Colorado sports bettors, your state is officially part of the growing number of jurisdictions with legal sports betting. Sports betting in Colorado launched on Friday, May 1, 2020, with multiple apps kicking things off.
While interest is already through the roof on local favorites, such as the Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets, Colorado sports betting sites offer lines on everything from the NBA to the UFC.
Naturally, some sportsbooks do it better than others, and we’ll show you which ones hit the right notes. We’ll also show you the types of bets you can place, touch on the biggest events on the sporting calendar, and cover bonuses available at Colorado sportsbooks.
Updated: March 30, 2021
The Colorado sports betting market had its first dip in February. The monthly handle was $266.5 million, that was down from the $326.9 million in bets in January, and is the lowest monthly handle since $284.6 million in December. Yet despite the drop of 18.5% from January, it was still the third-highest month since sports betting launched in the state.
What will help that number jump back up is March Madness betting. While the University of Colorado didn’t make it to the Sweet 16, there has been interest in the NCAA Tournament for both online and retail sportsbooks in the state.
Yes. Colorado sports bettors are to thank Proposition DD for this change in law, as wagering became legal after a critical referendum passed in November 2019. Even if you aren’t a CO resident, however, you can still get in on the action. Colorado residents and visitors will have two main avenues for sports betting:
Colorado’s casinos are confined to three towns nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Black Hawk, Century City, and Cripple Creek. Each offers a unique throwback aesthetic to the casinos of the Old West.
The following online sportsbooks and casinos have been granted sports wagering licenses by the CLGCC so far:
Sportsbook | Casino | Developer | Mobile | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
DraftKings | Golden Gulch Casino | Kambi/SB Tech | Yes | May 1 |
FanDuel | Golden Gates Casino | IGT/GAN | Yes | May 1 |
BetMGM | Midnight Rose Casino | TBD | Yes | May 1 |
BetRivers | JP McGill’s Casino | Kambi | Yes | May 1 |
BetMonarch | Monarch Casino | TBD | Yes | May 11 (mobile app and retail sportsbook) |
FOX Bet | Lady Luck Casino | TBD | Yes | May 19 (mobile app). The casino also has a retail sportsbook with William Hill |
SBK Sportsbook | Bronco Billy's Christmas Casino | Smarkets | Yes | June 4 |
Sky Ute Sportsbook | Sky Ute Casino and Resort | USBookmaking | Yes | June 9 |
Betfred | Saratoga Casino | Playtech | Yes | June 17 (retail sportsbook launched). Mobile app launched Sept. 10. |
Circa Sports | Century Casino Cripple Creek | IGT | Yes | July 1 |
DraftKings | Golden Mardi Gras Casino | Kambi/SB Tech | No | The temporary retail sportsbook launched on July 10. The permanent outlet on Sept. 25. |
BetWildwood (ISI) | Wildwood Casino | Amelco | Yes | July 21 (mobile app and retail sportsbook) |
William Hill | Isle Casino | William Hill | Yes | July 24 (retail sportsbook launched). Mobile app launched Sept. 8. |
ISI | Johnny Nolon's Casino | TBD | TBD | Aug. 1 (retail sportsbook only). Also has a mobile app with Sportsbetting.com. |
ISI | Colorado Grande Casino | TBD | TBD | Aug. 3 (retail sportsbook only) |
ELITE Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino | TBD | Yes | Aug. 12 (mobile app and retail sportsbook) |
theScore Bet | The Gilpin Casino | TBD | Yes | Sept. 2 |
WynnBet | Bronco Billy's Casino | TBD | Yes | Mobile app launched in early September |
SportsBetting.com (Carousel Group) | Johnny Nolon’s Casino | TBD | Yes | Sept. 16 |
BetAmerica | Bronco Billy’s Casino | TBD | No | Sept. 24. (retail sportsbook only) |
Barstool Bets | Ameristar Casino | TBD | Yes | Nov. 5 (retail sportsbook only as of now) |
PointsBet | Double Eagle Casino | PointsBet | Yes | Nov. 18 |
SuperBook | The Lodge Casino | TBD | Yes | Dec. 27 (mobile app only as of now) |
Play Maverick | Grand Z Casino Hotel | IGT | Yes | Jan. 26 (mobile app and retail sportsbook) |
PlayMaverick | Z Casino | TBD | No | Jan. 26 (retail sportsbook only) |
Play Maverick Sports | Johnny Z's Casino | IGT | No | Jan. 26 (retail sportsbook only) |
PlaySports | The Wild Card Saloon | IGT | TBD | Retail sportsbook open (no launch date provided) |
PlaySports | Sasquatch Casino | IGT | TBD | Retail sportsbook open (no launch date provided) |
PlayUp | Bull Durham | TBD | Yes | March 8 |
Bet365 | Century Casino Cripple Creek | TBD | Yes | TBD |
TBD | The Brass Ass Casino | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Betsson | Dostal Alley Saloon | TBD | Yes | TBD |
TBD | Easy Street Casino | TBD | TBD | TBD |
TBD | The Famous Bonanza Casino | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Tipico | Century Casino Central City | TBD | Yes | TBD |
One of the two tribal casinos in the southwestern portion of Colorado, Sky Ute Casino, is now live with its sportsbook. There’s no update on when Ute Mountain Casino will launch its sportsbook to Colorado sports bettors.
Several of the biggest and best-known sport betting brands announced partnerships with casinos ahead of the May 1 launch. The list below shows the partnerships which are already known.
The legal sports betting environment here in Colorado is quite competitive, and that’s really good news for consumers. Operators have to pull out all the stops to separate themselves from the pack, and that translates directly into generous bonus offers. Here are some of the best ones you’ll find.
The best way to make sure you are getting all of the incentives you are entitled to is by creating an account with the sportsbooks via our exclusive links. You can be up and running in just minutes to take full advantage of these offers.
For free bet offers, the rules are simple. Create your account and receive free funds to play with. Risk-free bets will require a deposit, and the amount that gets refunded is not eligible for immediate withdrawal. Instead, you will need to bet the funds on wagers meeting certain parameters. Money earned from those subsequent bets is eligible for withdrawal though.
For deposit matches, the bonus funds will be credited to your account. These also aren’t eligible for withdrawal right away. The funds are still available to bet with though, so this is a fantastic way to get started on the path towards building up a bankroll.
The sports calendar is jam-packed all year round, so you’ll have little trouble finding something to wager on. From local favorites to niche sports and all points in between, you’ll have plenty of choices to consider.
Here’s what you need to do for each step.
All throughout the year, you’ll have plenty of options to consider when it comes to sports betting but here’s a look at some of the biggest drivers at the betting window.
The biggest attraction at sportsbooks comes in the form of betting on the NFL, and there are numerous ways to get in the game.
Here are just some of the top NFL betting markets you’ll have to consider here in CO.
Pro hoops is another of the biggest draws at the betting window, and it’s a top choice for many seasoned bettors. You can get in on the fun in a number of ways, including a futures bet on the Denver Nuggets to take down the Western Conference or a prop bet on the total points scored by Nikola Jokic next time out.
Here’s a peek at some of the biggest NBA betting opportunities you’ll have to sort through.
The MLB season is a big highlight at sportsbooks from opening day straight through to the World Series. The opportunities are nearly endless, including on the futures and props front. Like the Colorado Rockies to win the World Series? There’s a futures bet with your name on it. Think Trevor Story goes yard next time out? Scroll through the props and place your wagers.
Here’s a look at some of the main MLB betting markets available.
The fastest game on ice brings in plenty of wagering interest. You have a number of ways to bet on the NHL here in CO, including bets that are specific to the Avalanche. Examples include a futures wager on the team to win its division or various prop bets on what star forward Nathan MacKinnon has in store for the next game.
Here’s a look at some of the top NHL betting markets you’ll find at online and mobile sportsbooks.
Interest is through the roof when it comes to March Madness, but there’s plenty to be said for the rest of the college basketball season. There are tons of games to consider, as well as numerous futures opportunities such as the regular-season win total for Colorado State or the chances for Northern Colorado to take down the Big Sky.
Here are some of the top NCAAB betting markets you’ll have to choose from.
College football is a top choice for a number of seasoned handicappers, and folks here in CO can now see what all of the fuss is about. Beyond a plethora of options for each game on the docket, you can wager on things such as Colorado to take down the PAC-12 or an over or under on total wins for Air Force this season.
Here are some of the top NCAAF betting markets you’ll want to take a look at.
The list of sports you can bet on doesn’t begin and end with the major team-based sports. There are a number of other markets to explore, some of which see a great deal of action in their own right. This includes golf, darts, international sports, NASCAR and Aussie Rules Football, just to name a few.
There are a number of times when certain sports from will see a ton of betting action. Examples include a major tournament for golf or tennis, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, or a big UFC pay-per-view event.
One other quick note to keep in mind: Not every operator will offer each of the sports we’ve touched on. You can consult the books you plan to play on for an exact list, but the vast majority of them will have a large menu for you to browse through.
It’s good news on this front for college football and basketball fans. You can bet on college sports here in Colorado without issue. The only exception is that there is no prop betting allowed on any college sporting events.
Here in Colorado, you’ll be able to experience all of the fun and excitement of betting on college sports, including on the local teams. That means that betting on Air Force football is perfectly fine, as is wagering on Colorado basketball or any of the other local teams.
Beyond the locals, you’ll be able to get in the game with college football bowl season and March Madness like never before.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could get some bets in after the action had already started? Thanks to the wonders of live betting, you can.
Also known as in-game or in-play wagering, live betting is one of the fastest-growing parts of the sports betting landscape. It refers to bets you can place in real time as a contest unfolds.
It’s a fast-moving market in which the offerings will vary based on what’s going on. Typically, you’ll find new opportunities to bet on the outcome of the contest, wagers that resemble props and bets on certain segments of the game, such as a quarter in basketball or the next drive in a game of football.
Here are a few examples of what you might see:
There’s no need to go to a busy sportsbook to get in on the action with live betting. Online platforms make it super simple to stay on top of the action, and current offerings are generally easy to find.
Live betting is a great way to get additional action on a contest, hedge or double down on your initial positions, or simply become more engaged with the games you love.
You’ll have plenty of betting markets to choose from here in Colorado, and the same holds true for the ways you can wager. All of the major bet types are available at the major online and mobile platforms, ranging from the basics to the advanced.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the main bet types you’ll have to consider.
When starting out, remember that there’s no need to try to master everything at once. You can start with one or two bet types, build up your skills, and rinse and repeat as your skills advance. It’s worth taking the time to play around with each of the aforementioned bet types to determine which works best for your overall wagering strategy.
A 10% sports betting tax will be collected throughout the year and that money will go to the state of Colorado’s water conservation plan.
After a small amount of tax revenue was generated in September, the Colorado sports betting handle for October generated the largest amount yet. The winnings yielded $824,700 in taxes for the state, a 91.5% increase over September. It’s also the largest amount collected since sports betting launched in May. In total, the October handle was $210.7 million, a slight increase over September.
We also know the sportsbooks that are capturing the market. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have generated 84% of Colorado’s gross gaming revenue since the Colorado sports betting market launched in May.
Here is a breakdown of the first six months of Colorado sports betting revenue:
Month | Handle | GGR | NSBP | Free Bets | Federal Tax | State Tax |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 2021 | $266,549,207 | $10,444,810 | $175,275 | $9,778,437 | $666,373 | $332,227 |
January 2021 | $326,903,462 | $23,144,535 | $11,730,059 | $10,597,217 | $817,259 | $1,195,774 |
December 2020 | $284,551,472 | $17,151,867 | $5,676,627 | $10,763,860 | $711,379 | $531,490 |
November 2020 | $231,238,842 | $18,354,655 | $8,977,426 | $8,799,131 | $578,097 | $793,820 |
October 2020 | $210,719,821 | $17,402,409 | $9,642,956 | $7,232,653 | $526,800 | $824,700 |
September 2020 | $207,655,943 | $4,166,334 | ($3,394,190) | $7,041,384 | $519,140 | $69,772 |
August 2020 | $128,646,209 | $7,519,599 | $1,877,911 | $5,320,072 | $321,616 | $189,462 |
July 2020 | $59,183,620 | $5,196,599 | $2,417,311 | $2,631,328 | $147,959 | $241,867 |
June 2020 | $38,136,949 | $3,484,015 | $2,169,978 | $1,218,694 | $95,342 | $217,023 |
May 2020 | $25,621,762 | $2,565,729 | $946,741 | $1,554,933 | $64,054 | $96,538 |
Total | $1,779,207,287 | $109,430,550 | $40,220,085 | $64,937,722 | $4,448,018 | $4,490,866 |
Yes, by virtue of the passage of 2019’s Proposition DD, sports betting is now legal in Colorado.
Online sports betting is live in Colorado. As long as you are 21+, you can bet at DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM Colorado. You can also bet at a retail location by visiting on of the casinos in Colorado.
In terms of retail sportsbooks, Colorado’s land-based casinos are eligible to pursue a master license for sports betting in the state. The vast majority of them have already done so.
By law, Colorado’s casinos are limited to three towns. The towns of Black Hawk, Century City, and Cripple Creek are the only permissible locations for gambling establishments in the Centennial State.
The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees all gambling in the state. It has extended its regulatory jurisdiction to cover sports betting.
Any Colorado residents or visitors who are 21 years or older can bet on sports.
Yes. Online sports betting is available through your mobile or desktop computer.
Yes, the sports betting sites are owned and operated by some of the most prominent and respected operators in the world. They will take the utmost care to safeguard player information from hackers and other criminal elements.
No, both state and federal laws prohibit sports betting across state lines. Colorado sportsbook apps must maintain geolocation verification software and monitor the location of players on their apps continuously.
That being said, if you live outside of Colorado, you can drive across the border and bet online.
No, an offshore site operates outside the legal protections of the United States. Were there to be any incidents or disputes between you and the sportsbook, you might find your options for recourse quite limited.