When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >
Sports betting is legal in Colorado
Colorado is one of the biggest sports betting states in the US, with 19 different online sportsbooks open for business right now. Our experts have tested out every single sportsbook site in Colorado, and we’ve got details on the best sign-up bonuses for you to claim right here.
Impressive range of bonuses
1 of the world's top sportsbooks
Promo Code WSN365
$1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER 21+ must be physically located in VA. T&Cs Apply.
Free play options
Special contests for newbies
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
21+ | Terms and conditions apply
🔥 Claimed by 144 people this week!
No bet-throughs required
Lots of sport-specific promos
Promo code 'WSN1000'
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
21+ | T&Cs Apply. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
🔥 Claimed by 138 people this week!
Promo Code "WSNMGM"
Boosted parlays with enhanced odds
Impressive range of bets
Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!
21+ | T&Cs apply. *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
🔥 Claimed by 43 people this week!
Great payment and customer support
Access to fantasy sports with one account
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly
21+ | T&Cs apply
Fantastic odds
Easy to use
Impressive range of bonuses
Bet $50, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
21+ | T&Cs Apply
Wide range of betting options
Top notch customer service
Promo Code 'SPORTS'
$500 Bonus Bet
21+ | VA only | Gambling problem? Call 1-800-532-3500
Every piece of information on this page comes from firsthand experience with the sportsbooks in Colorado. We don’t rely on other reviews or press releases. We actually put in the hours to explore every single feature of every single site and present our findings to our readers. We strongly believe that this is the best way to build a comprehensive understanding of an online sportsbook, its bonuses and features, its positives and negatives, and more.
We have a consistent framework for our expert reviewers, too. Each of the following six factors is allocated two hours of research time on each of the following six sections before we start writing:
User Experience - We assess the overall experience of using each site, considering factors like design, aesthetics, beginner-friendliness, and navigation across different sections. Our tests span multiple devices, including laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, to ensure a consistent user experience on all platforms.
Features - We check out every feature on every site. That goes for the most important things, like the different betting markets, but also extras like tips or picking services, side games, loyalty programs, and more.
Promotions - We actually opt-in to every bonus available, both the sign-up offers for new members and the on-running promos. We provide clear instructions for claiming bonuses, as well as any essential information about the small print.
Deposits and Withdrawals - We test out every single payment method available for both withdrawals and deposits. That includes waiting for sportsbooks to mail out paper checks when necessary. Speed, ease of use and transaction fees are all things we consider.
Customer Support - We’ve got a step-by-step process for testing customer support, including asking the same pre-selected questions so we can compare and contrast the responses. We also spend time going through the help section and FAQs to see what they cover and what could be improved.
Responsible Gambling - We want to see sportsbooks that go out of their way to highlight responsible gambling and provide links to external support organizations. Tools like Reality Check and deposit limits are also important.
We have a process to ensure our reviews remain up to date too, with the team dedicating five hours per month to checks and revisions.
To put it simply, we’re experts. Our team is made up of real sports betting fans, all of whom have been betting on sports online for decades. We’ve been there and done that, claimed the bonus, and bought the T-shirt.
Our goal is to use all of our experience and expertise to present our readers with the information they need to know before deciding whether to sign up for an online sportsbook. That includes calling out things we don’t like or that we think could be improved.
Best for: Flexible Welcome Bonus
bet365 is one of the biggest names in sports betting in Europe, with more than two decades in the industry. If you want a tried and tested sportsbook with a flexible sign up bonus, it’s perfect for you.
We always like to see the biggest names in sports betting from other countries make their way to the US, and bet365 is the perfect example of why. The betting software (likely familiar to anyone who has bet in the UK or Europe) is very well designed: slick, detailed and versatile, but without feeling overcrowded. There’s an extra sense of trust from using such a well-regarded and experienced sportsbook that younger sites just don’t generate.
We love the welcome bonus situation at bet365. You can choose between two different bonuses, depending on which one you think will be more valuable to you personally. You can either go for a second chance first bet worth up to $1,000, or get $150 in Bonus Bets off the bat in exchange for a first bet of just $5 when you use the promo code WSN365.
Giving players decision making power over their bonuses is great to see, and it ultimately feels like bet365 is going out of their way to find an offer that works best for you.
Choose your favorite welcome bonuses
Very highly rated mobile apps on both iOS and Android
Free to play pick ’em games with jackpot payouts
Promotions section is hard to find
Not widely available outside of Colorado
Head over to our full bet365 Sportsbook review for more information.
WSN rating: 4.5/5
Sign up offer: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets
App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)
Best for: Mobile Betting
In terms of market share, FanDuel is the most popular sportsbook in the US, and it’s easy to see why. If you want the US public’s favorite sportsbook, choose FanDuel.
FanDuel is leading the way in a lot of areas, but perhaps none more so than mobile betting. The FanDuel Sportsbook app is widely regarded as one of the best out there and is our number-one choice for placing bets with our phones. It’s got ratings of 4.8 and 4.7 on the App Store and Google Play Store respectively, and has been downloaded millions of times. We love it for its clean, intelligent design and how easy it is to place bets on the go.
FanDuel’s welcome bonus is very good, too: a total of $150 in Bonus Bets in exchange for a first bet of just $5, whether your bet wins or loses. It’s a great offer that is genuinely valuable for both beginners, low-stakes players, and higher rollers.
Valuable $150 welcome bonus for just $5
The best mobile in US sports betting
Great ongoing promotions
No live chat support
Loyalty program could be improved
Head this way to read our in-depth FanDuel review for more info.
WSN rating: 4.8/5
Sign-up offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.7/5 (Android)
Best for: Rewards Club
Caesars Sportsbook is the online sports betting partner of one of the biggest names in US gambling. If you want a sportsbook that delivers benefits at real-life casinos around the country, this is it.
Caesars Sportsbook is a very solid all-round sportsbook. The platform is user-friendly, offering various sports, betting markets, and competitive odds. Available throughout the US, it's an excellent option for those seeking an easy-to-navigate site with lots of features.
Where it really stands out, however, is Caesars Rewards. This is the loyalty program that interconnects all Caesars resorts and products so that any time you spend real money on any of them, you earn benefits. For instance, when you accumulate Tier Points and Rewards Points from betting online at Caesars Sportsbook, you can wind up with free stays at Caesars hotels, restaurant or concert tickets, spa visits, and more.
The Caesars Sportsbook welcome bonus is good too: a up to $1,000 second chance bet on your first bet when you first sign up with the promo code WSN1000. You also get some points for the Rewards Program when you sign up, to kick off your account.
Best loyalty program out there
$1,000 Second Chance offer when you sign up
Boosted parlays with enhanced odds
No live chat support
Higher minimum deposits with some payment methods
Head over here to read more in our in-depth Caesars Sportsbook review.
WSN rating: 4.3/5
Sign-up offer: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
App rating: 4.6/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)
Best for: Perks at MGM Resorts
BetMGM is one of the deepest sportsbooks in the US, in terms of the range of bets. If you want the most granular prop betting markets, you’ll find them here.
The sheer variety of betting markets is definitely an area where BetMGM stands out. It’s a dream for anyone who is looking to get very technical with their bets (especially team and player parlays) and for previously beginner bettors who feel like they want to take the next step in their betting journey. The Same Game Parlay tool is great too.
Another massive plus point with BetMGM is the benefits. You can win real-life MGM resorts rewards. Like Caesars, the rewards program is tied to all the hotels and casinos that MGM operates around the country, and the more rewards points you earn online, the better the in-person benefits you stand to receive. There’s a discount for members on all MGM resort stays too.
New players who sign up through our exclusive link can claim a welcome bonus worth $150 in bonus bets when they make a first bet of just $5. Just don't forget to use our promo code WSNMGM for this one.
Great welcome offer
Excellent rewards program and MGM discounts
Great live chat support
On Running promos could be improved
No phone support
We’ve got a lot more in our full BetMGM review here.
WSN rating: 4.4/5
Sign-up offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets! with promo code WSNMGM
App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.2/5 (Android)
Best for: Low deposit limits
DraftKings is an incredible sportsbook, jam-packed with all kinds of interesting features. If you’re a more casual player, its $5 deposit limit makes it an ideal choice too.
There’s a lot going on at DraftKings. Let’s start with the sports and betting markets, which are some of the most extensive and varied in Colorado and include tons of props for the major US sports leagues. The DraftKings Sportsbook platform in Colorado includes lots of extra features that elevate the overall experience, including betting guides and a social platform to connect with other members. Outside of sports betting, there’s also the DraftKings DFS site, as well as poker and casino games in legal states.
DraftKings’ welcome bonus is one of the best in the business too: No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000. DraftKings is one of the only sites out there that lets users make deposits from just $5, so for pretty much the price of a coffee from Starbucks, you can get 8 separate $25 bets when you sign up.
Excellent $1,000 safety-bet welcome bonus
$5 minimum deposit is great for lower-stakes bettors
Tons of interesting features
Live chat support is purely bot-based
The desktop site is quite busy, which could be off-putting for some
You can read our detailed DraftKings review for lots more information.
WSN rating: 4.8/5
Sign-up offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly
App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)
Best for: European and niche sports
Betway has 25 years of experience in the European and UK sports betting industry. If you want a trusted platform that brings some interesting ideas from overseas, it’s a great option.
You can see the influence of its European counterpart in a couple of places on Betway, such as the inclusion of some less US-centric sports like rugby. There is a Betway Boosts section, which gets updated every day with new Odds Boosts. The welcome bonus is solid: a First Bet Reset offer (or second chance bet) worth up to $250 if your first bet loses.
We’re big fans of the design and aesthetic of the platform. The black and green color scheme really pops, and navigating around and browsing the different bets is smooth and enjoyable. We love the Upcoming and Live sections, which show you at a glance how many games are happening in each sport at any given time and make it easier to plan your bets in advance. Maybe best of all, when you click into a sport or game, Betway automatically loads up some statistics about the teams’ recent results, helping your betting strategies in real time. Overall, it’s a very impressive platform.
Slick and modern design
Detailed stats provided for most sports
Great customer support
No loyalty scheme
The $250 limit on the welcome bonus could be higher
Take a look at our detailed Betway review for even more info.
WSN rating: 4.5/5
Sign-up offer: Bet $50, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.2/5 (Android)
Best For: Beginners
BetRivers is a simple and easy to use platform with some excellent on-running promos. If you’re looking for the perfect site for a beginner or more casual player, this is it.
The BetRivers welcome bonus is good, although not quite as valuable as some similar offers out there. You’ll get a second chance bet worth up to $250, which kicks in only if your first bet loses. It’s a good way to remove some of the risk when you first sign up. Promotions and bonuses are a really strong point of BetRiver in general, with lots of offers running for specific sports and matches that get updated all the time, depending on what is most popular. There are daily House Special odds boosts too, which you can see in the sports menu.
BetRivers software is on the simpler side, although it has made some updates in recent times. We like the new addition of Prop Central to the menu, where you’ll find a list of popular upcoming props. The Promotions section of the sportsbook has been converted into a popup menu rather than a standalone page, which is an interesting innovation.
Overall, BetRivers is a simple sportsbook with some great on-running promos.
Beginner friendly
Good ongoing promos
Great customer support options
App could be improved
Upper limit of second-chance bet could be improved
Head over to our full BetRivers review for more information.
WSN rating: 4.1/5
Sign-up offer: $500 Bonus Bet
App rating: 4.4/5 (iOS); 3.4/5 (Android)
The full list of 20 sportsbooks up and running in Colorado is here:
Bally Bet
bet365
Betfred Sports
BetMGM
BetMonarch
BetRivers
Betsafe
Betway
Caesars
Circa Sports
ClutchBet
DraftKings
FanDuel
SBK
Sporttrade
SuperBook
Online Sportsbook | Retail Partner | Mobile App | Online Casino | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bally Bet | Bally's Black Hawk | ✓ | x | May 5, 2021 |
bet365 | Century Casino Cripple Creek | ✓ | x | Sept. 6, 2022 |
Betfred Sports | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | ✓ | x | Setp. 10, 2020 |
BetMGM | Midnight Rose Casino | ✓ | x | May 1, 2020 |
BetMonarch | Monarch Casino | ✓ | x | May 11, 2020 |
BetRivers | McGills Hotel and Casino | ✓ | x | Aug. 18, 2021 |
Betsafe | Dostal Alley Casino | ✓ | x | March 28, 2022 |
Betway | Famous Bonanza Casino | ✓ | x | April 2, 2021 |
Caesars | Lady Luck Casino | ✓ | x | May 1, 2020 |
Circa Sports | Century Casinos | ✓ | x | July 1, 2020 |
ClutchBet | Wild Card Saloon Casino | ✓ | x | April 26, 2023 |
DraftKings | Bally's Black Hawk | ✓ | x | May 1, 2020 |
ESPN Bet | N/A | ✓ | x | Nov. 14, 2023 |
Fanatics Sportsbook | Double Eagle Casino | ✓ | x | Dec. 4, 2023 |
FanDuel | Bally's Black Hawk | ✓ | x | May 1, 2020 |
SBK | Bronco Billy's Casino | ✓ | x | Sept. 23, 2021 |
SI Sportsbook | Colorado Grande | ✓ | x | Sept. 7, 2021 |
Sporttrade | TBD | ✓ | x | Aug.29, 2023 |
SuperBook | The Lodge Casino | ✓ | x | Jan. 7, 2021 |
Tipico | Century Casinos | ✓ | x | Aug. 19, 2021 |
Sportsbook | Retail Partner | Address | Phone Number | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
BetFred Sportsbook | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | 101 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-6100 | June 17, 2020 |
BetMonarch | Monarch Casino Resort Spa | 488 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1000 | Dec. 14, 2021 |
BetRivers Sportsbook | McGills Hotel and Casino | 232 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 689-2446 | May 2022 |
Bronco Sportsbook | Bronco Billy's Casino | 233 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 689-2142 | Sept. 24, 2020 |
Caesars Sportsbook | Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk | 401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (800) 843-4753 | Aug. 15, 2019 |
Caesars Sportsbook | Lady Luck Casino | 340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 998-7777 | July 2020 |
DraftKings Sportsbook | Bally's Black Hawk | 300 Main Street Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-5600 | September 2020 |
Elite Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino | 530 Gregory Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1100 | September 2023 |
SuperBook | Lodge Casino | 240 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1771 | June 23, 2023 |
Woody's Sportsbook | Wildwood Casino | 119 Carbonate Street Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 244-9700 | July 2020 |
Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado. The first sportsbooks went live in May 2020, and the industry has since grown to become one of the most robust in the US. Gambling in Colorado is centered around three mountain towns: Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City. Between them, they house 40 casinos, five poker rooms and a racetrack. There are also ten retail sportsbooks between the mountain casinos and a total of 20 different online sportsbooks available in the state.
Getting set up to start betting in Colorado is very straightforward. Check out our step-by-step guide aimed at beginners below:
Choose a legal and licensed sportsbook. There are lots of offshore sites out there that will accept players from anywhere in the world and promise you the moon and stars in bonuses to boot. Avoid them! They offer no protection for your money or your data, and there is nothing to stop them from taking advantage of you. All of the sites recommended on this page are fully licensed and regulated in Colorado.
Sign up. Whichever sportsbook you choose, the sign-up process is actually fairly similar. You’ll need to provide personal information like your name, date of birth, address and email address, along with some digits from your SSN.
Verify your identity. Depending on your data, you may need to provide additional documentation to verify your identity, like your driver's license or passport. This is a legal requirement in Colorado.
Get your welcome bonus. All sportsbooks in Colorado have sign-up bonuses for new members, so make sure you don’t miss out. Check out our reviews above and use our sign-up links to get the latest offer.
Deposit some money. Colorado sportsbooks support a very wide range of different deposit methods, from bank cards to transfers and e-wallets to cash in the retail sportsbook. Don’t forget that some welcome bonuses require a qualifying deposit to trigger them, so make sure you deposit enough.
Place your bets. Browse through the sports and betting markets and add the bet or bets you want to the digital betslip. You can test out different stakes before clicking the button to confirm. If your bet wins, the winnings will appear in your account almost immediately.
Sportsbook | Sign Up Offer | Promo Code |
---|---|---|
DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly | Click to claim |
bet365 | $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets | Click to claim and use promo code WSN365 |
FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Click to claim |
Caesars Sportsbook | $1,000 First Bet on Caesars | Click to claim and use promo code WSN1000 |
BetMGM | Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets! | Click to claim and use promo code WSNMGM |
Betway | Bet $50, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Click to claim |
BetRivers | $500 Bonus Bet | Click to claim |
The CO sports betting industry is absolutely bursting with bonuses for new players, as twenty different sportsbooks compete to attract betting fans in the state. The table above shows our favorite offers right now.
In this section, I want to run through all the most popular types of welcome bonuses in general, how they work and why you should claim them.
A bonus bet is essentially a voucher you can use to place a bet. If it wins, you only get to keep the winnings, unlike a regular bet where you also receive the value of the stake as part of your payouts. Sportsbooks hand out bonus bets all the time, but they are especially popular as welcome bonuses. Usually, you’ll need to sign up, make a deposit, and place your first bet to trigger your bonus bets, as is the case with DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM
In this case, the sportsbook will refund some or all of your first bet if it loses, in the form of bonus bets or site credit. It’s like an insurance policy that mitigates some risk when you first sign up. These offers can be quite high in value, like Caesars’, which is worth up to $1,000. The downside is that the bonus only kicks in if you lose your first bet. If you’re planning to place one large bet when you sign up, it’s a great offer to give yourself a second opportunity.
These offers are more commonly associated with online casinos, but you can find them at some sportsbooks. Here, the sportsbook matches some or all of your first deposit with bonus bets or site credit. These offers become progressively more valuable the more you are willing to deposit upfront.
Just like it sounds, this is any type of bonus you can claim without having to spend any of your own money. Normally, it comes in the form of a smaller bonus bet, worth around $10 or $20, in exchange for signing up for a sportsbook.
Mobile betting has become the dominant way that people bet on sports in the US, and a high-functioning mobile app is essential for all sportsbooks to complement the desktop site. All of our eight recommended sites in Colorado have mobile apps, which you can download for iOS or Android. Check them out below:
FanDuel - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.7/5 (Android)
DraftKings - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)
bet365 - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)
BetMGM - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.2/5 (Android)
Caesars Sportsbook - 4.6/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)
Betway - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.2/5 (Android)
BetRivers - 4.4/5 (iOS); 3.4/5 (Android)
Colorado is one of the deepest sports betting markets in the US, with twenty different books available to choose from right now. This means a huge range of betting markets are available right now in the Centennial State, and we’re covering the main ones below:
Betting on the moneyline is just about the easiest way to bet. It’s a straightforward prediction of which team or side will win an individual contest. Here’s how it looks:
Green Bay Packers +280
Dallas Cowboys -350
The payout on a moneyline bet is determined by the odds, with the negative odds indicating the favorite and the positive odds showing the underdog. Here, the Cowboys are comfortable favorites, and you would need to bet $350 in order to win $100 for a total payout of $450 if they win. A $100 bet on the Packers would win $280, for a total payout of $380 if your bet was successful.
Betting on the spread is also very popular and somewhat levels the playing field compared with moneyline bets. In this case, you are betting on the margin of victory, not just the winners and losers. The sportsbook sets a spread of points to account for the relative difference in quality between the teams, sort of like a headstart. To win a bet on either side, they must win the game with their spread of points taken into account - or “cover” the spread. Here’s how it looks:
Green Bay Packers (+7.5) -110
Dallas Cowboys (-7.5) -110
The spread is 7.5 points. To win a bet on the Packers, they just need to avoid losing by 8 points or more. Even a 5, 6 or 7 point loss would be enough to win the bet. To win a bet on the Cowboys, they need to win by at least 8 points. The odds with spread bets normally start at -110.
A totals bet, also known as Over/Under bets, is a bet on the total number of points scored in a game. The winners and losers are not important. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can either bet that the total points will be over or under that number, with both sides normally around -110. Here’s how it looks:
Packers vs. Cowboys
Over 50.5 -105
Under 50.5 -110
Props are bets on incidents that happen in a game, especially on the statistical performance of certain players or the team as a whole. They don’t even necessarily have a material impact on the overall result of the game. The most popular prop bets are things like passing or rushing yards in the NFL, layups in the NBA or goals or assists in soccer. You can even make prop bets on things like whether the coin flip will come heads or tails.
A futures bet involves predicting an event or outcome far in advance, rather than focusing on an individual game. Usually, when we talk about futures, we’re talking about the winners of championships like the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup. You can also bet futures on teams making the playoffs and the winners of awards like the NBA MVP or NFL coach of the year.
Futures are often placed at the start of a competition or in pre-season, but they are available throughout the calendar, with the odds changing as the teams progress. For instance, if you bet on the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl before the season starts, you would likely get much better odds than if you waited until they made it to the playoffs.
A parlay is a combination bet. You add multiple bets to the same betslip and to win, all of your selections must be correct. It’s a higher-risk way to bet, but you can get significantly higher payouts. A Same Game Parlay is a type of bet where you combine multiple bets for a single game, such as LeBron James to score 30+ points, Anthony Davis to record a triple-double, and the Lakers to cover the spread.
Also known as in-play betting, this involves betting on games second by second as they happen live. It’s a fast-paced way to gamble, with the odds changing all the time. Some Colorado sportsbooks even let you stream games right there on the platform and provide you with stats and other live updates.
Sports betting in Colorado is subject to the following restrictions:
Betting on politics, including the results of elections, is not allowed.
Betting on awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards is not allowed.
Prop bets on college athletes are not legal.
Yes, betting on college sports is totally legal, including on in-state college teams. This makes Colorado a bit of an outlier: many states, like New Jersey for instance, allow college betting in general but not any teams located within the state. As mentioned above, Colorado does not allow prop bets on college athletes, however.
Colorado has a thriving college sports scene, including the following programs that compete in the NCAA Division 1:
Air Force Falcons
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado State Rams
Denver Pioneers
Northern Colorado Bears
Colorado Sports Betting Quick Facts | |
---|---|
Online launch date | May 1, 2021 |
Legal betting age | 21 |
Retail tax rate | 10% |
Online tax rate | 10% |
Retail sportsbooks | 10 |
Online sportsbooks | 20 |
Betting on College Sports | ✓ |
Online casino | x |
Online poker | x |
Colorado compares very favorably with most states with US sports betting in a number of categories. Colorado is the sixth most lucrative sports betting market in the US, with more than $14 billion in handle and more than $1 billion in revenue generated since sports betting went live. This is even more impressive when you consider that the state is the 21st largest in terms of population, with under six million people living there.
Maryland for instance, has a similar population, but a total handle of $5 billion - although sports betting was only legalized there in 2022.
There are 20 different online sportsbooks to choose from in Colorado, well ahead of the average among states with legal sports betting. The actual betting laws are among the most favorable for consumers, too, and include legal betting on eSports, DFS, and Colorado-based college teams. The tax rate in Colorado is a flat 10% for both online and retail, below the national average in states with legal sports betting. Maryland for instance, is 15%, while Indiana, another state with a similar population to Colorado and a thriving sports betting industry, is similar to Colorado at 9.5%.
All in all, Colorado is a very favorable place to be betting on sports from a consumer perspective.
Colorado sports betting has gone from strength to strength since it launched in May 2020. It’s been an incredibly exciting period for sports betting fans in the Centennial State ever since the landmark Supreme Court decision in 2018. Below, you can see a timeline of the major events that got us to where we are today.
Feb. 21, 2024 - bet365 and SIS Content Services launch fixed odds horse racing in Colorado. This is the first time it has been made available in the US.
Feb. 8, 2024 - Colorado sports betting handle reached $716.4 million in December, a 17.7% increase from November and a 38.3% increase year-over-year.
Feb. 2, 2024 - Betr, a micro-betting company has made a deal with Boulter Developments to gain access to the Colorado market, planning to launch a sportsbook before the 2024 NFL season.
Jan. 26, 2024 - bet365 launches free-to-play fantasy contest in Colorado and four other states, offering a $25,000 prize pool for each upcoming NFL game.
Jan. 5, 2024 - Novig, an online sports betting company, launches in Colorado. Novig currently offers traditional sports betting but aims to become a sports betting exchange in the long term.
Dec. 29, 2023 - Colorado gaming regulators performed an audit that casts doubt on the legality of third-party lottery couriers such as Jackpocket and lotto.com.
Nov. 14, 2023 - ESPN BET goes live in Colorado.
April 5, 2023 - bet365 announces a three-year partnership with the Colorado Rockies.
Sept. 1, 2022 - bet365 launches in Colorado.
June 30, 2022 - Colorado becomes just the seventh state to hit $7 billion in sports betting handle.
April 20, 2022 - Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon becomes an ambassador for MaximBet, becoming the first active MLB player to be sponsored by a sportsbook.
March 17, 2022 - The Colorado Gaming Control Commission finalizes new rules to allow for fixed-odds wagering on horse racing and greyhound racing.
March 1, 2022 - Colorado announces that January 2022 was its record month in terms of sports betting handle, with $573.7 million placed in bets.
Feb. 10, 2022 - One of the biggest names in European gambling, Betsson announces plans to launch in Colorado.
Jan. 26, 2022 - The Australian based BlueBet signs an agreement with Wild Card Saloon & Casino in Blackhawk.
Dec. 31, 2021 - By the end of the year, the total sports betting handle in the state hits $5 billion.
Dec. 17, 2021 - bet365 receives a license to operate in Colorado.
August, 2021 - The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic complicates retail betting, but the online industry continues to grow. Both Barstool Sportsbook and SI Sportsbook launch by the end of the summer.
May 1, 2020 - Sports betting officially launches in CO, with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and BetRivers all going live on the first day.
Nov. 6, 2019 - Proposition DD is passed by just 20,000 votes, confirming the new sports betting laws in Colorado. Online sports betting can go live in Colorado in six months and casinos in the state are invited to apply for licenses.
May 2019 - The bill narrowly passes through the Colorado General Assembly on the last day of the session, and Rep. Garnett signs it into law. Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights means that the new laws are subject to approval via referendum, which is set for the following November.
April 2019 - Rep. Alec Garnett introduces HB1327, which seeks to legalize sports betting in the state. The bill would set the tax rate at 10% for both retail and online, and require online gambling operators to partner with brick and mortar casinos in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek.
May 2018 - the Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amatuer Sports Protection Act, removing the federal ban on sports betting and paving the way for each individual state to create its own sports betting laws.
Yes, DFS is legal in Colorado and has been since 2016. You need to be at least 18 years old to play DFS, and both FanDuels and DraftKings are available in the state.
Colorado is a massive sports state, especially given its relatively small population. In fact, it’s the smallest state by population to have a team in each of the four major leagues in the US. Check them out below:
Denver Broncos - The Broncos were founded back in 1959 and actually played in the first every game of the old AFL before it merged with the NFL. They have won three Super Bowls in their history, as well as multiple conference and division championships.
Denver Nuggets - Led by the talented Serbian Nikoloa Jokic, the Nuggets finally won their first ever NBA championship in 2023. They are one of the most exciting franchises in the NBA right now.
Colorado Rockies - The Rockies are also based in Denver and joined the MLB back in 1995. They have managed one NL Pennant win in their history, but they are also one of only two teams to have never won a single World Series game.
Colorado Avalanche - The Avalanche began life north of the border in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques. They moved to Colorado in 1995 and promptly won their first Stanley Cup that very year, adding two more victories in 2001 and 2022.
Each of Colorado's four major league teams has signed sponsorship agreements with sportsbooks in the state.
bet365 is the official sports betting partner of the Colorado Rockies.
In 2020, PointsBet became the official betting partner of both the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets through a deal with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Following Fanatics' acquisition of PointsBet, it now holds partnerships with both teams.
The Denver Broncos have agreements with three sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM and BetFred. The latter includes a retail sportsbook located at Empower Field at Mile High, known as the Betfred Sports South Lawn Lounge.
Colorado is one of the most robust sports betting markets in the US, and that extends to its commitment to and resources for promoting responsible gambling. You can head to the sports betting section of the Colorado Division of Gaming for detailed information about sports betting in the state and a list of problem gambling resources. Some of the resources include:
You can call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for a 24 hour confidential helpline, either for yourself or on behalf of friends or family.
The Colorado Self Exclusion program, which extends to all legal gambling sites in the state.
You can contact Gamblers Anonymous on 1-855-222-5542, which runs meetings in many locations in Colorado.
In addition, Colorado sportsbooks provide in-house tools to help you manage your spending and promote responsible gambling. They include:
Deposit limits or betting limits can help you stick to a budget.
Reality Check tools which automatically suggest a break after a certain amount of time online.
Cool-Off or Self Exclusion, which lets you temporarily or permanently block yourself from the sportsbook.
Rhianna started her career in iGaming after graduating from the University of Exeter in 2022. She was introduced to the world of iGaming while living in Malta, developing a keen interest in sports and casino betting.
More info on Rhianna Padman
© Rebel Penguin ApS 2024 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)
We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey
Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID
89744,
with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by
the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number
117656-1,
possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account
number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board,
an
interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery
Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director
of
Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a
Vendor
Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our
affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various
sportsbooks.