Online and retail Colorado sports betting has been legal since 2020. With 20 online sports betting sites and mobile apps, and 13 retail locations, residents have a variety of options to choose from.
Here's the latest Colorado sports betting promos from what we voted as the best sportsbooks in Colorado:
Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado. Voters approved the legalization of both retail and online sports betting in a referendum carried out during the November 2019 election. Sports betting legislation then came into immediate effect and the industry launched in May of 2020.
When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on single-event sports wagering in 2018, this gave individual states the power to pass their own legislation on sports betting. One of the first to take advantage of the ruling and since launching, Colorado sports betting apps and its regulated market have become one of the busiest and most competitive in the United States.
In April 2019, Colorado Rep. Alec Garnett introduced HB 1327 that would allow for a ballot measure giving voters their say on the legalization of both mobile and retail sportsbooks in Colorado.
A month after the bill was passed by lawmakers, Gov. Jared Polis signed it into law. All that was left now was for the electorate to decide the bill’s fate.
Colorado Proposition DD is passed by the electorate in a voter referendum. This meant that the bill would go into effect in six months. In the meantime, the state’s 33 casinos could apply for licenses to offer retail and online sports betting.
Six retail sportsbooks and six online sportsbooks launch as Colorado’s regulated sports betting market gets underway.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission gave the green light to a sports betting rules alteration that allows sportsbooks to offer fixed-odds wagering on horse and greyhound racing for an initial trial period of 18 months.
Speaker of the House Alec Garnett introduces legislation that would allow for the funding of responsible gambling programs in Colorado.
Both the Senate and House pass the "Responsible Gaming Grant Program" bill and it is signed into law.
The Colorado Office of the State Auditor carries out an audit of the sports betting industry. This reveals some serious failings on the part of the Colorado Division of Gaming. One of the main concerns is insufficient background checks on sports betting license holders.
The rules here are either common sense or they are there to protect bettors and sportsbooks – but they could be both. Read these over before you begin sports betting in Colorado.
Sports betting is a thriving industry in the state of Colorado and one that is constantly evolving. This is great news for CO sports bettors as it means that regulations, rules and laws are always under intense scrutiny. For example, in recent months, the state government has introduced and passed into law the Responsible Gaming Grant Program. This allows support and research groups to seek funding for their programs if those programs help toward creating a positive gaming environment and encourage responsible gaming.
When it comes to scrutiny of the regulation of the industry, the state government is extremely vigorous. A recent audit carried out by Colorado's Office of the State Auditor revealed that there were some issues with how the industry is regulated. As a result, there will likely be some changes to how license holders are approved, plus other regulatory procedures. This oversight of the regulator offers assurance to bettors that the state government does all it can to protect its residents.
State laws on sports betting are quite complex for operators but rather simple when it comes to Colorado bettors. For example, here are some key rules everyone must know when betting on sports in Colorado.
While some users may think this is a rule implemented by sports betting operators, it’s actually state law. It is perfectly acceptable to have accounts at several different online sportsbooks, but you can only have one account at each of these. If you are found to have multiple accounts at one sportsbook, you are breaking the law and the accounts will be closed.
This is a fairly well-known rule, but what some don’t realize is that you also need to prove your age and identity. This can be done by providing your Social Security number or a valid form of identification. Not only does this ensure that you are the legal age for sports betting, but also that you are not opening multiple accounts at a single sportsbook.
Alongside proof of age, sportsbooks must have the residential address, phone number, full name, e-mail address, social security number and date of birth of all customers. These are all legal requirements.
All users must be warned of the dangers of problem gambling and encouraged to gamble responsibly. This means online sportsbooks must provide detailed information of how to place limits on gambling and how to access those tools.
Users can fund their account by using a credit or debit card, online transfer, promotional credits, cash at a participating retail partner or any of several other methods approved by the regulator. They cannot transfer funds from their account to another user’s account.
All Colorado bettors must be physically located in the state if they wish to place a wager at a Colorado sportsbook. Even if they are a resident of the state and have a valid account but are across state lines, they cannot place sports bets at a Colorado sportsbook. Of course, if the state where they are has legal sports betting, they can be there.
Colorado sportsbook staff cannot place wagers on behalf of users at either retail sportsbooks or through mobile sports betting apps.
All sports bets are subject to state and federal taxes. The Colorado income tax rate is 4.4%. The federal tax rate is 24%.
All gaming in Colorado is overseen by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. This is a five-member regulatory body (appointed by the Governor) that meets on a regular basis and is seen as the final authority on all things related to licensed gaming in the state. This includes the adoption of rules and regulations, the final approval of license holders, and any alterations to gaming tax rates.
The Colorado Division of Gaming operates under the supervision of the Department of Revenue and works alongside the CLGCC. It is responsible for implementation of the commission’s decisions and the general day-to-day running of the gaming industry.
The Colorado Division of Gaming is seen as the chief regulator of the state’s sports betting operations. As noted earlier, the Division works closely with the CLGCC to oversee sports betting and is mainly responsible for the following:
As of September 2023, there are 20 Colorado online sportsbooks and 13 retail sports betting locations throughout the state. As mentioned earlier, some of the biggest brands, such as Barstool Sportsbook, Betfred, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Maverick Sports and SuperBook offer retail and online sportsbooks in Colorado. Colorado sports betting law has approved the following online sportsbooks, many of which have perks that I think separate them from the rest.
With sports betting legal in Colorado, operators located in the United States were allowed the opportunity to become licensed and legal to operate in the state. Here is the complete list of licensed and legal Colorado sportsbooks:
With nearly two dozen options to choose from, you certainly will find a couple that fit your eye and your style of play. It is best practice in sports betting to have more than one account, and there are a number of promotions available in Colorado you can use when you sign up. It allows you to take advantage of multiple promotional offers and lets you shop for odds.
As we mentioned earlier, sportsbook options in Colorado are nothing short of incredible. But it's important to note that while both the retail sportsbook and online betting are similar, there are some differences in terms of bonus bets and promotions.
For example, bonus bets and promos for prop bets, etc., are much more varied at online sportsbooks than they are at Colorado retail sportsbooks. However, if you want to watch a live game, you'll have a better atmosphere visiting one of the many physical sportsbooks in Colorado.
As of September 2023, there are 20 CO online sports betting sites live throughout the state, making it the most expansive and competitive online sports betting market in the United States. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best in the market.
DraftKings
DraftKings Colorado is the market leader in sports betting across the United States, with only FanDuel coming close in terms of sports betting handle. The app has a simple and extremely user-friendly interface, and offers a wide range of sports to bet on. It offers a great bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets + $150 in No Sweat Bets but falls a little short on the regular promotions for existing users. Even so, its competitive odds and range of sports make it a shoo-in for the best sports betting app in Colorado.
Caesars Sportsbook
One of the biggest names in casino gaming, it’s no real surprise that Caesars sportsbook has started to excel in the Colorado sports betting market. While its platform may not be quite as slick as DraftKings' excellent app, the Caesars rewards program is second to none. You even can redeem your loyalty points at brick-and-mortar Caesars casinos. Add to that the incomparable $1,000 First Bet on Caesars and this comes in a very close second to DraftKings.
BetMGM
The range of sports gambling markets available at BetMGM Colorado is one of the best in the industry. The online sportsbook has a wonderfully intuitive bet slip that makes creating parlays and figuring out potential winnings a dream. The edit my bet feature is also a pretty nifty one that allows you to change parts of your bet even after you have placed it. While the interface may not be as easy to manage for new users as the DraftKings' interface, the first bet offer up to $1,500 makes the slight learning curve worth it.
New users also have the choice of a Bet $10, Get $200 in bonus bets offer if they prefer that over the first bet offer. Be aware, however, you can only claim one of the welcome bonuses and they cannot be combined. Both are great offers and the one you choose will depend on your wagering style. The bet-and-get offer is perfect for bettors of any level while the first bet offer may be better suited for more experienced bettors with a larger bankroll.
FanDuel
No sports betting operator in the state wants to bring you in for football season more than FanDuel Colorado does. Currently they're offering a great 40X return on your first wager – Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets. Take advantage today and create some magic this fall sports season.
ClutchBet
Australian online bookmaker BlueBet Holdings launched its B2C brand ClutchBet in Colorado in April 2023, in partnership with The Wild Card Saloon & Casino. The online sportsbook is active in two states, with more expected as it seeks to expand its U.S. presence.
Betsafe
In March 2022, Swedish online gambling giant Betsson launched its Betsafe online sportsbook in Colorado. The brand is partnered with Dostal Alley Casino. The company originally had signed the deal in 2020, but spent the better part of two years ensuring that it was up to code for a Colorado launch.
bet365
Hugely successful British online bookmaker bet365 first signed a 10-year agreement with Century Casinos in 2020 allowing it to launch its Colorado online sportsbook in 2022. The bet365 sportsbook is currently working hard to expand its presence in the U.S. and this sleeping giant is available in four states.
According to Colorado gaming legislation, all 33 casinos in the state are allowed to operate retail casinos and mobile sportsbooks through partnership agreements. However, as of September 2023, only 13 have taken up the option to open physical sportsbooks in Colorado for in-person betting. As there is no deadline on applications for licenses, this could change.
With so many Colorado sports betting options available, picking the best one isn’t easy. However Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino gets consistent high-scoring reviews from regular sports bettors.
Ameristar is one of the most popular casinos in the state, so it comes as no surprise that the owners have partnered with one of the leading retail sportsbook operators in the U.S. According to reviews, this place has friendly staff and competitive odds, and it’s a great spot to catch a game.
Colorado is a sports-crazy state with a seemingly endless list of professional and amateur teams that locals cheer on. But it’s the professional teams that generally draw bettors to the sportsbooks.
Below are some of the most popular sports available for wagering to Colorado gamblers through the state’s many online and retail sportsbooks. Bear in mind that this is only a sample – check out sportsbooks directly if you are looking for a specific sport.
The NFL is one of the most popular Colorado sports, and with good reason. While the Broncos have not been in the Super Bowl conversation recently, they have lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy three times and have won the AFC Championship eight times.
The Broncos have signed multiple Colorado partnership agreements with sportsbook operators, including FanDuel, BetMGM and Betfred. Odds on Broncos games can be found at each and every sportsbook and online sports betting platform in Colorado without exception. Specials which could see enhanced odds for certain bets or the chance to win fan experiences also can be found at the team’s partners. A couple ideal futures options you can take advantage of include betting on the Broncos playoff chances and the Broncos Super Bowl odds.
Once the NBA season is underway, you can be guaranteed that action at local sportsbooks is fierce, with great odds and special parlays available for the majority of regular season games. Of course, local bettors always back the Denver Nuggets and that faith finally paid off in May 2023 when the Nuggets defeated Miami Heat to claim their first NBA Championship.
The Nuggets’ sports betting partner is PointsBet, the Australian online bookmaker that was recently acquired by Fanatics. As you may have guessed, betting on the Denver Nuggets is pretty easy with most sportsbooks offering special bets on Nuggets games throughout the season. This included some great value offers throughout the Championship series in 2023, particularly at PointsBet.
The Colorado Rockies have never won a World Series and the only time they made it to the series, they were swept away by the Boston Red Sox. So while betting on the Rockies is popular, you’ll find that once the playoffs roll around, it’s about out-of-state teams.
Looking to build on its U.S. presence, bet365 recently signed a deal to become the official sports betting partner of the Colorado Rockies. Starting in 2023, this deal will run for an initial three-year period. To celebrate the deal, bet365 offered new users in Colorado an impressive $365 bonus for depositing $10 and placing a $1 wager. We expect to see more tailored Rockies offers at the sportsbook over the coming months.
The Colorado Avalanche are the only active team in the NHL to win all of its Stanley Cup Appearances. That’s an impressive stat, so it’s no surprise that NHL betting is pretty big here in Colorado. The most recent win is pretty fresh in the memory, coming in the 2022 season when the Avalanche beat the Tampa Bay Lightning to clinch its third championship.
PointsBet is the official sports betting partner of the Colorado Avalanche following a deal that saw the Australian bookmaker also become the partner of the Colorado Rapids of the MLS and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. Betting on the Avalanche is relatively simple, as all sportsbooks in the state carry odds for all NHL games.
Colorado is one of several states that allows betting on college football - and all college sports - that involve in-state teams. There are a number of Colorado college sports teams to bet on from the Colorado Buffaloes to the Air Force Falcons. There is one restriction, however, when deciding on legal sportsbooks to bet on; individual proposition wagers are not allowed on any college sports.
The pace of progress in the legal sports betting industry in Colorado is relentless. Are Colorado online casinos soon to follow? What other online sports betting apps could hit the market soon? All questions you have and time and technology progresses. Our news carousel is the best place for Colorado sports bettors to stay up to date with developments.
Anyone betting on sports in Colorado are fully protected by state laws with regard to both consumer rights and gaming regulations and restrictions.
Yes, all winnings from any form of gambling must be declared as an income in Colorado. This means winnings from sports betting are subject to the standard income tax rate of 4.4%. This is payable on all sports betting winnings no matter how big or small. It’s also worth noting that this is only the state tax rate. Federal income taxes must also be paid on any winnings at a rate of 24%.
If, for example, you won $1,000 on the Denver Broncos making the playoffs, you’d have to pay $44 in state taxes and $240 in federal taxes.
Colorado sportsbook operators are obliged to report gambling winnings over a certain threshold. At the time of writing, this threshold is $600 for sports betting. Once you hit that threshold, the operator must issue a W-2 G that you must fill out. The W-2 G form is held for the IRS and your yearly tax return will be cross-referenced against any W-2 Gs held by sportsbooks to ensure that you have declared all your winnings as income and have paid the required taxes.
The Colorado state government takes responsible gaming very seriously and has strict guidelines for each and every sports betting and gambling operator in the state. All sportsbook providers must offer tools and features that allow gamblers to gamble responsibly. These includes self-exclusion programs and limits for deposits, spending and losses, among others.
The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado also works closely with the Colorado Gaming Association to offer a voluntary self-exclusion program. This is available for all gamblers and can apply to both retail and online Colorado sports betting industries.
Here are some useful resources and contact information for responsible gambling support in Colorado. This information should be available on all Colorado sports betting sites.
Colorado Gamblers Anonymous – The group provides information for those with gambling problem including local meetings and support groups.
Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado - Coalition provides educational and treatment options for gamblers in Colorado.
The Colorado state government recently approved the "Responsible Gaming Grant Program" bill that would set aside a portion of all gambling taxes for responsible gaming measures and initiatives.
In addition, the Department of Gaming sets out strict rules and consumer protections designed to ensure that sports bettors are protected at all times. This includes a rigorous vetting process for all license holders so bettors know that they are gambling at a safe and reliable sportsbook.
It’s also possible for bettors to file a sports betting patron complaint with the Division of Gaming. Once the complaint is filed, the Division of Gaming will look into your complaint and launch a full investigation if required.
Colorado is perhaps one of the easiest states to get started with sports gambling as there are so many options available from which bettors can choose. And while retail sports betting is hugely popular here, we’ll focus on Colorado sports betting sites and mobile options for this section.
One of the best tips you’ll ever get for successful sports wagering in Colorado is to always shop around. Now, you may think that this means shopping around for the best welcome bonus and, while this is a good tactic, it’s not all you should be doing. We actually recommend that bettors take full advantage of multiple welcome bonuses and open accounts with several sportsbook platforms.
The idea here is not just to get the most value for money through those welcome bonuses but to also give yourself options. For example, if you decide to back the Denver Nuggets to retain their NBA Championship, you may find that odds can vary a bit from one sportsbook to the next. You may also find that the likes of PointsBet (the Nuggets official sports gambling partner) may have some special deals on this type of wager.
The key here is to remember that just because you are a customer of one sportsbook doesn’t mean that you cannot be a customer of others. Always look for value and always wager only what you can afford to lose.
BetColorado.com is an independent sports betting comparison website with affiliate links. What that means is if you click on one of our links that directs to an operator and you make a deposit, we’ll receive commission payment at no extra cost to you. Our operator reviews and recommendations for Colorado sports betting apps and more are impartial as our editorial standards are commercially independent and follow a professional methodology.
All licensed Colorado online sports betting operators should have a strong commitment to responsible gambling.
Every CO sports betting site should feature a prominent responsible gambling section containing a wealth of advice about how to keep your wagering under control.
This should include links to agencies, such as the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado and the National Council on Problem Gambling, that can offer expert help and support.
Yes, sports gambling is legal in Colorado following a voter referendum held in November 2019 which allowed casinos to apply for in-person and online sports betting licenses. Following the vote, both the retail and online sports betting industries launched in May 2020.
Sports gambling is legal in Colorado since November 2019, when voters approved a bill that went into effect the following May. This allowed casinos to apply for licenses to launch both retail and mobile sports wagering. The Colorado sports betting industry launched in May 2020.
According to Colorado sports betting rules and regulations, all bettors must be 21 or older to place wagers at either retail or online sportsbooks in Colorado. It is illegal for anyone under the minimum age to place wagers on sports in any way whatsoever.
Yes, you can bet on sports online and in person in the state of Colorado. As of September 2023, there are 20 online sports betting websites and apps licensed to operate in the state. Additionally, there are 13 in-person retail sportsbooks.
Colorado residents must pay a flat rate of 4.4% on all sports wagering winnings. This is regardless of how big or small the winnings are. This is a state tax only. Federal taxes also must be paid, at a rate of 24% on all winnings.
No, you do not have to be a resident of Colorado to wager online, but you must be located within the state to place wagers at an online sportsbook. Mobile sportsbooks in Colorado make use of geolocation technology to ensure that all bettors are within state lines.
Laws for and regulations regarding Colorado sports betting are implemented and enforced by both the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and the Colorado Division of Gaming. The Division of Gaming works under the state Department of Revenue.
Yes, you can bet on sports in Colorado. State voters made sports gambling legal in November 2019, and the Colorado sports betting industry went online in May 2020. Colorado is one of the most active states for sports betting, with nearly two dozen operators in the state as of September 2023.
Yes, you can place wagers online if you are on vacation in the state of Colorado. The state’s sports wagering rules stipulate that any bettors must be physically present in the state but they do not require that you are a resident.
Yes, mobile sports betting is allowed in Colorado. Mobile sports betting began in the state in May 2020. Colorado is closing in on having two dozen operators up and running as of September 2023. Mobile sports betting relies on geolocation to ensure that you are within state lines.
Author
Ciaran has written for both the sports betting and iGaming industries for over a decade. He is a true sports fanatic, and he covers a wide range of sports and online casinos in Ontario for BetColorado.com, but his first love will always be soccer.
