The United States sports betting market has grown exponentially since the cancellation of The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. Currently, over 30 states in the US permit legal sports betting. But is Colorado among the US states offering legal sports betting? On this page, we will provide Colorado punters with a detailed look at legal sports betting in the state and list the available sportsbooks.

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Colorado. Following the nullification of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, Colorado legislators started working on a bill to introduce sports betting in the state.

The lawmakers’ effort brought about the creation of HB19-1327, a law legalizing in-person retail and online sports betting. And the bill drew support from both Democrats and Republicans as well as Governor Jared Polis.

The HB19-1327 joint support was centered around sports wagering tax revenue going towards the state Water Conservation Board. At this time, the Water Conservation Board needed funding to finish many water-based projects. In the summer of 2019, the sports betting bill passed rather easily. However, it was not without opposition, a handful of critics hoped to see a $100 limit placed on all bettors, while others pushed for the addition of race tracks to the state’s sports betting offerings.

What are the best online sports betting sites in Colorado?

Colorado has a wide variety of online sports betting sites available to the public, and they have different advantages over the others. Below is a list of some of the best rated sports betting sites in the state:

PointsBet Colorado

Launched in November 2020, PointBet Colorado is currently a popular option among Colorado punters thanks to its stellar coverage and user-friendly mobile betting app. PointBet offers a solid list of bonuses and promotions for Colorado players. One of the good things about the operator is that it does not attach playthrough requirements to its free bets.

Colorado punters will also find a good number of secure and fast deposits and withdrawal options. The operator is one of the leading online PayPal sportsbooks in the whole United States.

Also, PointBet offers all the standard sports betting features, and the operator covers a wide range of sports and markets. The key features of PointBet include casino, easy deposits and withdrawals, live betting, same-game parlay, live streaming, point betting, and 24-hour customer support.

FanDuel Colorado

Following the major changes to the United States gambling laws in 2018, FanDuel launched its complete online betting site in that same year. However, FanDuel launched in Colorado in May 2020. Since then, the betting operator has been a key figure in the Colorado sports betting market.

FanDuel has a lot of bonuses and promotions for Colorado sports bettors. These bonuses include a sign-up bonus, loyalty bonus, parlay bonus, and several other ongoing promotions.

When it comes to making deposits and withdrawals FanDuel provides Colorado players with many options, including PayPal, Visa, and MasterCard. Also, the operator covers a wide range of sports and betting markets. The key features of the FanDuel sportsbook include 24 hours customer support, daily fantasy, early deposits and withdrawals, live betting, live streaming, and same game parlay.

BetMGM Colorado

Operating in Colorado since May 2020, BetMGM features an attractive interface with a user-friendly layout on a very reliable platform. The site is secure, easy to use, and fully licensed in Colorado.

We discovered that BetMGM prefers providing bettors with competitive odds than bonuses and promotions. However, there are still a good number of bonuses for players to grab.

In addition, BetMGM sportsbook offers a wide range of deposits and withdrawal methods, including Skrill, PayPal, PayNearMe, and Bank transfers.

Finally, with the help of GVC Holdings, BetMGM offers a modern sportsbook platform that has all the features that any sports bettor could ever dream of. The key features of BetMGM sportsbooks are easy and fast banking, live betting, live streaming, poker, and same-game parlay.

DraftKings Colorado

This sports betting operator led the way in daily fantasy sports and currently, it is among the most popular sportsbooks in the regulated United States betting market. DraftKings launched in Colorado in May 2020. The operator has various bonuses and promotions for its Colorado punters.

Making deposits and withdrawals at DraftKings is straightforward and simple. Bettors have plenty of options to choose from, including Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, and PayPal.

Finally, DraftKings offers a complete online sports betting site where bettors can wager real money on live events and pre-match. The main features of DraftKings Colorado include daily fantasy, fast and easy banking, live betting, live streaming, responsive support, and same-game parlays.

Unibet Colorado

This betting brand brings two years of experience to the Colorado sports betting market, and it provides low margins and wide coverage. The operator offers a mix of bonuses and promotions that include a welcome bonus for new punters and weekly boosts for active players.

Colorado players can make real money deposits once their Unibet betting accounts are completely verified. Unibet does not charge deposit fees, and processing is usually instant. At the online sportsbook players will find a wide range of payment methods, including PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, eCheck, and Bank transfer. The Unibet sportsbook has many features. The key features of the sportsbook include easy banking, live streaming, live betting, and same-game parlays.

Caesars Colorado

The sports betting industry’s largest bonuses and promotions await eager Colorado bettors at the Caesars Sportsbook. William Hill entered the Colorado sports betting market in September 2020, days before the beginning of the NFL regular season, and Caesars replaced the William Hill brand in August 2021.

New bettors to Caesars sportsbook get a sizable match deposit bonus, plus several other special offers. In addition, Caesars accepts a wide range of banking options, including debit cards, credit cards, and e-wallets.

The well-planned and designed layout of the rebranded Caesars sports betting site makes it easy to find the available features. The main features of the Caesars sportsbook are live betting, poker, same-game Parlay, and a wide range of banking options.

BetRivers Colorado

Owned by the Rush Interactive sportsbook, BetRivers is among the most reliable sportsbooks in the Colorado gambling market. BetRivers offers online sports betting products, bonuses, and promotional offers in the state. BetRivers bonuses come with fair terms and usually have one time (1x) wagering requirements.

BetRivers sportsbook accepts payments via several banking options designed for easy online gaming transactions. Deposits are free and processed instantly while withdrawals from the sportsbook usually take 24 hours or more depending on your chosen payment method.

The BetRivers sportsbook wagering platform has features that punters are looking for, including live streaming, live betting, and same-game parlays. Also, the simple interface ensures that players quickly find the various sections of the app and website.

Retail sportsbooks in CO

There are two ways bettors can place sports bets in Colorado, first at online sports betting sites and second at one of the several sportsbook locations in Colorado. Below is the list of the retail sportsbook locations in Colorado.

  • Caesars sportsbook — Lady Lucky Casino & Isle Casino
  • DraftKings sportsbook — Golden Mardi Gras Casino
  • BetFred — Saratoga Casino
  • PointBet — Double Eagle Hotel and Casino
  • William Hill — Isle Casino
  • BetWildwood — Wildwood Casino
  • ELITE Sportsbook — Red Dolly Cas

Sports betting taxes in Colorado

There is no running away from the taxes if players land a big win in the Colorado sportsbook. Just like in most states in the US, they will need to pay an income tax of 4.63% if they manage to win cash while betting in Colorado.

The state sports betting tax is a flat rate, meaning it remains the same for every lucky winner. This flat rate substitutes for a tiered system, whereby bigger earners paid more tax. Those living in Aurora, Greenwood Village, Denver, Glendale, and Sheridan must also pay local tax on their betting winnings. For instance, bettors living in Denver are expected to pay $5.75 per month.

The legal age to bet on sports in Colorado is 21 years and above. The legal online sports betting operators in the state now have a good age identity verification method in place to stop underage betting.

However, some offshore sports betting sites may accept Colorado residents who are 18 years and above. But we don’t always recommend that since most of these offshore gambling sites are not trustworthy.

Notable dates on Colorado sports betting

Colorado offers more than sixteen different online sportsbook websites. Currently, CL is among the US states with the leading online sports betting market. The timeline highlights notable milestones in Colorado’s sports betting history:

  • 2008 – Colorado signed initiative 50 into law. The bill permits for 24 hours casino gambling in Central City, Cripple Creek, and Black Hawk.
  • 2019 – In May, Alec Garnet, House majority leader introduces HB1327, a law that would allow for regulated and legal sports wagering in Colorado. The same month Governor Polis signs HB 1327 into law. Later that year, State voters vote on Proposition DD, and YES wins by less than a 1% margin.
  • 2020 – BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers all launched their online betting sites, officially including Colorado as the state in the US that offers regulated and legal sports betting.

FAQ

Are there many sports to bet on in Colorado?

Yes, there are several sports that you can wager on in Colorado, from NFL, NHL, and MLB to even international competitions like soccer. The good news is that the top online sports betting sites that we have explored on this page offer these sports and even more. Just visit each of the sportsbook's websites and explore all their available sports.

Can I bet on horse racing in CO?

Yes, you can wager on horse racing in Colorado. However, keep in mind that horse race betting is only legal for Colorado residents who are 18 years or older. Fans can bet on horse races online via licensed ADWs, live racing at the state's single racetrack and in-person at off-track betting facilities (OTBs).

Can I bet on college sports in Colorado?

Yes, it is 100% legal to bet on college sports in Colorado. The United States Supreme Court gave a verdict that made it possible for individual states to regulate sports betting in May 2018. In November 2019, Colorado residents passed a ballot measure making the state the 19th US state with legalized sports betting.