With 15 of the nation's best sportsbooks to select from — including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars — the Colorado sports betting market offers players the most comprehensive range of gaming experiences in the U.S. Read on to learn about Colorado sportsbook promos, how to start betting in CO, legal history, and more.
Best Colorado sports betting sites
Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Some of the best live-betting odds.
- Great deposit options.
- Earn MGM Rewards from betting activity.
BetMGM Review
BetMGM is one of the top-rated sportsbooks in the U.S. offering some of the best live betting odds in the industry. They’re also the largest iGaming operator across the U.S.
Features
Win $300 + NBA League Pass 🏀
New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of $5+ and win $300 in Bonus Bets (within 72 hours).
Features
- Top-tier app experience.
- Same Game Parlays and SGP+.
- Extensive promos and odds boosts.
FanDuel Review
FanDuel reigns supreme right now as the No. 1 betting site in America. And it has largely earned that spot on the strength of superior brand recognition, an easy-to-use product, an overwhelming number of markets for North America’s most popular sports, and representation in every state in which it is permitted to offer legal sports betting.
Features
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
New users only. Register using eligible promo code. First bet to settle must lose to qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1K. Expires in 14 days. Void where prohibited. .
Features
- Earn Caesars Rewards from betting activity.
- Live streaming of NFL games.
- User-friendly mobile app.
Caesars Sportsbook Review
Caesars is proving to be one of the most aggressively expanding brands in sports betting. Unfortunately, like all major U.S. sportsbooks, they are quick to limit you if you go on a tear and their odds boost promos offer low maximum bet limits.
Features
Get $200 + Two Months Altitude+
Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER
Features
- Extensive live betting options.
- More markets than any other sportsbook.
- One of the best apps in the industry.
bet365 Review
Terms and conditions: Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
bet365 is one of the largest and most popular sportsbooks globally. With a well-received mobile app, popular same-game parlays, and a wide variety of sports leagues to bet on it’s no wonder 80 million sports bettors worldwide continue to use bet365.
Features
Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Live in 21 states
- Extremely powerful brand history and recognition
- FanCash reward system is great for sports fans
Fanatics Sportsbook Review
Fanatics Sportsbook has launched its app in 22 states already, with plans to expand to more in the near future. Fanatics is poised to be a major player in the sports betting industry.
Features
Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus Bets
Terms and conditions apply.
Features
- Lots of promos and odds boosts.
- Wide range of sports and bet types.
- Seamless integration with DFS.
DraftKings Review
DraftKings had a solid reputation as the leading DFS provider in the country, so the shift to legal sports betting felt natural. They offer one of the most voluminous collections of ongoing promos and odds boosts in the industry as they cater to the beginner crowd.
Features
Quick links On this page
- Best Colorado sports betting sites
- Colorado betting promos and bonuses
- Top Colorado betting sites
- Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
- CO sports betting key developments and updates
- Colorado sports betting summary
- How we rate and review Colorado sportsbooks
- How to start betting in Colorado
- Colorado sports betting handle
- Colorado sports leagues and teams to bet on
- Legal sports betting and regulations in Colorado
- Responsible sports betting in Colorado
- Sportsbooks to avoid in Colorado
- Growth of sports betting 📈
- Colorado sports betting FAQs
Colorado betting promos and bonuses
Colorado is one of the most challenging environments for online sportsbook operators. The best way each of the 15 sports betting sites can stand out and attract new business is by offering the best sportsbook promos, and loyalty programs to keep players coming back.
While several sportsbooks do offer deposit match bonuses, the most common Colorado sportsbook promos remain first bet insurance in some form or another. Remember that in each of these scenarios where welcome bonuses are insurances on the first wager, you won’t see any bonus monies if your first bet wins, only if it loses.
CO sportsbook 🏆 | Welcome bonus 💰 | Promo code ✅ |
---|---|---|
FanDuel | No code required | |
bet365 | SBR365 | |
DraftKings | No code required | |
BetMGM | SBR200 | |
BetRivers | $250 second chance bet | No code required |
Caesars | SBRBONUS1000 | |
Bally Bet | No code required | |
BetMonarch | No code required | |
Circa Sports | No code required | |
Fanatics Sportsbook | No code required | |
PlayUp | No code required | |
SBK | No code required | |
Sky Ute | No code required | |
Tipico | No code required | |
ESPN BET | Up to $1,500 in bonuses | No code required |
Now, if you’re a veteran sports bettor already signed up at one or more of Colorado’s 15 online sportsbooks, the welcome bonus may not be available, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to shop around.
Bettors are allowed to redeem one welcome bonus at each online sportsbook, and when more launch in the future, cagey veteran sharks can redeem those, too. Otherwise, keep close tabs on ongoing promotions once you log into your accounts. Odds boosts, reduced juice, bonus bets, and other reward programs encourage you to stick with one sportsbook over another.
Top Colorado betting sites
With 15 available, all Colorado betting sites have something to offer the casual sports bettor. However, in such a crowded space, operators continue creating unique experiences for players to keep them returning. The advancements in live video streaming technologies allow several sports betting apps to offer live video streams of their betting events.
In contrast, most offers live in-game betting where you can wager on the next play, quarter, or team to score. This constant desire to up the ante and invent creative ways to improve the user experience always benefits you, the player.
Here is what the sportsbooks in Colorado are boasting these days:
CO sportsbook | Best known for |
---|---|
Bally Bet | Live in-game betting |
bet365 | Live video streaming |
BetMGM | "King of Parlays" |
BetMonarch | Colorado-based app |
BetRivers | Award-winning parent company |
Caesars | Huge welcome bonus |
Circa Sports | Higher betting limits |
DraftKings | Industry leader |
ESPN BET | Personality-driven promos |
Fanatics Sportsbook | Apparel partnerships and rewards |
FanDuel | #1 rated app |
PlayUp | Thousands of markets |
SBK | Price+ |
Sky Ute | Top safety and security |
Tipico | Daily promotions |
Why FanDuel is the best sportsbook in Colorado 🔵
FanDuel was one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Colorado in 2020. All these years later, this industry leader remains the top sportsbook in the Rocky Mountain state. Numbers don’t lie, and if you check out FanDuel’s app store rating on iOS and Android for betting apps, it’s even ahead of rival DraftKings for producing quality products and user experiences.
To claim the welcome offer, new FanDuel users will need to register for an account, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and place an initial wager of at least $5. If your first bet is a winner, the sportsbook will award $300 in bonus bets — no FanDuel promo code necessary. For a limited time, users can also claim three free months of NBA League Pass along with the $300 in bonus bets.
Additionally, once the sign-up offer expires, FanDuel is well known for offering best-in-class weekly promotions and perks like boosted odds, same-game parlays, and rewards programs that provide benefits to loyal bettors. In fact, both new and existing users will receive a boost or bonus each day this summer.
Though others have jumped on the trend, FanDuel was one of the first-to-market operators of live video streaming. Bettors can watch live events in the app while keeping an eye on their bet slip simultaneously on one of the best live betting sites. With dozens of betting markets to choose from, like the NFL, European soccer, and PGA tour events, FanDuel has something to offer every bettor.
Bettors should also applaud FanDuel for their superior security measures and easy-to-access customer service team. At some point, a question will arise, and if you want answers quickly, you’ll want to reach out to FanDuel’s all-star customer service team.
FanDuel Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.8/5.0 |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.7/5.0 |
🏆 Best feature | Same-Game Parlay+ |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 Current welcome offer | |
💵 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
⬇ Download size | 118.7 MB |
🗺 States active | 22 + DC |
Check out our FanDuel review for more.
Other Colorado online sportsbooks and sports betting apps
Caesars Colorado 🏛
With global name recognition, it’s hard to ignore the Caesars Colorado sportsbook. If brand awareness wasn’t enough, their app store rating is above average among iOS and Android users. New players can earn up to a $1,000 first bet using Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 during sign-up. New players can also earn thousands of Caesars Rewards Points upon sign-up, which can be redeemed later for bonus bets and VIP experiences at Caesars properties.
Caesars Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.6/5.0 ⭐ (55K reviews) |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.2/5.0 ⭐ (23K reviews) |
🏆 Best feature | Frequent odds boosts |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 Caesars bonus | |
💵 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
⬇ Download Size | 226.7 MB |
🗺 States active | 22 (+DC) |
Where to bet on sports in Colorado: Caesars review
DraftKings Colorado 👑
The industry leader made a name for itself when daily fantasy sports took the United States by storm years ago. Still, DraftKings remains a top dog, thanks to its wide-ranging betting markets and second-to-none user experience. Just look at the app store ratings of 4.8 by iPhone users and 4.5 by Android bettors — they believe in DraftKings.
What's more, new players can claim a bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets offer. DraftKings will process payouts on the same day for some players. No DraftKings promo code is required.
DraftKings Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (5K reviews) |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.6/5.0 ⭐ (129K reviews) |
🏆 Best feature | Loads of micro-betting options |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 DraftKings bonus | |
💵 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
⬇ Download size | 466.3 MB |
🗺 States active | 25 + DC |
Where to bet on sports in Colorado: DraftKings review. Comparison review: FanDuel vs. DraftKings.
BetMGM Colorado 🦁
The King of Parlays has made a home in the Rocky Mountains but is consistently a top-five operator in every state where sports betting is legal. The app store ratings below speak for themselves.
New players can take advantage of a welcome offer by using promo code SBR200. Users will be awarded bonus bets in four increments of $50 whether their first bet wins or losers.
New players can also grab up to $1,500 in bonus bets with another welcome offer. Just use the BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS to claim this reward.
Only one welcome offer can be obtained per user.
BetMGM Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.8/5.0 ⭐ (186K reviews) |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.1/5.0 ⭐ (25K reviews) |
🏆 Best feature | Excellent rewards program |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 BetMGM bonus | |
💵 Payout speed | 1-2 days |
⬇ Download size | 114.3 MB |
🗺 States active | 22 (+ DC and PR) |
Where to bet on sports in Colorado: BetMGM review
bet365 Colorado 🟢
bet365 became the 26th sportsbook to launch online and via a sports betting app in Colorado. While it remains the second-most popular sports betting app among iPhone users, Android bettors believe the product could be better. New players can earn $200 in bonus bets and two months of Altitude+ on the house with the bet365 bonus code SBR365. Just register a new account and wager $5+ with -500 odds or longer. Win or lose, the bonus is yours.
bet365 Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (81K reviews) |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.5/5.0 ⭐(82K reviews) |
🏆 Best feature | Lowest-risk welcome bonus |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 bet365 bonus | |
💰 Alt. bet365 bonus | |
💵 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
⬇ Download size | 45.3 MB |
🗺 States active | 11 |
Where to bet on sports in Colorado: bet365 review
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Fanatics Colorado 🧢
Fanatics joined the legal Colorado sports betting party after acquiring the U.S.-based business of PointsBet. They quickly rebranded, relaunched, and expanded, opening shop in 21 states, including Colorado. New customers can snag up to $1,000 in bonus bets without needing a Fanatics promo code of any kind. These bonus bets come in the way of No Sweat Bets. To take advantage of the full amount of this offer, users can place bets up to $100 for 10 consecutive days. If any of their first daily bets lose on those days, they'll be awarded bonus bets equal to the wager amount.
Fanatics Colorado | |
---|---|
⭐ App Store rating | 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (24K reviews) |
📈 Google Play rating | 4.6/5.0 ⭐(5.3K reviews) |
🏆 Best feature | FanCash Rewards |
📺 Live streaming | Yes |
💰 Fanatics bonus | |
💵 Payout speed | Within 48 hours |
⬇ Download size | 290.7 MB |
🗺 States active | 21 |
Colorado sportsbooks honorable mentions
Although the remaining operators didn’t crack out the top five Colorado sportsbooks, we encourage you to check out the SBR review at least and dig into whether or not their services are what you are looking for in a sports betting site and app. Some of these sportsbooks have friendly signup offers, such as the BetRivers bonus code.
Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
Yes, betting on sports is fully legal in Colorado. The state has a dozen retail sportsbooks and licenses and regulates 15 different online sportsbooks you can use on PC or mobile devices.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is also legal but Colorado has some strict regulations when it comes to Pick 'Em contests. For a more in-depth breakdown, check out our guide to the best DFS sites.
CO sports betting key developments and updates
Aug 11, 2023: WynnBET announces it is closing operations in Colorado, along with five other states. It will remain open in New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
July 24, 2023: Despite closing operations in New Jersey and requesting to be put into "maintenance mode" in Colorado, PlayUp Sportsbook continues to accept wagers.
April 25, 2023: ClutchBet goes live in Colorado, its second market after debuting in Iowa in August 2022.
April 12, 2023: Sports betting handle in Colorado drops slightly for the month of March, down to $425.9 million, breaking a streak of four straight months of $500+ million.
March 7, 2023: Colorado sees an uptick in its January sports betting numbers. The reveals that the state's providers took in more than $500 million for the fourth straight month.
August 2021: Barstool Sportsbook launches in Colorado.
May 2020: The first online sportsbooks launch, including DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel.
May 2019: Colorado Governor Jared Polis signs HB 1327 into law. Sports betting is coming to the Rocky Mountain State.
April 2019: The Colorado legislature introduces a bill to legalize sports betting in the state.
May 2018: As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This ruling allows states to determine whether or not to legalize sports betting within their borders.
Colorado sports betting summary
🚀 Launch date | May 2020 |
➡️ Legal betting age | 21+ |
🔔 CO regulator | Division of Gaming |
▶️ Total betting sites | 15 |
📱 Online sports betting | Yes |
🏀 Retail sports betting | Yes |
🎰 Online casino | No |
🃏 Online poker | No |
🏆 Sports betting apps | 15 |
💻 Remote registration accepted | Yes |
🏈 College sports betting | Yes |
🎮 esports betting | Limited |
🌎 2021 population (est.) | 5.8 million |
💵 2022 betting handle | $5.17 billion |
💸 Tax rate | 10% |
How we rate and review Colorado sportsbooks
Sportsbook Review’s editorial team independently reviews each Colorado sportsbook for quality. SBR’s team of experts comes from various sports betting backgrounds, allowing for a more comprehensive critique of operator’s sites and sports betting apps. Since there are 15 online sportsbooks to choose from in the Rocky Mountain State, the margin for error/originality between sportsbooks is quite slim. However, SBR’s editorial team does focus most of its time and attention on the following six categories.
Welcome bonuses and promotions
Operators know they only get one chance to make a first impression. So, they need to emit the proverbial bat signal and draw attention to their products via substantial welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions to entice players to return to their platform. These days, the most common welcome bonuses are deposit matches, bonus bets, and first bet insurance, which allows first-time players to be slightly more aggressive on their first wager.
Once the sign-up offers expire, account promotions and perks include reduced juice, boosted odds, bonus bets, first bet insurance, and loyalty reward programs. These allow players to accumulate points on every bet that can be redeemed for future bets, tournament entries, and other VIP experiences not found anywhere else.
User experience
Grading a user experience is challenging because to each their own, right? However, we can all agree that we know the difference between a positive user experience and a negative one. The app should be solid, not “hang” or “lock up” or randomly stop working. The site should be easy to navigate from page to page. Creating a bet slip should be easy to use. Banking options should be easily accessible.
As more states and operators have launched in the United States, we have learned that the more seamless the process, the better the user experience. Fewer clicks to get to where you want to go, the better.
Sports bet variety
We all know that the four major sports in the United States are NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, but sports bet variety on these platforms matters. Thus, we are rating sportsbooks based on access to European soccer markets, PGA majors, tennis majors, UFC events, and heavyweight boxing bouts because a Paul brother will probably fight every six months now.
Individual sports aside, the types of bets matter, too. Moneylines, point spread, and point totals betting are great for novice players, but we’ll also want to see operators offering live in-game betting, player props, parlays, teasers, and futures odds on the board.
Banking options
Before legal sports betting in Colorado, the most significant friction point to entry was safe and secure banking options. This is no longer an issue as most online sportsbooks in the Rocky Mountain State accept major credit and debit cards, Paypal, bank wire transfers, and other e-wallet options.
Payout speed
SBR’s editorial team reviews the withdrawal request process for each of Colorado’s online sportsbooks. The average time to receive a payout is five business days, but it can be longer if you request a physical check be mailed to your residence. In that case, it can take up to 15 business days. The faster the payout speed of an operator, the higher the rating SBR awards the site.
Security and customer support
With personal and financial information being beamed back and forth between online sportsbook operators and bettors, Colorado sportsbooks must use the latest encryption software and prioritize data security. You don’t want bad actors accessing personal data because an online sportsbook was lazy in setting up firewall protections for your accounts.
If you ever run into an issue, Colorado sportsbooks must make customer service reps easy to access at all hours of the day. Most sites and the app now offer a live chat function that can help get you answers to all your queries as soon as possible rather than waiting on hold via phone or waiting on an emailed response back. The CS team, via live chat, answers your questions on demand.
How to start betting in Colorado
Suppose you’re eager to back the Denver Nuggets heading into the NBA playoffs or champing at the bit to wager on the Denver Broncos to flip the script with Sean Payton coaching Russell Wilson. In that case, there are a few things to do before placing your first bet at a Colorado online sportsbook or sports betting app. Here is a quick and easy explainer of how to get started betting in the Rocky Mountain State.
Select a sportsbook licensed in Colorado
First, do your due diligence by reviewing some or all of the online sportsbooks SBR’s editorial team rated. This will help you make an educated decision before investing time and making a first deposit with a Colorado sportsbook operator.
When you’ve found a favorite, it’s time to either sign up via their online sportsbook on a desktop/laptop computer or download their app onto a smartphone or tablet.
Register online
The registration process is clean and straightforward and should take less than five minutes.
Fire up your sports betting app to start. The operator will require you to provide basic personal information like your full name, home address, email address, phone number, date of birth, and social security number. Sportsbooks need your social security number for various reasons, namely for age verification and to avoid duplicate accounts that hackers can make in your name.
The operator will also likely send you an email to activate your account. Once you click that link, the sportsbook will ask you to create a unique username and secret password. The strongest account passwords combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Deposit and claim a bonus
After registering and logging in, head over to the cashier’s page. Here you’ll sync your preferred banking method with your Colorado sportsbook account. The most common deposit options are credit card, debit card, bank wire transfer, or third-party services like Paypal.
At this step, before you submit the amount you want to deposit, you’ll want to have any required welcome bonus promo codes handy to punch into the specified field on the screen. The last thing you want to have to happen is to make a first deposit and leave cash on the table because you forgot a promo code.
Select and finalize your bet
Now that you’re registered and have made a first-time deposit, it’s time to review the betting markets available. A positive user experience allows you to seamlessly move around the sportsbook from one sport and event to another with lag times. Building a bet slip with a combination of different wagers on the same ticket should be easy.
Once your bet slip is complete, finalize your bet by clicking submit. You’ll receive a bet confirmation once it goes through.
Win and withdraw your payout
Congrats, your first bets were winners! Maybe you’re eager to get some return on investment sooner rather than later. You can quickly request a withdrawal by returning to the cashier’s page. Payout options are via bank wire transfer, third parties like Paypal, or you can even request a withdrawal via check by courier. Just know that it can take up to 15 business days to receive your funds if you order a physical cheque.
Colorado sports betting handle
Thanks mainly to the NFL regular season, legal Colorado sportsbooks — both mobile and retail — raked in $518 million or more in the last three months of 2022. The state’s total betting handle for 2022 was $5.17 billion, up from $3.83 billion in 2021.
Of those total bets, Colorado enjoyed tax revenues of $19.7 million in 2022, up from $11.7 million the previous year. If everything goes as planned this fiscal year, sports betting could generate more than $30 million for the Rocky Mountain State. We should also expect the sports betting handle to flirt with $6 billion in a state with only 5.8 million people.
2023 Colorado handle
Month | Handle |
---|---|
January | $547.1million |
February | $425.1 million |
March | $494.4 million |
April | $417.8 million |
May | $385.2 million |
June | $310.6 million |
July | $281.1 million |
August | $306.1 million |
September | $306.1 million |
October | $554.8 million |
November | $608.5 million |
December | $716.4 million |
Total | $5.56 billion |
2024 Colorado handle
Month | Handle |
---|---|
January | $596.7 million |
February | $536.9 million |
March | $593.1 million |
April | $509.5 million |
May | $447.6 million |
June | $350.4 million |
July | $320.4 million |
August | TBD |
September | TBD |
October | TBD |
November | TBD |
December | TBD |
Total | $2.94 billion |
Colorado sports leagues and teams to bet on
You can bet on Colorado’s professional teams, like the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and the Stanley Cup Champion Avalanche, with the most popular betting markets like moneylines, point spreads, and point totals. You can also wager on in-state college teams, which is fun during bowl season and March Madness basketball tournaments.
While backing your hometown teams can be fun, it’s often not the smartest betting strategy. Bet with your brain, and don’t let emotion get in the way of handicapping a matchup. Keep an eye on injury updates, suspensions, and depth chart changes that may be hidden in headline news.
Denver Broncos 🏈
The Denver Broncos are the most popular sports team in Colorado, which is hardly surprising given the NFL's dominance of the sports landscape in America. The Broncos have an impressive eight AFC championships, many of them owing to the spectacular play of Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, Elway retired on top.
The Broncos carried on, of course. They won another Super Bowl in 2015, this time the result of an incredible defense. The team was sold to new ownership in 2022 for $4.65 billion, who quickly brought in Sean Payton as the new head coach in an attempt to return to title contention.
Denver Nuggets 🏀
For most of their existence, the Denver Nuggets were afterthoughts of the NBA's Western Conference. While teams like the Lakers and Spurs were winning titles, the Nuggets just hung out in the background. Sure, they would win the odd Northwest Division title, but those mean very little in the NBA compared to championship rings.
That all changed when they drafted Nikola Jokic in 2014, with the 41st overall pick. Within a few years they were regular playoff contenders. In 2023, led by Jokic's phenomenal all-around play, the Nuggets won their first NBA championship.
Colorado Rockies ⚾
The Colorado Rockies joined MLB as an expansion side in 1993. Despite the thin mountain air seeing baseballs fly out of Coors Field at an above-average rate, the Rockies haven't seen much success. They boast just a single NL Pennant from 2007 but were swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox.
Colorado sports fans still love the Rockies, even without any consistent success. After all, it's one of the only options for pro sports all summer, along with the Colorado Rapids of the MLS. The Rockies remains a popular betting market on many Colorado sportsbooks, thanks in part to MLB's daily schedule of games.
Colorado Avalanche 🏒
The pain of hockey fans in Quebec City became the joy of puckheads in Colorado when the Nordiques packed their bags and moved out of Canada and into the Mile High City in 1995. The team owes most of their historic success to the move, winning 12 Division titles, three Presidents' Trophies, and a trio of Stanley Cup championships in Colorado.
The Avalanche continue to entertain CO sports fans with winning seasons, thanks in part to drafting sniper Nathan MacKinnon with the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2013.
Other CO sports betting ⚽
Online sportsbooks also offer betting odds for Major League Soccer (MLS). So, if you’re interested in backing the Colorado Rapids, you’re in luck. Other less popular betting markets include international soccer, PGA tournaments, men’s and women’s tennis majors, and UFC/MMA fight cards.
Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:
Legal sports betting and regulations in Colorado
There are currently 15 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps to choose from in Colorado. There could have been more, but TwinSpires shuttered mobile operations in May 2022, BetWildwood shut down the following month, and WynnBet closed in August 2023. SI Sportsbook, Betway, SuperBook, and Betsafe also closed their sportsbooks in mid-2024. There are 33 total licenses available. So, there remains room for growth in the Rocky Mountain State.
Colorado’s online and mobile sportsbooks
Online sportsbook | Launch date |
---|---|
Bally Bet | May 2021 |
Bet365 | September 2022 |
BetMGM | May 2020 |
BetMonarch | May 2020 |
BetRivers | May 2020 |
Caesars | August 2021 |
Circa Sports | July 2020 |
DraftKings | May 2020 |
Fanatics | December 2023 |
FanDuel | May 2020 |
PlayUp | March 2021 |
PointsBet | November 2020 |
SBK | June 2020 |
Sky Ute | June 2020 |
Tipico | August 2021 |
Land-based Colorado sportsbooks
There are 12 land-based, retail Colorado sportsbooks. However, they are far from major city centers like Denver, and most listed below are in Black Hawk, Colorado.
Retail Colorado sportsbook | Location |
---|---|
ESPN BET | Ameristar Black Hawk, Black Hawk, CO |
BetMonarch | Monarch Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk, CO |
BetRivers | McGills Hotel and Casino, Cripple Creek, CO |
Bronco Sportsbook | Bronco Billy’s Casino, Cripple Creek, CO |
Caesars | Isle Casino Hotel, Black Hawk, CO |
Caesars | Lady Luck Casino, Black Hawk, CO |
DraftKings Sportsbook | Bally’s Black Hawk, Black Hawk, CO |
Elite Sportsbook | Red Dolly Casino, Black Hawk, CO |
Play Maverick | Grand Z Casino, Central City, CO |
Woody’s Sportsbook | Wildwood Casino, Cripple Creek, CO |
Who can bet on sports in Colorado?
Legal age 🎂
You must be at least 21 to wager on sports in Colorado.
Mobile betting 📱
Mobile sports betting went live in Colorado in May 2020 and remains a hot commodity, with 15 operators offering sports betting app services.
Remote registration 💻
You do not need to visit retail sportsbooks to register for an online sportsbook account, and you can take care of sign-up via computer or sports betting app. This process takes less than five minutes to complete.
Within state borders 🌎
You don’t have to be a full-time resident of Colorado to wager via online sportsbooks or sports betting apps, but you need to be physically within state borders. Sports betting operators use geotagging software to determine each person’s location when they log into or place a bet using Colorado online sportsbooks.
Retail sportsbooks 🏢
In addition to the 15 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, Colorado offers 12 retail sportsbooks where bettors can wager in person. Most are located in Black Hawk casinos.
Taxable winnings 💸
Uncle Sam and the state of Colorado want a slice of your sports betting profits. You’ll be taxed at the federal and state level on profits only. The feds take about 24%, while Rocky Mountain State snatches 4.63%. Remember, you can offset tax liability when you deduct losses from your profits.
What you can't bet on in Colorado
As we’ve touched on throughout this sports betting guide, Colorado is a hotbed for NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA wagers, but there are some categories you still can’t wager on or that the Department of Gaming is keeping on the sidelines for the near future.
Politics ❌
You can’t wager on politics in Colorado. So, your hopes of laying down some scratch on the odds to win the 2024 US presidential election will have to wait.
Entertainment award ceremonies ❌
Entertainment award shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys are not allowed in Colorado, and you will not find odds at online sportsbooks. However, unique annual events like the NFL Draft are legal to wager on yearly.
eSports ✅
eSports betting in Colorado is an interesting case study in the gaming industry. You may bet on eSports in Colorado, but each event must be approved individually, and there is no blanket approval process. So, the video game tournaments listed in various sportsbooks may vary depending on if the eSports Integrity Commission approves the event.
What about Colorado college sports? 🎓
Several state laws restrict wagers on in-state collegiate teams, but you can bet on all college sports in Colorado, both in-state and out-of-state programs. This means sportsbooks will feature odds on Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes winning the Pac-12 this fall. However, you won’t find any college player prop odds on the board because they are prohibited.
Responsible sports betting in Colorado
With 15 online and 12 retail sportsbooks active, (CDOG) is the governing body overseeing sports betting. The CDOG’s mission is to ensure honesty and integrity in the state’s gaming industry. They are in charge of reviewing applications, issuing licenses, managing revenues, enforcing laws, and issuing fines when operators color outside the lines.
The CDOG audit department conducts regular compliance reviews to ensure operators keep honest and accurate accounting books and pay their taxes promptly. The Technical Systems Group of the CDOG verifies safety and security protocols of mobile sports betting products, including field tests to ensure geofencing and identity verification measures are working in the remote registration world.
The CDOG charges a $10,000 application fee to interested operators and, if approved, charges a $125,000 licensing fee that’s good for two years.
A portion of tax revenue from sports betting goes towards treating problem gambling, including the state’s 24-hour hotline: 1-800-522-4700.
National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
Sportsbooks to avoid in Colorado
Once upon a time, before Colorado offered interested parties dozens of online sportsbooks, sports betting apps, and 12 retail sportsbooks, bettors would often seek the services of offshore sportsbook operators. These blacklisted sites are unregulated by governing bodies at the federal and state levels. So, you’ll want to avoid these sites and stick to the ones SBR’s editorial team has reviewed.
Below are three examples of offshore sportsbooks that engaged in nefarious business practices rather than providing Colorado sports bettors a positive user experience.
BetOnSports ❌ | TopBet ❌ | 131Sport ❌ |
---|---|---|
Blacklisted since 2006 | Scam sportsbook | Blacklisted since 2007 |
Grand jury indictment | Over a dozen reported confiscated winnings | History of scams |
Over $16-million owed | Offline with $45,000 unpaid to players | |
Players got pennies on dollar in settlement |
Growth of sports betting 📈
When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in.
Over the past two years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.
Most recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state. And with events like the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments happening all Summer long, the excitement and opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts continue to grow.
Colorado sports betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado and offers 15 online sportsbooks to choose from and 12 retail sportsbooks to visit in person.
When did sports betting go live in Colorado?
Legal sports betting in Colorado went live on May 1, 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
What is the minimum age to bet in Colorado?
The minimum age to bet on sports in Colorado is 21 years old.
Where can I bet on sports in Colorado?
You can bet on sports in Colorado at 12 retail sportsbooks, most of which can be found in Black Hawk, or register for a mobile betting account at any of the 15 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps the Rocky Mountain State currently offers.
How many online sportsbooks are there in Colorado?
There are a total of 15 online sportsbooks in Colorado.
What sportsbooks are legal in Colorado?
There are 15 legal online sportsbooks and sports betting apps in Colorado, and there are 12 legal retail sportsbooks. See our lists above for every single book available.
Can you bet on Colorado-based teams in Colorado?
Yes, you can bet on Colorado-based teams in Colorado. Unlike some states, you can also wager on any in-state collegiate program, and this becomes handy come college bowl season and the March Madness college basketball tournament.
Do you have to live in Colorado to bet online?
No, you do not need to live in Colorado full-time to be online. When wagering via a sports betting app or online sportsbook, you only need to be physically within the Colorado state lines. Sports betting operators use geotracking technology to verify your location at the login time and wager.
How do you place a sports bet in Colorado?
You have three options when placing a sports bet in Colorado:
1) You can download a sports betting app and wager on that platform.
2) Register for online sportsbooks and wager on that platform.
3) You can visit a brick-and-mortar, land-based retail sportsbook, and wager in person.
Are sports betting apps legal in Colorado?
Yes, sports betting apps are legal in Colorado.