Colorado Sports Betting

Colorado Sports Betting Quick Facts

Colorado Betting Apps

PointsBet Sportsbook

With in-game betting becoming more popular by the day, PointsBet gets a slight nod over the rest of Colorado’s top-tier books by offering one of the widest arrays of in-game betting and prop opportunities. PointsBet also has one of the largest portfolios of sports offerings in the business, which is a big plus.

Check out our PointsBet sportsbook review.

BetMGM Sportsbook

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a sports betting app that offers more in the way of promos and contests than BetMGM. Between the Money Monday Club, King of the Weekend and the hilarious 8-bit Barry game, along with its Parlay Plus promotion, BetMGM has all the bases covered when it comes to player perks.

Check out our BetMGM sportsbook review.

Caesars Sportsbook

One of the most iconic brands in U.S. sports betting, Caesars has earned its place among the top Caesars operators on the strength of an easy-to-navigate interface and a trove of in-game betting options. And while their $5,000 risk-free bet is no longer available, its current offer is still better than most.

Check out our Caesars sportsbook review.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel still has appeal even if some of its early innovations are no longer best-in-class. Beginners and experts alike will rave about the app’s clean interface, and the availability of free plays for members is a nice touch. But the same-game parlays offer no edge – and FD is no longer alone in the SGP space.

Check out our FanDuel sportsbook review.

Barstool Sportsbook

The Barstool brand has a love-hate relationship with the general public, but the sports betting app is worth a look no matter what side of the fence you’re on. The “Move the Line” scroller gives you instant access to alternate lines and totals, and Barstool has one of the largest selection of sports from which to choose.

Check out our Barstool sportsbook review.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings might be a little further down the list than some expect, but it’s actually above average in several areas (including payout speed, available markets, and ease of interface use). But the lack of a phone option for customer service is a significant strike against an otherwise strong app.

Check out our DraftKings sportsbook review.

Tipico Sportsbook

Tipico has been listening to the crowd. The Europe-based operator lowered the rollover on its $750 risk-free bet from 3x to 1x, matching the industry standard and endearing itself to those it had alienated. Still, with no live streaming option and low limits on boosts, Tipico still has plenty of work to do.

Check out our Tipico sportsbook review.

Circa Sportsbook

You will almost certainly rank Circa Sports higher or lower based on what kind of player you are. High rollers will love the fact that Circa easily has the highest limits across the board of any sportsbook in the United States. Beginners, on the other hand, might stay away due to the fact that Circa doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus.

Check out our Circa sportsbook review.

WynnBET Sportsbook

Talk about an ugly first impression. WynnBET used to have a $1,000 risk-free bet but is now offering just $200 in free wagers – though you only need a $10 minimum deposit to access them. There’s also a major disconnect between the quality of the app (very good) and that of the desktop experience (super-terrible).

Check out our WynnBET sportsbook review.

FOX Bet Sportsbook

Coloradoans will love some of what FOX Bet offers: Namely, reduced vig on local teams and strong futures odds compared with the rest of the industry. But don’t expect big props markets here – you won’t find them. The bonus offers and ongoing promos also fall short, which is a red flag.

Check out our FOX Bet sportsbook review.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers does well to organize its live betting section and has a strong offering of alternate lines and props. But that’s pretty much where the kudos end: The app’s interface is an eyesore, and the $250 deposit match is one of the least impressive bonuses among the major Colorado sportsbook operators.

Check out our BetRivers sportsbook review.

SI Sportsbook

Much like the website, the SI Sportsbook app layout is subpar, though it is slightly easier to navigate than the website. 

The app is less cluttered, and the promotions ribbon is easier to find, along with a clearly marked icon that allows you to explore bonuses and promos further. But the betting slip is cumbersome and forces users to work a little harder to find the information they're looking for.

  Check out our SI Sportsbook sportsbook review.  

How to Bet in Colorado

Choose your sportsbook

Consult our top list above for the best sports betting options available to you in Colorado. Our interactive list allows you to sort sportsbooks based on a number of criteria, including banking options, bonuses and quality of customer service.

If you’re looking for more information before making your choice, be sure to check out our detailed, unbiased reviews for each of the top sportsbooks in Colorado. This is especially important if you want to understand how each book’s bonus offers work.

Register online

Registration requirements vary slightly by sportsbook, but most follow the same protocols. Be sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) handy.

Deposit and claim your bonus

Once you’re comfortable with how your sportsbook’s new signup bonus works, it’s time to make your initial deposit and claim that sweet bonus. The majority of first-time offers for Coloradoans come in one of two forms:

• Risk-free bets: This offer guarantees you a refund on your first wager if it is graded as a loss. The sportsbook will refund your initial bet amount (up to a specific limit) either as cash or as site credit.
  
  
• Deposit match: This offer sees the sportsbook match your initial deposit dollar-for-dollar, though there are two caveats. The deposit match will come with a maximum limit, and in the majority of cases you will be required to “play through” your initial deposit by a certain multiple in order to earn the bonus.

Select and finalize your bet

Congratulations! You’re ready to place a wager. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app interface before diving in. Most mobile operators make it easy for new sports bettors to navigate, but it’s still a good idea to know where everything is.

From there, you can place any type of wager you like; the most popular bet types are the moneyline, spread or total. You can also dive into team or player props, or even kick things off with a futures bet.

Once you have the desired wager(s) in your betting card, take one last look to ensure you’ve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply click the “Bet” button – and you’re off!

Colorado Legal Sports Betting History

Gambling has long been a part of Colorado’s fabric, dating back to activity in the state’s frontier towns in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Fast forward nearly 120 years, and the process to add Colorado to the collection of states with sports betting legislation was a relatively painless one relative to the rest of the country.

Here’s a look at Colorado’s legal sports betting history:

2019: Voters pass slim majority

Representative Alec Garrett introduced House Bill 19-1327, aimed at legalizing sports betting in the state. Highlights of the bill included:

• Owners of casinos in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek) were the only persons or entities eligible to hold a "master license" to conduct sports betting upon paying a license fee and submitting to background checks.
• A voter referendum would be held in November 2019 to determine whether the state’s casinos will be eligible to apply for licenses to offer in-person and/or online sports wagering.
• The state would tax gross gaming revenue at a rate of 10 percent.

The bill passed through without issue and was signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis on May 29, 2019.

That left Colorado Proposition DD as the only remaining step to complete – and the result was a tight one, with just 51.4 percent of voters in favor of the statute. That vote cleared the way for sports betting to become legal sometime in 2020.

2020: Online sports betting explodes

May 2020 is a big one for the state, as sports betting kicks off with four online operators in the marketplace (BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel). The timing, however, isn’t good for retail sportsbooks, which are forced to shut down shortly after the online launch due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the start, it was clear that Colorado was going to be one of the least restrictive states in the country when it came to online sportsbook licenses. By the end of the year, a whopping 15 mobile operators were in the space.

2021: Rocky Mountain Revenues Soar

Continuing its reputation as the state with doors wide open, a trio of major players joined the fray. Barstool Sportsbook began operating in Colorado just prior to the start of the 2021 NFL season, while SI Sportsbook (in tandem with 888) joined the following month. Bet365 received its approval to join the market before year’s end.

The sheer number of online operators carved a pathway to massive revenue for the operators (and tax income for the state). Despite ranking near the middle of the pack in population nation-wide, Colorado generated an incredible $3.83 billion in handle for the calendar year while becoming one of the first states to reach the $5 billion mark overall.

2022: Record Handles in CO

The new year saw several major developments in Colorado sports betting:

• The state’s $573.7 million in handle for January established a new record, besting the old mark of $491.5 million from the previous October.
• Colorado put up another $500-million tally in March, buoyed by the frenzy of March Madness.
• Garrett, Colorado’s Speaker of the House, introduced House Bill 1402, designed to reduce the percentage of handle operators can write off as free bets. The figure, presently sitting at 10 percent, will shrink to 2.5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2023 and gradually shrink to 1.75 percent from June 1, 2026 onward. The bill, which directs some of the additional tax revenue to problem gaming programs within the state, has yet to be signed into law.

Responsible Gaming in Colorado

Like most states, Colorado’s state gaming authority has put safeguards in place to ensure that bettors have a way out of any potential trouble spots. 

Players who want to engage in self-exclusion can do so either through the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado, or through their online sportsbooks (which also allow bettors to set daily, weekly or monthly limits on deposits and/or wagers. 

Visit the Colorado Gaming Association site.

Sports Leagues to Bet On

It will come as no surprise to see a rather extensive list of major professional and amateur sports available to Colorado bettors – a list that includes (but is not limited to):

• NFL
• NCAA Football
• NBA
• NCAA Basketball
• MLB
• NHL
• Golf
• Auto Racing
• Tennis
• Soccer
• MMA
• Esports

That doesn’t leave much off the table, but there are two major markets in which wagering in Colorado is prohibited:

• Politics
• Entertainment (including awards shows)

Colorado Teams to Bet On

Denver might not carry the same sterling reputation for sports fandom as larger cities like New York, Chicago or Boston – but the passion is real. The NFL’s Denver Broncos have the longest active sell-out streak in the league at more than 400 games, while the NHL’s Avalanche and NBA’s Nuggets have also been big draws in recent years.

Here’s a look at the sports betting picture relating to Colorado’s big four professional sports teams:

Denver Broncos Betting

Big-name sportsbooks clamored to join forces with the Broncos – and BetFred gained a significant early edge thanks to a partnership agreement that included a sports betting lounge on a lawn outside Empower Field at Mile High.The activation lounge included a bar, entertainment system and on-site sportsbook.

BetMGM and FanDuel have since signed partnership arrangements with the franchise, with BetMGM planning to install its own lounge on the Level 1 concourse.

Colorado Rockies Betting

DraftKings emerged out of thin air (Get it? Because Denver is a high-altitude city?) to become not only the Rockies’ first sports betting operator, but also its official DFS provider. And while signage, branding and DK-inspired giveaways make up the bulk of the partnership, fans should expect to see a sportsbook at Coors Field at some point. 

Denver Nuggets Betting

A visit to Ball Arena wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the PointsBet Club Level, the crown jewel of the sportsbook operator’s partnership with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. PointsBet Club Level offers patrons access to a host of premium amenities, including the Truly Club, Colorado Social and private event spaces.   

Colorado Avalanche Betting

Branding Ball Arena’s premium sections isn’t the only impact PointsBet has had on the mile-high venue. PointsBet has also gone the extra step to upgrade the arena’s Wi-Fi, giving visitors one of the best mobile experiences of any sports venue in the U.S. (and thereby making it even easier for customers to place wagers from the game).

Colorado Retail Sportsbooks

Some players prefer the old-school, in-person, cash-and-ticket method of sports betting. Yet, while those options are plentiful in Colorado, players have just three cities to choose from when it comes to brick-and-mortar betting options. Here are the places where you can bet at in-person sportsbooks in the Centennial State:

Ameristar Casino Black Hawk (Barstool Sportsbook, 111 Richman Street, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Bally's Black Hawk (DraftKings Sportsbook, 300 Main Street Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Grand Z Casino (Play Maverick Sports, 321 Gregory St, Central City, CO, 80427)

Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk (Caesars Sportsbook, 401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Johnny Z’s Casino (Play Maverick Sports, 101 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Lady Luck Casino (Caesars Sportsbook, 340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Monarch Casino Resort Spa (BetMonarch, 488 Main St, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Red Dolly Casino (Elite Sportsbook, 530 Gregory Street, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Saratoga Casino Black Hawk (BetFred Sportsbook, 101 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk (SuperBook, 240 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO, 80422)

Wildwood Hotel and Casino (Woody's Sportsbook, 119 Carbonate Street, Cripple Creek, CO, 80813)

[NOTE: The sportsbook at Bronco Billy's Casino (TwinSpires, 233 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO, 80813) is CLOSED. Winning bet tickets can be redeemed at the Bronco Billy's Cage.]

Colorado Sports Betting Tax & Handle

Like several other notable states, Colorado kicked off its era of legal sports betting just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. For that reason, the first few months of regulated wagering in the state produced underwhelming revenue and handle figures – but that quickly changed as sports returned.

Colorado rode a strong December to a $1.2-billion opening year, then improved on that figure with four straight months of $400+ million handle to end 2021. Here’s a look at Colorado’s monthly handle beginning in May 2020:

2020

2021

2022

With the overwhelming majority of Colorado’s retail sportsbook action limited to just two communities, it’s no surprise that the state generates a higher percentage of handle via mobile (98.7 percent in February 2022) than any other notable state with regulated sports wagering. And having 26 active mobile sportsbooks doesn’t hurt, either.

Colorado taxes sportsbooks at a rather reasonable rate of 10 percent.