Best Colorado Gambling Sites
Sports betting is now officially live in Colorado with online Sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps set and ready to accept bets across the state.
It has officially been live since May 1. 2020. The passing of the law now gives players the chance to place real money wagers on their favorite sports. Legal online sports betting is now thriving with numerous top-quality Colorado sportsbooks available. Here, we will take a look at the best legal sportsbooks and apps that are available in the Centennial State.
Sports betting has quickly grown in Colorado, with CO sports betting apps looking to replicate the success in other states such as New Jersey. Local Colorado casinos, such as BetMonarch, the Sky Ute Casino Resort, Z Casino, and Lodge Casino, and established national brands, like Caesars Sports, FanDuel Sportsbook, and DraftKings offer legal sports betting options to Coloradans. Players were quick to take advantage of these online sportsbooks, too. These online sportsbook sites are expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue in 2024.
Choosing the best sportsbook app can be quite overwhelming with well over two dozen licensed sports betting brands to choose from in Colorado. We have created a list of the best Colorado sports betting sites for local players to choose from including details of the Colorado sports betting law and how it fits in within the overall sports betting industry.
Keep your eyes peeled as more sportsbooks are due to go live throughout the year as the Colorado online sports betting market continues to expand. Let’s take a look at the best online sports betting legal options in the state.
Best Colorado Sports Betting Sites
#1. DraftKings Sportsbook
The DraftKings Colorado sportsbook is one of the top options for people looking to place a sports bet in the state. DraftKings initially achieved success through its daily fantasy sports contests but has grown into the online sportsbook behemoth it is today. The company offers lines on virtually every sport, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, UFC, and more. You can also place prop and future bets and wager on live sports for select events. DraftKings also has teasers and parlays for multiple sports.
New players are rewarded with $150 back in bonus bets when you deposit at least $5. The bonus bets come in the form of site credits.
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
#2. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has done an amazing job of transitioning itself to an online product, especially when you compare it to other established casino brands that have struggled with that leap. The BetMGM sportsbook app recently went through an upgrade resulting in a more modern platform, which is available in Colorado.
Although it doesn’t offer as many features as its online-first sites, it still has plenty to keep players occupied, including parlays and the awesome BetMGM loyalty program. The navigation on the app is a breeze thanks to a well-laid-out structure. The minimum deposit at BetMGM is just $10 making it a great option for those new to sports betting in the state.
New players can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets, which is one of the most generous among any Colorado sports betting app.
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
#3. Caesars Sportsbook
Anybody who has visited the Las Vegas strip, or has a little experience in gambling will have heard of the Caesars brand. The company has been going since 1934, and it first launched William Hill US in 2012. However, it was recently rebranded to Caesars Sportsbook in 2021.
Caesars has plenty of sports to bet on in Colorado, including well-known domestic classics like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, in addition to more niche sports like rugby, tennis, and darts. You can wager on these with the help of exciting features like Caesars parlay options and the cash out feature.
New customers can take advantage of the welcome bonus which consists of a first bet on Caesars up to $1,000 and also 1,000 Reward Credits® & 1,000 Tier Credits. If your first bet loses, your account will be credited with a bonus bet for the same amount of your lost bet.
- Great Mobile App
- Brilliant Welcome Bonus
- Range Of Bet Types
There are now several sports betting apps available to wager on in Colorado. A handful of operators wanted to have a presence from the day CO online gambling was made officially legal. The apps allow you to bet on the go as long as you are aged 21 or over, and physically located within state borders.
Like any legal operator, you can sign up from anywhere across the country, but you need to be in a legalized state before placing your bets. You do not need to be a resident of Colorado to bet on a CO sportsbook, you just have to physically be in state lines.
Sportsbooks and betting apps that are live in Colorado include:
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- betway Sportsbook
- bet365 Sportsbook
- SuperBook
- Betsafe Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Betfred Sports
- Circa Sports
- BetMonarch
- Elite Sportsbook (Red Dolly Casino)
- BetWildwood
- Sky Ute Sportsbook (Sky Ute Casino)
- Play Maverick Sports
- Bally Bet
*Please note, Fox Bet no longer accepts wagers, theScore Bet is no longer in the US, and WynnBet recently pulled out of CO.
You will be required to ensure your location settings are on before you bet. Your device will use geolocation technology to check you are in Colorado before allowing you to place wagers. Colorado online sports betting has been legal in the state now for several months and so far has been a huge success. You can now bet using one of the sportsbooks for all your favorite sports like football, basketball, and soccer betting.
Some prominent state casinos have partnered with the above operators to provide sports betting. For example, the Mardi Gras Casino teamed up with DraftKings, while Betfred joined forces with Saratoga Casino.
Sports Betting in Colorado: How Did We Get Here:
Sports betting in the Centennial State was legalized in November of 2019. This followed the state legislature approving the Colorado sports betting bill in the summer of the same year. It is reported 1.3 million people voted on the bill—the bill passed by 20,000 votes.
Following the US Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA in 2018, the general attitude towards sports betting across the states has changed. It took almost a year for a bill to legalize sports betting. Bill H 1327 passed through the Colorado House and the Senate Finance with ease.
The law in Colorado required a vote due to a restriction on implementing new taxes known as a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR.) Any motion put forward that will increase taxes on Colorado residents must receive a popular vote.
The sports betting law in CO creates three types of licenses, which are:
- Master license
- Sports betting operator
- Internet sports betting operator
All 33 of the tribal casinos in Colorado can apply for a master license. The law requires a casino to partner with a land-based operator and an internet operator and then share the same online/mobile iGaming platform.
There is a 10% tax rate placed on CO sports betting. The current law does not allow wagers on either esports or high school sports. Sports betting in the state is regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Sports betting officially started in Colorado on May 1, 2020. Colorado fantasy sports (DFS) has been allowed in the state since 2015 and has proved very popular with players. Online CO betting sites will be hoping that players who enjoy playing DFS will feel equally at home wagering in the state.
Legal Sports Betting Apps in Colorado
When Colorado approved Proposition DD, the Colorado Division of Gaming created a raft of rules governing the state’s new sportsbooks. These rules protect the bettors and ensure their personal information is secure.
Users can download the app and create an account from anywhere. However, if they are not in Colorado, then bettors cannot place wagers. The online sportsbook registration processes verify bettors’ ages. Even if someone underage downloads a sportsbook app, they won’t make it through the registration process.
How Sports Betting In Colorado Works
There are 31 commercial casinos in Colorado. These are in Black Hawk, Century City, and Cripple Creek. There are also two tribal casinos in the state. The tribes can add any games as long as they have been authorized elsewhere in CO.
The law dictates that each casino can apply for a master license for sports betting. If a casino obtains a master license, it can offer both mobile and retail wagering. Moreover, a license holder can partner with up to two strategic operators. These give operators the option to use a company for online sports betting or land-based sports betting.
For example, the Ameristar sportsbook (found inside The Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk) will most likely be partnered with Barstool Sports. This comes after Penn National Gaming acquired Barstool Sports, which will inevitably turn them into a sportsbook operator.
How does Colorado compare to other states?
Any serious online sports bettor would struggle to find another US state that is as appealing as Colorado. The restrictions on sports betting in this state aren’t as strict as other locations. For example, in Colorado, you can bet on in-state college sports unlike in New Jersey. Additionally, unlike in places such as Nevada, Colorado doesn’t require in-person registration.
Colorado Sports Betting Rules & Regulations
Before any Colorado bettor signs up for a sports betting account, it is worth knowing all of the rules and regulations surrounding online wagering in the state. Statewide sports betting was legalized by The Colorado General Assembly in May 2019. However, the final decision was made by voters in November of that year. A constitutional amendment requires that any legislation proposed which would raise taxes has to go to the ballot for approval. Gov. Jared Polis signed Bill HB 1327 and after being approved by voters it became law. The bill contains some key information, including the following core principles:
- You can legally wager at online and retail sportsbooks
- The state gives licenses to operators that partner with casinos
- Sportsbooks are taxed at a rate of 10%
Following this, there are three different types of licenses in Colorado:
- Master License: Kept for the state’s 33 casinos
- Sports Betting Operator: Physical retail sportsbook operator
- Online Sports Betting Operator: One online skin per land-based casino
All 33 casinos in the state are permitted to apply for a master license. To apply, casinos will need to pay a $10,000 initial fee, in addition to a two-year $125,000 licensing fee. Any approved casino can then sign a deal with a land-based sportsbook or online betting site.
How to Download a CO Sports betting app
If you are interested in CO mobile sports betting, it is worth downloading the dedicated app from the sportsbook of your choice. Just remember that you can download an app from anywhere, but you will need to be in Colorado to bet.
The best sports betting apps to use in Colorado are:
- BetMGM Sports
- BetRivers
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
To download, visit the website of your preferred sportsbook. There will likely be buttons for both Android and iOS users. iPhone users can download apps through the usual methods on the App Store. However, please make sure the sportsbook you choose does have a dedicated app and not just a mobile site. You can use Colorado sports betting apps to bet anywhere in the state. They are also useful for checking out scores and also odds such as Super Bowl odds before deciding what to place your bet on.
Bonuses & Promotions
When you sign up at a new CO sportsbook, you will get access to some bonus offers, sportsbook bonus bets, and promotions. Sometimes you may need to use a sportsbook promo code to claim the signup offer, other times, there is no need to use a code. They are worthwhile, and sportsbooks will compete for customers by offering a variety of attractive proposals. However, you must check the terms and conditions of any offer. The small print may indicate that the bonus offer might not be worth your time. Some typical types of promotions a sportsbook offers include:
- Free Bets (Money you can wager but not redeem)
- Odds Boost
- Deposit Bonus
- Insurance (A portion of the bet will be refunded if it loses)
It is worth scouting the market to see what bonus offers and promotions are out there. Some sportsbooks will also run ongoing promotions such as a loyalty program to reward players who stick around. Additionally, look out for promos that target specific major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NBA playoffs, the World Series, or the Stanley Cup.
Betting Markets in Colorado
The significant professional sports, as well as college football, make up the majority of wagers at legal US sportsbooks. At the moment, the available sports you will be able to bet on in Colorado include:
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Ice Hockey
- Soccer
Since the state legalized sports betting, NFL wagering has been particularly popular in the Colorado sports betting market.
Type of Bets Available
As online gambling has continued to grow, so too have the different kinds of bets available. The most common types of bets available include:
- Futures
- Moneylines
- Parlays
- Point spreads
- Propositions
- Round robins
- Teasers
- Totals (over/under)
One of the most popular forms of betting not mentioned in the list above is live betting. Most US sportsbooks offer this. This allows players to make a bet during a game or event that is in progress. This adds to the excitement for customers who are watching.
Partial game results are possibly the most popular form of live betting. A sportsbook may provide odds on a team being ahead at half time, but the final result is irrelevant. This is a desirable proposition for online bettors as you can often get attractive odds.
Colorado Sports Teams
There are loads of professional sports teams in Colorado that Colorado sports bettors and visitors to the state can bet on. Colorado is one of the smallest states population-wise to have a team in every major sports league. Teams available to bet on in the state include
- Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
- Denver Barbarians (Rugby Super League)
- Denver Outlaws (Major League Lacrosse)
- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Rapids (MLS)
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox (AAA Baseball)
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (United Soccer League)
- Colorado Mammoth (National Lacrosse League)
- Colorado Eagles (East Coast Hockey League)
- Grand Junction Rockies (Minor league baseball)
- Glendale Raptors (Pacific Rugby Premiership)
College Teams to bet on
- Colorado Buffaloes Football (NCAA)
- Colorado Buffaloes Basketball (NCAA)
- Colorado State Rams Men’s Basketball (NCAA)
- Colorado State Rams Men’s Football (NCAA)
Betting on college sports is allowed in Colorado, although prop betting is prohibited. Wagering on high school sports and esports is strictly prohibited in the Centennial State. Since launching, sports betting in Denver has seen the biggest uptake from bettors.
What is the Future of Colorado Sports Betting?
According to industry analysts, sports betting in Colorado is poised to generate $6 billion in annual betting. It may have lost some early impetus due to launching in the middle of a global pandemic, but revenue will be created once the industry has matured. Now that sports betting is legal in the state, there is hope that players will move away from illegal offshore operators like bovada and 5Dimes and choose a regulated operator instead. This will boost the sports betting revenue in the state, as lots more people move to legal options to bet on sports.
More online sports betting sites will enter their market with their apps as the industry continues to get bigger, so if you are a sports bettor in Colorado, your choice of betting apps is only going to increase.