Colorado Online Gambling

Colorado is one of the growing numbers of states that have legal online gambling. With the passing of Proposition DD in 2019, sports gambling became legalized, and the first legal bet was made on May 1, 2020. Now the state has two dozen online sportsbooks, including many of the biggest names in the gaming industry.

When Proposition DD passed, the state already had organizations in place to protect Colorado residents. From various regulations for online gaming and places to help people with gambling issues, the state covered all the bases to make sure gaming within the state is safe for its residents.

In this extensive review of online legal gaming in Colorado, we have looked at all the operators that launched their sports betting platforms. Since they are all regulated and licensed, you can be sure that all of the bookies are 100% safe and secure to play at.

You can continue to read this review to see what type of gambling is legal in the Centennial State. You can also see other things such as how the sportsbooks are licensed, why play at a Colorado gaming site, what to look for in a good gaming site, and other important aspects of legal online gambling in Colorado.

Types of Legal Online Gambling in Colorado

In Colorado, online sports betting and online daily fantasy sports (DFS) betting are legal. Online poker and online casino gambling are not permitted in the state.

Sports Betting

Legal sports betting started on May 1, 2020, and each of the retail casinos in Colorado can apply for a license to have online and retail sports betting. While sports betting is now legal, it was not an easy process; as Proposition DD, the Legalize Sports Betting with Tax Revenue for Water Projects measure, only passed by a 51-48 margin. There are currently 24 online sportsbooks out of 33 possible licenses, so there is still room for the market to welcome more operators.

The 24 online sportsbooks currently available in Colorado are:

• Bally Bet
• Barstool Sportsbook
• BetMonarch
• bet365
• Betfred
• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• Betsafe
• Betway Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Circa Sports
• ClutchBet
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• Elite Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• FOX Bet
• Maverick Sports
• PlayUp
• PointsBet Sportsbook (* future Fanatics Sportsbook)
• SI Sportsbook
• Smarkets
• SuperBook Sports
• Tipico Sportsbook
• WynnBET

Online Casinos and Online Poker in Colorado

In Colorado, online casino gambling is not legal, nor is online poker. While the state was relatively progressive in sports betting, that has not been the case for online casino gambling. While there has not been any talk about legalizing online casino gambling, that may change in the future, this is especially the case since online sports betting has brought the state significant tax revenue.

There are nearly 40 retail casinos in Colorado. They include commercial and tribal facilities.

Daily Fantasy Sports

With the passing of H-1404 in 2016, DFS became legal in Colorado, becoming the fifth state to legalize it. As of 2023, there were 34 operators for DFS live in the state, including:

• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• PrizePicks
• Yahoo

Why Choose a Legal Colorado Online Gaming Site?

The main reason to choose a legal Colorado gaming site is the site will be regulated by a legitimate gaming body and carry a recognized license. That means there will be fair policies and procedures for online gaming in the state, which is advantageous for you.

Playing at a licensed gaming site in Colorado is 100% legal, safe, and secure — the same cannot be said of offshore gaming sites.

The gaming regulatory agencies also ensure that the sites give their players the correct information regarding things such as setting odds for sports wagers, offering bonuses and promotions, VIP/loyalty programs, and banking information.

They also ensure that the gaming sites are transparent in showing customers all the measures taken to make them feel safe playing there. You can find this info in the “privacy policy” link at gaming sites in Colorado.

Another reason to play at a legal gaming site is that they must have measures in place to protect customers’ personal and financial data. They are required not to give any of that type of info to third parties.

The sites use encryption technology such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). Also, sites are required to verify the identity of their players to make sure they are of gambling age. All of the sites in the state also have information regarding responsible gaming.

It is beneficial for the state itself for players in the state to play at legal gaming sites. Colorado is a little unique, as there are no taxes on winnings. The state takes 10% of the profits from online sportsbooks, and that is the tax revenue.

Some of the tax money goes into what is known as a harmless fund where entities such as community colleges, counties and cities that have retail casinos, and the state’s historical society can apply for money for various projects.

However, in Colorado, most of the money from online sports betting goes to water conservation and storage projects. $130,000 of the tax revenue is allocated to gambling addiction services.

How to Know If a Colorado Online Gaming Site Is Legal, Regulated, and Safe

Here are the things to look for at a Colorado online sportsbook to ensure it is legal, regulated, and safe.

• Regulatory Agency — All legitimate sportsbooks in Colorado are licensed and regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming. You will either see their seal on the site, or at the bottom of the landing page, you will see that gaming body mentioned and other licensing information such as the license number.
• Land-Based Partner — In Colorado, the online sportsbook must be partnered with a retail casino in the state.
• Jurisdiction — A legit sportsbook will want you to play at their site within the state; as for the legal operators, you will not be able to make wagers outside of the state borders. Often the sites that are available in Colorado are also available in other states. For example, at BetMGM, they have the main sportsbook page that shows you, in linked boxes, all the states they operate in. If you click Colorado, you will be directed to that site where it is legal to play when you are in the state.
• Recognizable Name — All legitimate Colorado online sportsbooks are pretty big games in the online gaming industry. If you have not heard of the site, do a little research to see if they are licensed by the Colorado Division of Gaming and have a land-based casino partner. You can be sure that big games in the industry such as BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel, just to name a few, will have safe and legal sportsbooks.
• Transparency — Legit sportsbooks will be very transparent in the measures taken to ensure player safety. The ones in Colorado will have a privacy policy link spelling these measures out and also have other procedures such as having clear terms and conditions for bonuses and promotions and how the site deals with the data, both personal and financial, that you have to give them.
• Customer Service — A legit sportsbook will have a solid customer service department that can be easily reached. The legal ones in Colorado have solid customer service via live chat, e-mail, and phone support. If you want to make sure the site is a legal one, you can contact the customer service department and ask them to give you licensing information, as well as asking them which retail casino they are partnered with.

Essential Information in Choosing an Online Gaming Site in Colorado

You want the best gaming experience possible when you play at a Colorado online sportsbook. You want to know what the site can offer you and what you can expect from there when playing at their site. Here are some things to look for when you are looking to join a Colorado online sportsbook.

Colorado Online Gambling Welcome Bonuses

All of the Colorado online sportsbooks offer a welcome bonus to entice new players to the site. A welcome bonus typically will come in free bets or a match on your first deposit. A welcome bonus is a great way to get to know the site and what they offer, as well as padding your bankroll. However, all welcome bonus offers will have wagering requirements, and you need to make sure you know them before opting into it.

Colorado Sports Betting Promotions

Colorado sportsbooks offer a welcome bonus to entice new players and offer bonuses and promotions to existing players to keep them playing at the site. Promos can be sports-specific, leaderboards for tournaments, parlay insurance, and reload bonuses, to name just a few. You should regularly check a sportsbook’s promo page to see what you can get from the site.

Loyalty/VIP Programs for Colorado Players

Most Colorado sportsbooks will offer a VIP program where the more you wager on the site, the more benefits you can receive. Typically in a VIP program, loyal players are awarded points the more they wager, and there is usually a tiered program where the higher tier you are in, the more rewards you get. You should always check out if there is a type of VIP program, especially if you plan on wagering on the site often.

Colorado Mobile Gaming

They will offer a sportsbook app for legit Colorado sportsbooks, or you can play the mobile version from your browser. Through mobile gaming, you will be able to bet on sporting events and take care of deposits and withdrawals, check out and opt into bonuses and promotions, and contact customer service. Mobile gaming is for iOS and Android users and is optimized to give a great gaming experience through your device.

Sports Offered and Betting Markets

You always want to pick a Colorado sportsbook that offers many sports to wager on and many betting markets. All of the CO sites will provide a solid number of sports to bet on, and they will offer all the popular sports and niche ones such as badminton and cricket. You also want to take advantage of all the bet types available, from moneylines and totals to parlays and live betting. The more bet types available, the more options you have when it comes to wagers to make.

Colorado Gaming Regulator Information

The Colorado Division of Gaming licenses and regulates all of the sportsbooks in the state. You need to be aware that to be a legal CO sportsbook, they need to be licensed and regulated by this state government-run gaming body. If a site is licensed, it shows you that the bookie is legal and is up to the standard of the Colorado Division of Gaming.

The Colorado Division of Gaming will ensure that the sportsbook treats their customers well, is safe to play at, protects player data, and gives players service information for problem gambling. All of the sportsbooks in the state have a responsible gaming link that can steer players to get help if they need it.

In terms of safety, the Colorado Division of Gaming is also on top of making sure the state’s sportsbooks have measures to protect their customers’ personal and financial data.

If a player has an issue with the sportsbook, they should contact them directly. If the problem persists, you can contact the Colorado Division of Gaming. There are three locations for the CDG with mailing addresses and phone numbers for each. There are also the email addresses for:

General questions:
[email protected]

Rulemaking inquiries:
[email protected]

Sports Betting applications & materials:
[email protected]

History of Colorado Online Gambling Legislation

In Colorado, DFS online wagering became legal in 2016, and online sports betting became legal in 2019, and the first sports bet was legally made May 1, 2020.

• DFS legislation: H-1404 (2016)
• Online Sports Betting legislation: Proposition DD, the Legalize Sports Betting with Tax Revenue for Water Projects (2019)

Colorado has a rich history of gambling being part of the wild west. Nowadays, all of the types of gambling in the Centennial State are:

• Commercial and tribal casino gambling
• Retail and online sports wagering
• Retail online Colorado state lottery
• Online and retail Pari-mutuel horse race betting
• Off-track betting (OTB) locations for simulcast horse racing
• Bingo and other types of charitable gaming

Responsible Gaming Resources in Colorado

One of the things that the Colorado Division of Gaming is tasked with is ensuring safe and entertaining online gaming. They take efforts to ensure responsible gaming and do this with various tools such as:

Having an age limit of 21 and over to keep minors from gambling.
Having exclusion lists to allow players to have a self-ban for online and retail gambling.
Giving people access to gambling addiction services.

Gambling Limits

At the Colorado sportsbooks, players can set gambling limits to decrease the chance of problem gambling. The things of this nature that you will encounter at the sites are:

• Deposit Limits — Limits the amount that you can deposit into the sportsbook account.
• Betting Limits – Limits the amount you can wager.
• Time Alerts — You can be notified how long you have been playing at the site.
• Time Restrictions — Restricts the time you can be on the site to make wagers.
• Self-Exclusion — You can set a time you can be excluded from betting at the sportsbook, and often you can set this for weeks, months, or a year.

Gambling Problems

Gambling is a form of entertainment, but it can be addictive as well. The Colorado Division of Gaming works with the sportsbooks in the state to make sure that people have access to services if they think they have a gambling problem. These services can help people and are the next step after the gambling limits touched on just above.

The Colorado sportsbooks all have a Responsible Gaming link, and they will have information on how to spot a gambling problem and resources that can help. Here are some of them:

• Problem Gambling Hotline (24/7) – 1-800-522-4700 or visit http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org/.
• Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado – http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org/
• National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org — hotline 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous – https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ – You can find Colorado locations for GA meetings on the website.

Land-based Gambling Available in Colorado

Here are all of the land-based casinos in Colorado with their address and website links:

Ameristar Black Hawk – 111 Richman St, Black Hawk, 80422
Bull Durham Casino – 110 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Golden Gates Casino – 261 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Golden Gulch Casino – 321 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk – 401 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk – 340 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Mardi Gras Casino – 300 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Monarch Casino – 488 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Red Dolly Casino – 530 Gregory St, Black Hawk, 80422
Saratoga Casino – Black Hawk – 101 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Sasquatch Casino – 125 Gregory St, Black Hawk, 80422
The Gilpin Casino – 111 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
The Lodge Casino – 240 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Wild Card Saloon – 120 Main St, Black Hawk, 80422
Z Casino – Black Hawk – 101 Gregory St, Black Hawk, 80422
Century Casino Central City – 102 Main St, Central City, 80427
Dostal Alley Casino – 116 Main St, Central City, 80427
Easy Street Casino – 120 Main St, Central City, 80427
Famous Bonanza Casino – 107 Main St, Central City, 80427
Grand Z Casino Hotel – 321 Gregory St, Central City, 80427
Johnny Z Casino Central City – 132 Lawrence St, Central City, 80427
Bronco Billy’s Casino – 233 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Century Casino Cripple Creek – 200 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Christmas Casino Cripple Creek – 279 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Colorado Grande Casino – 300 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Double Eagle Hotel and Casino – 442 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Johnny Nolon’s Casino – 301 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
McGills Hotel and Casino – 232 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino – 256 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
The Brass Ass Casino – 264 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, 80813
Wildwood Casino – 119 N Fifth St, Cripple Creek, 80813
Sky Ute Casino Resort – 14324 CO-172, Ignacio, 81137
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel – 3 Weeminuche Dr, Towaoc, 81334

FAQ

Is online gambling legal in Colorado?

Yes, online sports betting and DFS wagering are available in the state. However, online casino gambling and online poker are not legal.

Can I use my Colorado online gaming accounts in other states?

While you can access the sites outside of Colorado, you cannot make wagers unless you are physically located in it.

I’m traveling to Colorado. Can I set up my account before I arrive?

Yes, you can set up a Colorado sportsbook account outside of the state. You can also access the site to check out odds and make deposits and withdrawals, but you have to be located in the state to make wagers.

Can I play at Colorado online gambling sites if I am just visiting the state?

Yes, while you have to be physically within the state to make wagers, you do not have to be a state resident to open an account and play at the sportsbook.

What is the minimum age to gamble online in Colorado?

You must be at least 21 years of age to gamble online in Colorado. When you go through registering, there will be identity verification to make sure you are at least 21 years old.