FanDuel | Bet $5 to Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Refer-a-Friend: Refer a friend and after they place and settle any bet of $10 or more, you'll both get $50 in bonus betting money. Football Bet Boosts: All throughout the NFL and NCAA Football seasons, FanDuel offers all their users' great ongoing promos from profit boosts, odds boosts, second chance bets, and more. |
PointsBet | Ten $100 second-chance bets up to $1000 | Power Hour: Bonus bets are headed straight to your account every day! Go to your PointsBet app between 6-7 pm ET and use your daily bonus bet. Racing Bonus Bet: Get up to $250 in Bonus Bets when you sign up for PointsBet Racing today using code "PBRACING250". |
As we mentioned previously, there are over 20 online sportsbooks in Colorado, and most have an Android and/or iOS mobile app. There are several we recommend, as they are the best when it comes to things like customer support, odds/lines, banking, user security, promos, and a few other minor details. The top sportsbook we recommend you try first are:
Caesars Sportsbook
bet365 Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
People in CO will be able to bet on all major North American leagues, college sports and other popular leagues and teams from all over the world.
We know that betting on high school sports is not permissible under the new laws, and that although college sports are legal to bet on, proposition bets on college sports are not allowed.
We expect the same massive list of betting options that we’re already seeing in other states that have legal sports betting.
There are also a number of local sports franchises that are sure to attract a ton of betting action. Colorado is home to the:
The state also has teams in lots of other sports and leagues like the NCAA, MLS soccer, the Central Hockey League, rugby, lacrosse and minor league baseball.
People in CO will be able to bet on all major North American leagues, college sports and other popular leagues and teams from all over the world including college basketball, college football.
As mentioned, betting on college sports, including in-state teams in Colorado, is legal. The only minor restriction is that you cannot bet on college prop bets.
As far as teams to bet on that are in Colorado, there are some good options. First off, there is the University of Colorado which, with a coach like Deion Sanders, stays in the headlines constantly. Past them, though, there are quite a few college teams playing at the division one level, the list below shares each in the state:
Air Force Falcons
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado State Rams
Denver Pioneers
Northern Colorado Bears.
Colorado Sports Betting Quick Facts | |
---|---|
Retail tax rate | 10% |
Online tax rate | 10% |
Retail sportsbooks | 12 |
Online sportsbooks | 24 |
Who Can Operate | Casinos, racetracks, Sportsbook Operators, & Pro Franchises |
Betting on College Sports | All is allowed with the exception of no college prop bets |
Colorado Regulator | Colorado Division of Gaming |
The Rocky Mountains is a very desirable sports betting market for operators, and that can be seen as over 20 online sportsbooks are operating in Colorado. The 10% tax rate for operators for retail and online is very reasonable for a state of Colorado's size.
The State boasts many strong professional sports franchises and is a desirable destination for travelers, especially during the winter skiing/snowboarding season. So whether you live in Colorado as a resident or just visiting, you will find an excellent sports betting industry.
The market is not restrictive either; while you can't make college prop bets, all other college sports betting is allowed. The open market in Colorado makes for one of the nation's best sports betting industries; while the population is not as much as in other states, the tax revenue brought in from sports betting has been great for the state's finances.
While some states have a long, drawn-out and varied history regarding sports betting, there haven’t been a ton of events in Colorado that are specific to the state. It’s sufficient to say that sports betting in Colorado wasn’t at the forefront of public discourse until the last year or two.
That being said, there are some quirky laws in Colorado that have affected the sports betting landscape. Let’s take a look at some of the federal activity and state-specific activity that brought us to the current situation in Colorado.
Leading to the federal ban in 1910, gambling was starting to become more popular in the stats. As settlers made their way to the United States, they brought along table and card games for the common citizen to bet on. Often, these gambling setups were unlawful, unregulated and unfair.
There were also a number of lotteries across the United States that were outright scams. These were both problems for decades leading into the 20th century, which led to the Western ban on all types of gambling in 1910.
After the great depression, gambling slowly made its way back into Colorado. In 1933, limited forms of gambling were once again legalized in the state in bars.
In November of 1990, Colorado legislators set their sights on casino gambling and in 1991, the state allowed casinos to be built in three towns: Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City.
All three are considered historical towns. The decision to limit casinos to these three locations was meant to reinvigorate the historic sites and raise money for the state through taxes and regulations.
Legal gambling was on the rise in Colorado but sports betting was never included thanks to a key law passed by the federal government in 1992. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act basically banned sports betting everywhere in the United States save Nevada.
Gambling was only legal in Casinos in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City and a bill was introduced to expand those locations to include racetracks in other parts of the state. It was put to a vote and the proposal lost by a huge margin with 70% of voters objecting.
Almost exactly two years after PASPA was repealed, sports betting is finally legalized and Colorado prepares to book it’s first sports bets.
Colorado has already legalized access to daily fantasy sports betting sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel. The legislation came down on June 10th, 2016, and specifically made betting on DFS in Colorado legal.
Fantasy sports betting is available for betting on the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL but does not include NCAA college sports.
While some people won’t like the monopolized aspect of having only two options available, the reality is that these are your best options until other websites can be legalized and approved by the state. We do not recommend using illegal websites for daily fantasy sports betting.
With a pro sports team in each of the four major sports leagues in the US, there are several noteworthy partnerships between Colorado teams and sportsbook operators. They include:
Colorado is a legal sports betting state, and the Colorado Division of Gaming takes problem gambling seriously. The CDG aims to help each of its residents and provide multiple resources for anyone with a problem gambling issue.
The Colorado sports betting industry is one of the very best markets in the entire US. Any bettor, whether a resident of Colorado or a visitor to the state, will find they have plenty of options for sports bettors and a ton of excellent betting promos.
Each of the major sports teams also has a sportsbook partner, which makes attending games more exciting, and several have in-house sports betting options for their fans. Overall, it is tough to find a better sports betting market than Colorado.
Here are answers to the New Jersey sports betting questions we’re asked most frequently:
Yes, sports betting in Colorado was legalized on May 1, 2020, for all sports, with the exception of esports and high school sports.
You must be at least 21 years old to legally place a bet in Colorado.
No, but you must be within Colorado state lines to place a bet.
Colorado’s new sports gambling laws allow wagering on all pro and most collegiate sports.
Betting on high school sports and esports not sanctioned by a sport’s governing body is not allowed in Colorado. Betting on college sports is legal, but somewhat restricted. Prop bets are not allowed.
All sports betting proceeds are taxed at 10% in the state of Colorado.
Right now, 24 different sportsbooks have opened for business in Colorado. A number of additional operators have already announced partnerships with physical casinos, meaning we can expect more sportsbooks to open up soon.
Yes, DraftKings launched their sportsbook in Colorado on May 1st, 2020.
I am a huge sports fan; locally, many know me as the guy who does the PA for our high school football team on Friday nights. Having grown up in Michigan, I am a sports fan of all the Detroit teams, and at the college level, I love Michigan State sports.
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