Colorado Sports Betting: Best Colorado Sportsbooks in 2023
Colorado sports betting includes access to 24 of the best sports betting sites — more than any other state. Sifting through the bounty of bonuses and promotions is daunting, so keep reading to find out which Colorado sportsbooks are right for you.
Best Colorado sports betting sites
#1 Top-rated sportsbook
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.7/5- Competitive pricing
- Offers same-game parlays
- Exclusive live streaming
Payout Speed:Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.3/5- Weekly promotions
- Over 20 sports available
- Offers same-game parlays
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.4/5- User-friendly mobile app
- Good deposit options
- Offers same-game parlays
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.7/5- Generous welcome bonus
- Offers same-game parlays
- Ample betting options
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.6/5- Well-designed mobile app
- Live same-game parlays
- 24/7 customer support
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.6/5- Good live betting section
- Offers same-game parlays
- User-friendly interface
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.4/5- Top-rated sportsbook
- Ample markets
- Fast and secure banking
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.1/5- Modern betting platform
- Convenient banking
- 24/7 customer support
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.2/5- Frequent special offers and promotions
- Proprietary online sportsbook software
- Fast withdrawals
Deposits & withdrawals
BetSmart™ Rating: 4.3/5- Awesome welcome bonus
- Consistently good pricing
- Offers same-game parlays
Deposits & withdrawals
- Online and retail sports betting is live now
- Legal age for sports betting is 21
- 24 legal online sportsbooks active
- Exclusive welcome offers below
Colorado sports betting updates
Colorado became one of the states that allow sports betting on May 1, 2020, but clearing the legislature was only the beginning. The path to legalization came less than six months after Colorado voters approved a ballot measure, by a slim margin, that would cover the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.
Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted under Colorado law. The state will leverage tax revenue from sports betting to help fund various state water projects.
This timeline illustrates notable milestones in Colorado's sports gambling history:
Jan. 5, 2023: Colorado sports betting recorded its second largest monthly handle in November 2022.
Jan. 3, 2023: New Colorado sports betting bill could double tax revenues almost immediately.
Oct. 20, 2022: Underdog Sports secures a temporary license to operate in Colorado, setting the stage for the company to launch its sports betting product in its first two states come 2023.
Sept. 1, 2022: bet365 becomes the 26th online sportsbook to go live in Colorado.
Aug. 2, 2022: Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton joins the Denver Broncos ownership group.
June 30, 2022: Colorado becomes the seventh state to surpass $7 billion in total sports betting handle.
BetWildwood shuts down its Colorado sports betting app as it prepares to launch a new and improved app.
June 15, 2022: The state's director of gaming, Dan Hartman, reveals that hockey betting handle increased 145% from April 2021 ($10.6 million) to April 2022 ($26 million). The Avalanche currently sit in the Stanley Cup Final.
June 14, 2022: An audit conducted by the Colorado Office of the State Auditor reveals significant issues with the Colorado Division of Gaming's regulation of sports betting, including a failure to properly perform background checks for a multitude of licenses.
May 30, 2022: Colorado's sports betting handle slipped in April compared to March but was higher year over year.
May 10, 2022: The Senate-amended "Responsible Gaming Grant Program" bill is advanced by the House via a 50-15 vote. The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Polis to potentially be signed into law.
May 6, 2022: A bill that would fund problem gaming programs in Colorado is amended by the Senate to note that the $3 million dedicated to the issue would be provided "annually" rather than "continuously," upsetting advocates for gambling addiction treatment and prevention. The bill passes through the Senate, 25-8, and proceeds to the House.
April 28, 2022: Colorado's sports betting handle rebounded in March to $505.6 million, thanks largely to college basketball betting around March Madness.
April 27, 2022: BlueBet reveals that its U.S. brand, ClutchBet, will be used when it launches an online sportsbook in Colorado.
April 26, 2022: Alec Garnett, the state's Speaker of the House, introduces a bill that would fund responsible gambling programs in Colorado.
April 20, 2022: MaximBet and Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon announce a sports betting ambassador partnership. The deal is the first of its kind between a regulated sportsbook and an active MLB player.
April 5, 2022: Colorado sports betting slowed in February, with sportsbooks accounting for a total handle of $440.5 million —a 23% decrease from January’s handle.
March 17, 2022: The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission approves an adjustment to the state’s sports betting rules that allows for fixed-odds wagering on horse and greyhound racing. The practice is set to receive an 18-month trial run.
March 4, 2022: Colorado Division of Gaming suspends all betting on Russian sports.
March 1, 2022: Colorado posts an all-time single-month sports betting handle record of $573.7 million in January 2022, crushing its previous best of $491.5 million in October 2021.
Feb. 10, 2022: Betsson, the Swedish gaming operator, reveals plans to launch its mobile sportsbook in Colorado later in 2022.
Jan. 26, 2022: BlueBet signs a skin agreement with the Wild Card Saloon & Casino in Blackhawk. The Australia-based BlueBet will look to launch an online sportsbook in CO, pending licensing and regulatory approval.
Jan. 24, 2022: Kambi becomes the new exclusive sportsbook provider of MaximBet.
Jan. 3, 2022: Colorado sportsbooks registered record revenue in November, returning nearly $2 million in taxes for the state.
Dec. 17, 2021: bet365 receives approval to offer online sports betting in Colorado.
Sept. 2021: SI Sportsbook, partnered with 888, goes live in Colorado.
Aug. 2021: Barstool Sportsbook, the Penn National Gaming-controlled property, launches in Colorado.
May 2020: The first online Colorado sportsbooks officially go live as BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel all launch in CO.
Nov. 2019: Colorado Proposition DD narrowly passes a voter referendum, allowing the state’s 33 casinos to apply for licenses to offer in-person and online sports betting.
May 2019: Governor Jared Polis signs the 37-page bill into law.
April 2019: House Bill 1327 is introduced by Rep. Alec Garnett. The bill would legalize sports betting in Colorado.
Why DraftKings is the best sportsbook in Colorado
DraftKings checks in as the best sportsbook in Colorado due to its fantastic mobile app, extensive promos section, and live betting prowess. DraftKings offers a complete Colorado sports betting package for any bettor.
The DraftKings sports betting app can go toe-to-toe with any other mobile offering in the industry. In fact, its slick user interface and straightforward navigation put it head and shoulders above many other sports betting apps in Colorado. Users can execute swift withdrawals, view odds in any market, and even visit the DraftKings casino section.
Bettors can nab DraftKings' limited-time sign-up bonus — a bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets offer. Those who deposit and wager $5 or more on any sports market will receive $200 in bonus bets (eight $25 bets) on top of any potential winnings. But act fast — the bonus only lasts until Feb. 12, 2023.
Whether you’re live betting Sunday’s NFL slate, looking for the best odds boosts, or interested in checking out some free-to-play contests, DraftKings has you covered. The sportsbook’s competitive odds are the cherry on top for Colorado handicappers.
Coloradans looking for the ultimate sports betting experience need not look any further than DraftKings. Read our DraftKings Sportsbook review to learn more about Colorado’s best sportsbook.
Best offers and bonuses in Colorado
Most Colorado sportsbooks offer new users attractive sign-up bonuses to help kick-start the betting action. Here are the best Colorado sports betting bonuses for 2023:
bet365 - Bet $1, Win $200 in bonus bets: What can you get for $1 these days? $200 in bonus bets from bet365. New customers, particularly beginner bettors, should claim this sign-up bonus and not think twice. Players are guaranteed $200, even if the bet registers as a loss.
Caesars Sportsbook - Up to $1,250 on Caesars: Use Caesars Colorado promo code COVERSBONUSFULL, and should your initial wager come up short, Caesars CO will give you bet credit equal to the initial stake, worth up to $1,250. With 1,000 Caesars Rewards® Tier Credits and 1,000 Caesars Rewards Reward Credits guaranteed, regardless of the outcome of your bet, Caesars tops the Colorado sports betting competition.
FanDuel - $3,000 no sweat first bet: First-time FanDuel Colorado customers can claim a $3,000 no sweat first bet offer. If your initial wager on any sports market registers as a loss, the sportsbook will reimburse you, up to $3,000, in the form of bonus bets.
BetMGM - $1,000 back in bonus bets: BetMGM CO allows new users a second chance at gambling glory. Bettors who lose their first bet can earn up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets — delivered by BetMGM as five $200 bonus bets.
PointsBet - 5 x $50 second chance bets: New PointsBet Colorado sports bettors can also take advantage of a generous welcome offer — and no PointsBet promo code is needed. The sportsbook will let you place up to five $50 second chance bets over your first five days of betting on the PointsBet platform.
Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.
Top five Colorado betting sites
Skip the daunting task of stacking up Colorado's 24 online sportsbooks against one another. We've identified the top five Colorado betting sites in 2023:
1. DraftKings Colorado
Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
No code required
Led by its amazing mobile sports betting app, DraftKings has carved out its spot among the best Colorado sportsbooks. The betting site and app both feature user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for users to navigate and lock in their desired wagers. With fast and reliable payouts, a long list of sports betting promos, and tons of sports to bet on, DraftKings Colorado is worth a look for experienced and beginner bettors.
Read our DraftKings Review to learn more.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS); 4.6 (Android)
- Best feature: Betting carousel
- Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
- Payout speed: 1-5 days
2. PointsBet Colorado
5 x $50 second chance bets
No code required
Headquartered in Denver and hailing from Australia, PointsBet is another sportsbook that checks many boxes in Colorado. The platform is packed with unique features like boosted parlays, "Karma Kommittee," and its proprietary Points Betting system, where users win or lose more based on the margin of victory or defeat. While Points Betting is innovative and sets the brand apart from competitors, we advise users to exercise caution. The Points Betting system bases customer payouts and losses on the accuracy of wagers placed.
Refer to our PointsBet Review to learn more.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS); 4.7 (Android)
- Best feature: Daily odds boosts
- Sign-up bonus: 5 x $50 second chance bets
- Payout speed: 1-5 day
3. FanDuel Colorado
$3,000 No Sweat First Bet
No code required
Among the first sportsbooks to join the Colorado sports betting market, FanDuel opened its virtual doors to CO bettors in May 2020. Since then, it has established itself as a go-to option in the Centennial State thanks to an industry-best welcome bonus, an incredible mobile app, and a vast collection of unique bet types and promos. Get started with a $3,000 no sweat first bet offer from FanDuel Colorado.
Check out our FanDuel Review for more on FanDuel CO.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS); 4.7 (Android)
- Best feature: Easy-to-navigate app
- Sign-up bonus: $3,000 no sweat first bet
- Payout speed: 1-5 days
4. Caesars Colorado
Up to $1,250 on Caesars
Code: COVERSBONUSFULL
Caesars Sportsbook Colorado stands out from a crowded, competitive Colorado sports betting scene with its generous welcome offer — up to $1,250 on Caesars. If you lose your first bet, up to $1,250, Caesars will return the full amount in the form of bet credit. In addition to its sign-up bonus, the sportsbook hooks up bettors with one of the most revered rewards programs in the industry and best-in-class customer support.
Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review to learn more.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS); 4.4 (Android)
- Best feature: Live betting
- Sign-up bonus: Up to $1,250 on Caesars
- Payout speed: 1-5 days
5. BetRivers Colorado
Up to a $500 bonus bet
Code: SPORTS
While it may not garner the attention of some of Colorado's other top sportsbooks, BetRivers offers a solid betting experience across the board. Its iRush rewards program, boosted odds, and bonus bets reward active users, and the sportsbook regularly doles out competitive odds. BetRivers' app is easy to navigate and surprisingly keeps pace with more prominent players in Colorado.
Check out our BetRivers Review for more information and an honest take.
- App store rating: 4.7 (iOS); 3.6 (Android)
- Best feature: Endless betting markets
- Sign-up bonus: Use promo code SPORTS for up to a $500 bonus bet
- Payout speed: 1-14 days
What sportsbooks are legal in Colorado?
The first Colorado sports betting sites went live on May 1, 2020. Today, 24 online operators are accepting bets in the Centennial State.
The Colorado Division of Gaming has approved the following online operators to date:
- DraftKings - Top sportsbook
- PointsBet - Unique features
- FanDuel - First-class app
- Caesars - Best welcome bonus
- BetRivers - Best for new bettors
- BetMGM - Best for banking
- SuperBook - Competitive lines
- FOX Bet - Quick payouts
- Betfred - User-friendly
- bet365 - Intuitive menus
- WynnBET - Trusted brand
- Betway - Most secure
- Tipico - Proprietary software
- SBK Sportsbook - Sharp odds
- Barstool - Lots of markets
- SI Sportsbook - Daily promos
- PlayUp - Fun betting challenges
- Bally Bet - Nice odds boosts
- Elite Sportsbook - Customer-focused
- Betsafe - Full menu
- Play Maverick - Simple design
- BetMonarch - Locally-owned
- Circa Sports - High limits
- Sky Ute - Best odds
Legal sportsbooks in Colorado
Legal sports bets may be placed online via a computer or mobile device. In-person wagers are permitted in Colorado at one of the state’s several retail locations.
TwinSpires CO called it quits in Colorado and Indiana on May 16, 2022. BetWildwood shut down its sportsbook in June of 2022.
Colorado's online and mobile sportsbooks
| Online sportsbook | Mobile app | Odds provider | Online casino | Retail partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bally Bet  |
Yes | Bet.Works | No | Bally's Black Hawk |
| Barstool |
Yes | Kambi | No | Ameristar Black Hawk |
| bet365 |
Yes | bet365 | No | Century Casino Cripple Creek |
| Betfred Sports |
Yes | OpenBet | No | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk |
| BetMGM |
Yes | BetMGM | No | Midnight Rose Casino |
| BetMonarch |
Yes | Stadium | No | Monarch Casino |
| BetRivers |
Yes | Kambi | No | McGills Hotel and Casino |
| Betsafe |
Yes | Betsson | No | Dostal Alley Casino |
| Betway |
Yes | Betway | No | Famous Bonanza Casino |
| Caesars |
Yes | Caesars | No | Lady Luck Casino |
| Circa Sports |
Yes | Circa | No | Century Casinos |
| DraftKings |
Yes | SBTech | No | Bally's Black Hawk |
| Elite Sportsbook |
Yes | Bet.Works | No | Red Dolly Casino |
| FanDuel |
Yes | Flutter | No | Bally's Black Hawk |
| FOX Bet |
Yes | TSG | No | Lady Luck Casino |
| Play Maverick Sports |
Yes | IGT | No | Maverick Gaming |
| PlayUp |
Yes | PlayUp | No | Bull Durham Casino |
| PointsBet |
Yes | Kambi | No | Double Eagle Casino |
| SBK |
Yes | Smarkets | No | Bronco Billy's Casino |
| SI Sportsbook (888) |
Yes | 888 | No | Colorado Grande |
| Sky Ute |
Yes | Sky Ute | No | Sky Ute Casino |
| SuperBook |
Yes | IGT | No | The Lodge Casino |
| Tipico |
Yes | Tipico | No | Century Casinos |
| WynnBET |
Yes | GAN | No | Bronco Billy's Casino |
Land-based CO sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone number | Odds provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstool Sportsbook | Ameristar Black Hawk | 111 Richman Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (720) 946-4000 | Kambi |
| BetFred Sportsbook | Saratoga Casino Black Hawk | 101 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-6100 | Playtech |
| BetMonarch | Monarch Casino Resort Spa | 488 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1000 | Stadium |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | McGills Hotel and Casino | 232 Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 689-2446 | Kambi |
| Bronco Sportsbook | Bronco Billy's Casino | 233 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 689-2142 | Kambi |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk | 401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (800) 843-4753 | Caesars |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Lady Luck Casino | 340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 998-7777 | Caesars |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bally's Black Hawk | 300 Main Street Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-5600 | SBTech |
| Elite Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino | 530 Gregory Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1100 | Bet.Works |
| Play Maverick Sports | Grand Z Casino | 321 Gregory St, Central City, CO 80427 | (303) 582-0800 | IGT |
| SuperBook | Lodge Casino | 240 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | (303) 582-1771 | Stadium |
| Woody's Sportsbook | Wildwood Casino | 119 Carbonate Street Cripple Creek, CO 80813 | (719) 244-9700 | ISI |
Latest Colorado betting news
Who can bet on sports in Colorado?
Anyone 21-years of age and over and located in the state may place a sports bet in Colorado. Players can visit a physical sportsbook or use a computer or mobile device to wager online.
Here’s everything you need to know before placing your first sports bet in Colorado.
Legal age
You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Colorado.
Mobile betting
Wagers can be placed with legal Colorado sports betting site sor mobile sports betting apps via a computer or mobile device. The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees all sports betting in the Centennial State.
Remote registration
Remote registration allows both Colorado’s residents and visitors to sign up and start betting online without having to verify their identity at a retail sportsbook. This is of major significance in Colorado as players would otherwise be required to visit a licensed casino — none of which are located in the more populous areas of Colorado.
Within state borders
Online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to confirm the exact locations of their users. So as long as you can prove you’re in Colorado, you’ll be able to partake in all legal sports betting activity online.
Retail sportsbooks
Several Colorado casinos house retail sportsbooks or self-serve betting kiosks. Any of the state’s 40 casinos can apply for a Master Sports Betting License. Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Black Hawk, Century City, and Cripple Creek comprise the available locations.
Taxable winnings
Colorado sports bet winnings are taxed at both the federal and state level. All gambling profits are subject to a state income tax of 4.63% in Colorado.
The pros and cons of Colorado sports betting
Fully remote registration is a massive win for Colorado sports bettors. With nearly all of the state’s casinos situated in three sparsely populated rural areas, accessibility could have been a significant hurdle otherwise.
There’s not much to gripe about when comparing Colorado sports betting laws to those of other states. The absence of college prop bets is the only real significant betting opportunity omitted from Colorado law.
No college prop betsGlitchy geolocation softwareRetail outlets in remote areasHow to start betting in Colorado
With remote registration and online betting, it’s easy to get started with sports wagering in the Centennial State. Alternatively, Coloradans may visit a brick-and-mortar sportsbook in a state-licensed casino if physical bets are preferred.
Select a sportsbook
Colorado sports bettors should always take their time when choosing which sports betting platform best suits their needs. Consider betting odds, bettor reviews, bonus offers, and customer support of each sportsbook.
Register online
Colorado sports betting law has made registration quick and straightforward. Once you’ve chosen a CO sportsbook, simply fill in your personal details via a mobile device or computer. Some Colorado sports betting sites may also ask for your driver’s license or SSN to verify your identity.
Claim a bonus
Always be sure to claim your bonus when completing the registration process with a new sportsbook in Colorado. These promotions are driven by competition in the state and provide new sports bettors with several great offerings.
- Bonus bets: If you lose your first bet, some Colorado sportsbooks will refund the exact amount to your account — up to a specified amount. This is usually in the form of bonus bets.
- Deposit match: A sportsbook may also match your initial deposit, giving you more money to bet with. Playthrough requirements accompany this type of bonus.
- No-deposit bonus: This promotion gives you the ability to place what equates to a free bet. Playthrough requirements are typically attached here as well.
Choose your bet
All of the popular bets are available for sports bettors in Colorado.
These include moneylines, player prop bets (excluding college sports), point spreads, parlays, Over/Unders (totals), teasers, live bets, and futures.
Deposit
There are many ways to make deposits into your sports betting account. Every Colorado sportsbook is different, but a combination of the following should be available: Play+, PayPal, credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, or PayNearMe. Cash can also be used at retail sportsbooks in the Centennial State.
Take a look at the transaction fees associated with each method before choosing the one that works for you.
Start betting
Familiarize yourself with the various betting opportunities available with each sportsbook you’re considering. Not all Colorado sportsbooks offer the same betting lines, so a little bit of research could uncover more favorable betting scenarios than you may have anticipated.
Withdraw
Some sportsbooks may ask players to verify their identity via a driver’s license before processing a withdrawal. Withdrawals may be immediate but could also take a day or two, depending on how you choose to pull out funds from your account.
Odds explained
Colorado sportsbooks use American Odds — also known as moneyline odds — as the default option when displaying betting odds. For favorites, the number listed indicates the amount bettors need to wager to win $100. So, for example, -150 odds tell you that $150 needs to be put on this line if you’d like to take home $100 in profit.
Conversely, the number found next to an underdog specifies the profit up for grabs when placing a $100 bet. For example, +155 odds represent the $155 in profit you would receive following a winning $100 bet. As underdogs are not expected to win, you’ll stand to gain more when placing a wager on these teams.
Colorado betting sites may also allow you to view odds as decimals and fractions. Check out our odds converter to easily switch between American, Decimal, and Fractional odds.
What you can't bet on in Colorado
Colorado may have the least restrictive sports betting law in the country. Flush with betting opportunities, Coloradans and visitors of the Centennial State can lay a sports bet on just about any event imaginable.
However, there are a few exceptions highlighted here:
Politics
Colorado sports betting does not include wagers on political events.
Awards ceremonies
While popular with offshore sites, celebrity and pop-culture events such as the Academy Awards are off-limits at Colorado sports betting sites
What about college sports?
Sports bettors are free to place bets on any college team in the country. Player props are not offered, however.
What about the NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft is now a marquee offseason betting event, and Coloradans are free to partake in the action.
What about esports?
While esports betting is legal in Colorado, all esports events must be approved individually by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC).
CO sports betting handle
Colorado has quickly become a significant market for sports betting in the United States. The state has registered over $3 billion in sports bets in the year following the legalization of sports wagering.
Colorado's monthly betting handle has surpassed $400 million on eight occasions and in January 2022, it broke the $500 million mark for the first time. The state's 6.4 hold percentage was second-lowest among all states with legalized sports betting in 2020.
Here's a look at Colorado's sports betting earnings to date:
Yearly breakdown
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold percentage | Tax revenue |
| 2023 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | $5.17B | $351.9M | 6.79% | $19.7M |
| 2021 | $3.83B | $250.1M | 6.6% | $11.7M |
| 2020 | $1.19B | $75.8M | 6.4% | $2.96M |
Monthly handle
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | $573.7M | $440.5M | $505.6M | $392.3M | $360M | $313.2M | $258.4M | $290.1M | $450.2M | $526.6M | $552.6M | $518M | $5.17B |
| 2021 | $326M | $266M | $301M | $244M | $249M | $229M | $181M | $211.9M | $408.3M | $491.5M | $475.4M | $461.4M | $3.83B |
| 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $25M | $38M | $59M | $128M | $207M | $210M | $231M | $284M | $1.19B |
Home team advantage: Colorado sports
Coloradans adore their pro sports teams. Many Colorado sports betting sites may even encourage small wagers on these clubs by attaching easily attainable bonuses to a player or team's performance.
In the long run, however, bettors must treat home team bets like any other and put biases aside. Conduct your research and review our how to bet guides before blindly placing a bet on any of your favorite teams.
Other types of gambling
Colorado is home to 40 casinos, five poker rooms, and one racetrack.
Beyond sports betting, state lawmakers have remained hesitant to usher in any other forms of online gambling.
Casino
Most of Colorado’s casinos are located in Cripple Creek and Blackhawk. Each casino offers an exhaustive list of table games, including craps and roulette, which were added when the Colorado Limited Gaming Act was altered in 2009.
Real money online casinos are illegal in the Centennial State. Sweepstakes casino sites are permitted, however, as these sites use “sweeps coins” instead of dollars and are legal in 49 of 50 states.
Poker
Poker enthusiasts can visit five poker rooms in Colorado. Ameristar Casino Blackhawk, Isle Casino Blackhawk, and Golden Gates Casino are home to the most popular poker tournaments in the state.
Like online casinos, there are no legal options for playing online poker in Colorado.
Horse racing
Colorado is home to a single-horse racetrack — Arapahoe Park Horse Track. Coloradans can place live or simulcast wagers at Arapahoe Park or at one of twelve off-track betting sites.
Pari-mutuel bets can be placed online with the best horse racing betting sites.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports have been legal in Colorado since 2016. Players must be 18 or older to enter DFS contests in the Centennial State.
DraftKings, FanDuel, YahooSports, Monkey Knife Fight, and Prize Picks are among the DFS operators in Colorado.
Quick facts: Colorado sports betting
Here’s the deal: Coloradans have adopted mobile sports at a high clip, with more than 90% of sports bets in Colorado placed via a mobile device.
Favorable conditions for operators and an engaged fanbase contribute to Colorado's early sports betting success.
Here are critical takeaways from Colorado's sports betting structure:
| Launch date | May 1, 2020 |
| Legal age for betting | 21 |
| Online sports betting | Yes ✅ |
| Number of betting licenses | 33 |
| Number of betting sites | 24 |
| Remote registration | Yes ✅ |
| Retail sportsbooks | Yes ✅ |
| Online casino sites | No ❌ |
| Online poker | No ❌ |
| Retail casinos | Yes ✅ |
| Betting on college sports | Yes ✅ |
| Betting on esports | Yes ✅ |
| State population | 5.8 million |
| Total handle (2021) | $3.83 billion |
| Tax rate | 10% (online revenue) |
| State regulator | Colorado Division of Gaming |
Responsible gaming in Colorado
With legal sports betting taking off in Colorado, the Colorado Gaming Associated (CGA) has implemented several programs to educate casino employees and support problem gamblers.
The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC) provides support in the form of a self-exclusion program. Individuals who fear having a gambling addiction may voluntarily prohibit themselves from all betting activity in the state.
Legal Colorado betting sites also allow users to place a wide range of restrictions on themselves. For example, players can set deposit and betting limits or permanently join the self-exclusion list.
Denver betting resources
Denver sports betting has catapulted in popularity and is available to anyone at least 21 years of age.
We have prepared multiple guides to help provide the best Denver sports betting resource.
Interested in the full Denver sports betting city guide? Check it out here.
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
Colorado formally legalized sports betting following the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn the long-standing federal ban on sports gambling. Sports gambling is also legal in these U.S. jurisdictions:
Upcoming legal U.S. sports betting launches
On Nov. 23, 2022, Maryland joined the list of states offering legal online sports wagering when seven Maryland sportsbooks went live.
On Jan. 1, 2023, the first Ohio sportsbooks began accepting legal wagers.
Massachusetts sports betting will get underway later in January as in-person wagering is introduced. MA online betting should follow in March.
Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets
The number of states moving toward legal sports betting continues to grow, but there are still many that have yet to take the plunge.
Here are the untapped markets which could potentially open up soon:
Colorado sports betting conclusion
The ability to register an account with 24 legal and regulated Colorado sportsbooks underscores its significance in the U.S. sports betting industry. The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees and regulates the legal market and has implemented rigid standards to assure player safety and security.
Each of the 40 casinos found in Colorado’s three mountain gambling towns is legally permitted to offer sports betting, as online and in-person sports betting are permitted under Colorado law. Competition from neighboring states is minimal, which benefits Colorado residents and visitors alike.
Sportsbooks to avoid in Colorado
See all blacklisted sportsbooks
Offshore betting sites do exist in Colorado, but bettors are advised to avoid them. The following sites have been added to our blacklist because they are unregulated, unreliable and there is no guarantee players will be able to access funds placed in unsecured accounts.
- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service
- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
Colorado sports betting FAQ
Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado. Proposition DD, the Legalize Sports Betting With Tax Revenue for Water Projects Measure, was approved in November 2019.
Yes. Colorado online sports betting was legalized in November 2019. Today, you can register with 24 licensed and regulated online sportsbooks.
You can bet on sports online at legal Colorado betting sites. In-person wagers may be placed at retail Colorado sportsbooks.
Yes. Any of Colorado's casinos can apply for a sports betting license. Check our guide above for a full list of retail sportsbooks located in CO casinos.
No, bettors do not need to be residents of Colorado in order to place a wager. Still, players must be physically located in Colorado to partake in sports betting activities.
Visit a Colorado sports betting website, download a sports betting app, or head on over to a retail sportsbook to place a sports wager in Colorado.
Yes, wagering on Colorado teams at the professional and college level is permitted. College prop bets are not allowed, however.
Colorado took in $250 million in sports betting revenue in 2021.
Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek are home to Colorado’s retail sportsbooks. Online wagers can be placed state-wide.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and the Colorado Division of Gaming provide oversight over the regulation of legalized sports betting in Colorado.
No, theScore Bet is no longer available in Colorado. The Canadian-owned operator discontinued all U.S. operations on July 1, 2022.
Yes, DraftKings has partnered with Mardi Gras Casino and was among the first sportsbooks to go live in May 2020.
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Jeff has been reviewing sportsbooks and covering North American sports betting full-time since 2021. The former NHL prospects writer has crafted over 100 reviews and guides for the Covers community and has been sweating his own picks for over a decade.
