Colorado was quick to jump on board with the online sports betting trend, and only 2 years after betting became legal in the US you could bet with a bookie online. Today, there are a combination of both online and retail betting options, including some of the biggest names in the business.
Here are the sportsbooks we recommend betting with in Colorado:
9.7
Rating
In bonus bets – guaranteed!
21+ and present in select states. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Betting Ladies Favorite
9.6
Rating
Betting Ladies members get a bonus!
Must be 21+ and present in CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, OH, NJ, NY, or VA. Void where prohibited. T&C Apply. If you or someone you know in CO, IL, LA, OH, or NJ has a gambling problem, Call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER. In IA, call 1-800-BETS-OFF. IN call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In MI, call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Gambling Disorder Help-line at: 800-270-7117. In NY, Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369). In VA, call 1-888-532-3500.
9.3
Rating
Betting Ladies members get a bonus!
Terms & Condition Apply. Available in all states but NY, DC, MS, PR and NV.
9.0
Rating
I first heard about sports betting being legal in Colorado back in 2021, but after some more research, I found out that sports betting was legalized in Colorado in November 2019, when Proposition DD passed. The state was very quick to jump on the sports betting bandwagon so, by May 2020, you could place bets from the comfort of your own home.
Compared to other states, Colorado’s sports betting legalization process was a very fast and drama-free one.
Colorado’s Sports Betting Regulations
As with any other form of betting, there are rules when it comes to sports betting. Here is what to keep in mind:
- The legal age for sports betting in Colorado is 21. If you are 21 or older, you are free to place sports bets with any registered and certified sportsbook in the state. If you’re younger than 21, you shouldn’t even be reading this article.
- Colorado’s tax rate on sports betting is only 10%. This is lower than in other states, which means that you get more action for your money. The best part about this is, in my opinion, that you get to place a wider range of bets on your favorite sports.
So, now that you know all about the rules of sports betting in Colorado, the next step is to find out where you can bet. Don’t worry, I did my homework about that, too.
Where to Bet IRL in Colorado for that Full Casino Vibe
The retail sports betting scene in Colorado is quite exclusive. The only places in which you can place in-person bets are Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. The advantage here is that these are truly charming towns and you get to enjoy some very pretty scenery, especially if you want to pair your betting adventure with a mountain trip in the Rockies.
If you want more diversity when it comes to retail betting spots, Black Hawk is the best choice, with 14 casinos you can visit. Next on the list is Cripple Creek with 10 casinos and Central City with only 6.
Between the three towns, you can place your bets at:
- Ameristar Casino Black Hawk
- Billy’s Casino
- Colorado Grande
- Golden Mardi Gras Casino
- Grand Z Casino
- Isle of Capri Casino
- Johnny Nolon’s
- Johnny Z’s Casino
- Lady Luck Casino
- Monarch Casino Blackhawk
- Red Dolly Casino
- Saratoga Casino
- Sasquatch Casino
- The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk
- Wild Card Casino
- Wildwood Casino
- Z Casino
The distance from Black Hawk to Central City is just about one mile, so you can easily visit them both and see which casino you like most from the ones they have to offer.
You’ll be happy to know that some of the casinos also offer accommodation, so you can make the most out of your stay.
Online Sports Betting in Colorado
9.7
Rating
In bonus bets – guaranteed!
21+ and present in select states. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Betting Ladies Favorite
9.6
Rating
Betting Ladies members get a bonus!
Must be 21+ and present in CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, OH, NJ, NY, or VA. Void where prohibited. T&C Apply. If you or someone you know in CO, IL, LA, OH, or NJ has a gambling problem, Call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER. In IA, call 1-800-BETS-OFF. IN call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In MI, call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Gambling Disorder Help-line at: 800-270-7117. In NY, Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369). In VA, call 1-888-532-3500.
9.3
Rating
Betting Ladies members get a bonus!
Terms & Condition Apply. Available in all states but NY, DC, MS, PR and NV.
9.0
Rating
If you are a true homebody or want to spend most of your visit to Colorado sightseeing, I have great news for you – you can place sports bets online in Colorado. That means that you can visit all the nice places in the state while also placing bets on your favorite platform. All you need is to have your phone or laptop with you, a stable Internet connection, and you’re set.
The number of legal online operators is 19, which means you have plenty of apps and platforms to choose from. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are just a few of the big names in the game and they offer everything from straight bets to parlays.
Sign up with any of the online sports betting platforms available on this page and you can take the fun with you, whether you’re skiing in Aspen or taking a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
What to Bet on in Colorado? (Spoiler Alert: The Broncos Are Kind of a Big Deal)
Here comes the exciting part: what are Coloradans actually betting on? Unsurprisingly, the Denver Broncos fans bet like there’s no tomorrow, whether they are having a good season or not. That’s a level of trust and support we can appreciate.
If football isn’t really your jam, the Denver Nuggets have been drawing in tons of attention, especially with MVP Nikola Jokic lighting up the court (and our hearts).
We cannot forget about the Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rockies who also have very loyal fanbases that keep the bets rolling.
Is Esports Betting in Colorado Legal?
Esports betting is not yet allowed in Colorado, but do not let that kill your vibe. There is some chatter that this could change in the near future, so esports could eventually make its way onto the betting scene.
The History of Sports Betting in Colorado
While the well-known history of legal sports betting in Colorado starts in 2019, I was surprised to find out, during my research, that the state dipped its toes in the world of legal gambling almost 10 years before this moment.
In 2008, Colorado made 25/7 casino gambling legal through Initiative 50. This represented the groundwork for something bigger, which came to life in 2019. This is when lawmakers decided to seriously explore the idea of legalizing sports betting. Compared to other states, there were no messy fights, so everything went down smoothly.
The House Bill 1237 was introduced in April 2019 and it quickly landed on the Governor’s desk, who signed it into law.
Only a few months later, in November 2019, sports betting was officially legalized through the passing of Proposition DD.
It didn’t take long for operators to set up shop, so by May 2020, Coloradoans had both land-based and online sports betting options to choose from.
Now you have all the information you need on sports betting in Colorado. It’s time to plan for that trip!
Visit Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, or Central City if you want to have the full casino experience, socialize, and make some new friends.
If, however, you want to move around from place to place and visit as many attractions in the state as possible, sign up with one of the online betting sites here and take the fun with you on the road!
