Is Sports Betting Legal in Colorado?
Yes, as of May 2020, Colorado joined the list of US states to have legalized sports betting following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. That means that the Colorado government, through the Colorado Division of Gaming, now regulates the sports betting industry within the state.
Since 2020, multiple sportsbooks have launched, more than 20 in total. However, the state allows for up to 33 licenses, one for each of Colorado’s casinos. Betting is available on all sports, including in-state college teams.
Timeline of CO Sports Betting
- November 2019 – Colorado voters approve Proposition DD, which aims to legalize and regulate sports betting to increase tax revenue.
- May 1, 2020 – The first online sportsbooks launch in Colorado, with licenses approved by the Colorado Division of Gaming.
- September 2020 – Sports betting continues to grow in Colorado, with new sportsbooks being launched and the start of the NFL season.
- December 2020 – By the end of the year, the state has seen $1 billion in wagers placed at licensed sportsbooks.
Colorado Sports Betting at a Glance
| Colorado retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Colorado online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Colorado online sports betting launch date | May 1, 2020 |
| Colorado sports betting regulator | Colorado Division of Gaming |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | 33 |
| Total bets placed in first month | $25 million |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 10% |
Top CO Sportsbooks
There are up to 33 sportsbooks potentially launching in Colorado, with over twenty available right now. In fact, there are more betting options here than in any other state, but based on our research, these are some of the best and their top features:
- BetMGM – Exclusive live streams
- FanDuel – Excellent mobile app
- DraftKings – Very accessible site
- Caesars – Great welcome offer
- PointsBet – Lots of unique markets
- Bet365 – Simple betting interface
- Betway – Fast payments
- Unibet – Regular odds boosts
- Betrivers – Loyalty rewards
How to Choose a CO Sportsbook
Before you can start betting, you’ll need to pick one of the available sportsbooks in Colorado. There are a lot of options to choose from, and we don’t blame you for being unsure of which one to go with. They all have their advantages, and some are certainly better suited to some people than others. Before you make a decision, we recommend checking out the following factors:
Reviews
Reviews are by far the easiest way to find out what a sportsbook has to offer. Our expert review team has signed up to every legal CO sportsbook and tested them out to give you all the details on what to expect. This includes all the important information on bonuses, markets, odds, and much more. You can be sure of unbiased and clear reporting on each site, and we update them regularly, so you’ll always find the latest news on offers and features.
Bonuses
Almost all Colorado sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to sweeten the deal and encourage more people to sign up. Based on our research, these offers are almost always worth claiming, but some are certainly better than others. Before you join, it’s always a good idea to check out the available promotions and see which ones you like best. Be sure to read the terms and conditions too.
Potential bonuses you might come across include:
- Free bets/bet credits
- Risk-free bets
- No deposit offers
- Matched deposit offers
- Odds boosts
Odds and Lines
For most bettors, the odds and lines are the most important feature to consider. We’re inclined to agree, as they do have the biggest impact on your profits. Finding a site that offers better odds means you’re more likely to make more profits in the long run, and the lines will also affect how much success you can have.
Sports and Markets
According to the latest research, most bettors prefer to bet on a single sport and choose between a select few markets. However, a growing number of bettors enjoy branching out and placing bets on lots of different sports and markets.
Ideally, your sportsbook should have a variety of options, and more options mean more betting opportunities. On top of the biggest and most popular sports, having competitions from around the world means you can bet at any time, as there are almost always games on. CO sportsbooks usually offer betting on the following sports:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- MLS
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Golf
- Motorsports
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
- Boxing
But many sportsbooks have even more options to choose from too. Before joining, check to see which sports are available and make sure that the sports you prefer to bet on are well-represented.
Market availability is another great feature for a sportsbook to have. Most CO betting sites offer lots of different markets, especially on bigger and more popular events. Typically, these vary depending on the sport and the size of the event, but based on our research, you can expect to see the following on most games:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
Usability is another important factor to consider, as while a sportsbook might have great offers and odds, it’s not worth joining if it’s difficult to use. The sign up process should be as simple and straightforward as possible, as should finding the events you want and placing bets. Our review team tests out each CO sportsbook, and you can find the data on usability in our reviews.
Payments
Don’t overlook the payment process when you’re choosing a sportsbook, as you’ll need to be able to make deposits and withdrawals if you’re betting with real money. The best CO sportsbooks we’ve reviewed accept a wide range of payment methods and make it as simple as possible for you to add funds and request payouts. In addition, legal and licensed sportsbooks make sure it’s safe by encrypting your data and ensuring you can deposit and withdraw funds with confidence.
Customer Support
While it may not seem as important when you’re first signing up, good customer support can make a big difference to your overall betting experience. If you ever have an issue with your account, it’s good to be able to quickly contact a member of the support team. Based on our research, the best CO betting sites allow you to get in touch through several different contact methods, including:
- FAQ pages
- Live chat
- Phone support
- Email address
Signing Up to a Colorado Sportsbook
Once you’re happy with your choice of sportsbook, you’ll need to create an account before you can start betting. This process is easier than you might think, though you will need to provide some personal details and verify your identity and location. Here’s a quick guide on getting started:
- Visit the sportsbook on your mobile or computer
- Choose the Sign Up option
- Enter your full details, including name, contact information, and address
- Agree to the sportsbook’s terms and conditions
- The site will then verify you’re in Colorado by using geolocation software
- You’ll need to upload a copy of your ID to prove you’re at least 21 years old
Making Deposits at CO Sportsbooks
While you might be able to claim a no deposit offer when you first join up, you’ll still need to make a deposit to get the most out of your sportsbook account. The deposit process can vary depending on the site you use, but all licensed CO betting sites offer safe and secure deposits.
Some popular deposit methods you can use at most sites include:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
Claiming Colorado Betting Promos
Almost all of the CO sportsbooks we’ve reviewed and tested offer bonuses when you sign up and bet. These are special rewards you can claim for completing certain requirements. Some bonuses are easier to claim than others, giving you funds simply for signing up, while others might require you to make a deposit and place a certain bet first. You can find promos for new and regular bettors, and most of the time, they offer a great way to get more value out of your bets.
One thing to note is that it’s always a good idea to read through the full terms and conditions before you try to claim any bonus. All promos have terms, and understanding them will help you get the most out of the offer. Here are some common terms and conditions to watch out for:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
Colorado Sportsbook Payout Guide
If you’re looking to cash out some of your winning bets or simply take funds out of your sportsbook account, you can start the payout process provided you have enough to cover the minimum withdrawal. At all good sportsbooks, this process is extremely simple, and it’s pretty similar to making a deposit.
While it varies depending on the site you use, here’s a step-by-step guide to completing your first withdrawal:
- Sign into your account and open up the cashier section
- Choose one of the available withdrawal methods
- Note that in most cases, you can only start a withdrawal with a method you previously used to make a deposit
- Enter the amount you’d like to withdraw, ensuring it’s above the minimum withdrawal amount
- Confirm the withdrawal and wait for the cash to reach you
The time it takes for your sportsbook to process a withdrawal will vary depending on the site you’re using. However, our research suggests that most CO betting sites will process within 24 hours. After that, the time it takes for your cash to reach you will depend on the method you use.
Here are some average withdrawal times for popular payment methods:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Betting on Mobile in CO
You’re not restricted to which device you can use to bet, as Colorado supports mobile betting as well. You can use a desktop computer, or if you prefer, log into your favorite sportsbook through your smartphone or tablet. All of the CO sportsbooks we’ve tested are fully compatible with mobile devices, and they all offer apps for you to download too.
While you can bet without downloading any software on your device if you prefer, mobile betting is even easier through a CO sportsbook app. This allows you to sign up, view the latest odds, watch live streams and place bets easily and quickly, no matter where you are in the state.
Popular Colorado Sports to Bet On
Colorado is big on sports and is home to some of the biggest sports franchises in the country. In fact, it has a sports franchise in each of the top sports leagues and is the least populated state with four big franchises.
NFL
Football is the country’s favorite sport, and it’s the biggest sport in Colorado too. Despite not winning a Super Bowl since 2015, most Colorado football fans follow the Denver Broncos. The Broncos may not be the most successful team in the NFL, but they did have a great run between 2011 and 2015, where they reached the playoffs every season.
NBA
While football might still be the biggest sport and the most popular sport to bet on, the NBA is growing fast, especially among younger generations and bettors. The Denver Nuggets are the pride of Colorado currently, recently winning Division titles in 2019, 2020, and 2023, and they won the NBA Championship for the first time in their history.
NHL
Hockey is huge in Colorado too, with a lot of fans following the NHL across the state. While you can bet on any NHL game, most people in CO prefer to bet on the Colorado Avalanche, which recently lifted its first Stanley Cup in 21 seasons and won the Division Championship in 2023.
MLB
MLB isn’t as popular in Colorado as some other leagues, but it’s hard to leave out due to being the oldest professional league in the country. Diehard fans will follow the Colorado Rockies, but as they have never won a World Series in their history, they haven’t had much to get excited about.
MLS
The MLS is growing rapidly in popularity across the country, and Colorado is no exception. Its franchise, the Colorado Rapids, is owned by local businessman Stan Kroenke, who also owns the Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets, as well as the LA Rams. So far, the team’s only success has been lifting the MLS Cup in 2010.
College Sports
Betting on college sports is completely legal in Colorado. You can even bet on games involving Colorado college-based teams. However, this does exclude player prop bets. Aside from that, most CO sportsbooks offer lots of markets on all major college games.
Why We Recommend Joining Multiple Betting Sites
There are lots of betting sites to choose from in Colorado, and you don’t have to limit yourself to just one site. In fact, we always recommend that you sign up to as many sportsbooks as possible. Although you can only have one account for each betting site, there’s nothing stopping you from joining all of the licensed CO sportsbooks. That way, you can make the most of all the benefits, including:
More Bonuses
Almost every CO sportsbook offers bonuses and special promotions as an incentive to sign up and start betting. You can claim one welcome bonus for each site, and there are often loads of regular promos to take advantage of too. The more sites you join, the more bonuses you’ll get to experience, and it can be worth it for the few minutes it takes to sign up.
Get the Best Odds
Better odds mean more profits from your winning bets, so it always makes sense to check which site has the best odds before you place a wager. By joining multiple sportsbooks, you can always compare odds quickly and find the most profitable option every time.
Enjoy More Features
Depending on the betting site you use, you can experience different features and benefits. For example, some sportsbooks may have a really great betting app, while others might prioritize the live betting experience. By testing them out for yourself, you can enjoy all the features on offer and work out which ones you like best.
CO Betting FAQ
Is it legal to bet on sports in Colorado?
Yes, sports betting was legalized in Colorado on May 1, 2020. Since then, the state has allowed the Colorado Division of Gaming to formally license and regulate both online and retail sportsbooks, which accept a wide range of bets on popular sports.
What is the minimum age to bet in Colorado?
To legally place a bet in Colorado, you need to be at least 21 years old. All sportsbooks will check your ID before you can place a real money bet, including retail locations and online betting sites.
Where can I bet on sports in Colorado?
Colorado offers legal betting on sports, but you’ll need to visit a licensed sportsbook to start placing bets. There are a number of licensed online sportsbooks, and Colorado is also home to a number of popular retail betting shops too.
How do you place a bet at a Colorado sportsbook online?
Placing a bet online is as simple as visiting one of the many licensed sites, signing up and making a deposit. You’ll need to sign up before you can bet in order to prove you’re above the minimum age, and once you’ve joined, you’re free to bet as much as you like, provided you have the available funds.
Are betting apps legal in Colorado?
Yes, mobile betting is also available in Colorado, and all good betting sites also offer a mobile app that you can download if you prefer. Betting from your app is incredibly convenient and lets you access all the latest odds and markets from your pocket.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
