Stephen Campbell
Colorado sports betting is now fully legal after the Centennial State legalized it in 2019, becoming the 19th state to do so. However, unlike other states, Colorado added a 10% sports gambling tax to the Colorado sports betting bill that would support Colorado’s water conservation initiatives.
The bill passed at 51 to 40 and the first sportsbooks were launched in 2020. Sports bettors can also bet at Colorado’s brick and mortar casinos, and mobile betting is also legal here now. Sports betting is regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control.
In this article, we’ll be taking a complete look at Colorado sports betting, including the top 5 sports betting providers, how to place a bet, and the in’s and out’s of what you can and can’t do.
Online Sports Betting In Colorado
Top 5 Colorado Sports Betting Apps
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How Legal Sports Betting Works In Colorado
Sports Betting Launch
Casino gaming has been legal in three towns in Colorado since 1991, with state casinos recording $842.1 million in profits in 2018. But while the state has actively championed progressive causes over the years, including same-sex marriage and even marijuana, sports betting has been off the table for a long time.
The legalization of sports betting in Colorado goes back to November 2019 when the Colorado bill was narrowly approved 51 to 49. From then onwards, casinos were allowed to accept sports bets, while sports betting apps were legally allowed to launch in the state.
Colorado also quickly became only the sixth U.S. state to permit mobile betting in 2019 legally.
How To Bet On Sports?
If you’ve been unable to place a bet until now, you’ll be wondering how to actually bet on sports. Fortunately, the process is super simple and can be completed in just a few quick steps:
- Choose a sportsbook that’s right for you
- Create an account and make your first deposit
- Grab the welcome bonus
- Take a look at the various sports and markets, and choose a match you’d like to bet on
- Take a closer look at the betting options and odds
- Pick a bet
- Enter your stake
- Press ‘place bet’
Which Colorado Casinos Have Sportsbooks?
The state of Colorado has a huge amount of sportsbooks. The good news is that many of them are now offering sportsbooks. However, while some casinos have already announced their partnerships and installed their sportsbooks, some have hinted that they will be launching an as yet unnamed sports betting site on their premises in the near future.
Here are the casinos we know that have known sportsbooks on-site:
- Saratoga Casino – BetFred
- Double Eagle Casino – PointsBet
- Bronco Billy’s Casino – Wynn Sports
- Golden Gates Casino – FanDuel
- Golden Gulch Casino – DraftKings
- Golden Mardi Gras Casino – FanDuel
- The Lodge Casino – SuperBook
- Century Casinos – Circa Sports
- Century Casinos – Bet365
- Isle Casino – William Hill
- Lady Luck Casino – William Hill
- Wildwood Casino – ISI Race & Sports
- Monarch Casino – BetMonarch
- JP McGills Casino – BetRivers
- Midnight Rose Casino – BetMGM Sportsbook
- AmeriStar Casino – Barstool Bets
- Bronco Billy’s Christmas Casino – BetAmerica
- The Gilpin Casino – theScore Bet
- Sky Ute Casino – US Bookmaking
Meanwhile, here are the casinos that are planning to launch sportsbooks in the near future:
- The Brass Ass Casino
- Dostal Alley Saloon
- Bull Durham Casino
- Red Dolly Casino
- Z Casino
- Easy Street Casino
- Sasquatch Casino
- The Famous Bonanza Casino
- The Wild Card Saloon
- Grand Z Casino Hotel
- Colorado Grande Casino
- Johnny Z’s Casino
- Johnny Nolon’s Casino
CO Sports Betting Partnerships
Sports betting apps aren’t legal unless they enter into a partnership with a physical casino located within the state.
As well as the sports betting partnerships mentioned above, it’s worth mentioning Colorado’s two most lucrative sports betting partnerships:
- PointsBet
- Bet365
However, Iowans aren’t allowed to bet on player awards, including Rookie Player of the Year.
As mentioned earlier, a bet that isn’t available in Iowa is props betting on college games. You also can’t bet on the NFL draft, while minor leagues and amateur leagues are also strictly off Iowa limits.
Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Rewards
One thing that makes sports betting so appealing (especially to recreational sports bettors) is the bonuses and rewards.
The exact bonuses and rewards vary from betting site to betting site, but here are the most popular types of bonuses and rewards you should look out for:
PointsBet entered into a partnership with Cripple Creek’s Double Eagle Casino, as well as another one with the University of Colorado. They are expected to launch a mobile betting app in the state soon.
Bet365, meanwhile, is one of the world’s most trusted sports betting apps, with many of its customers based in the UK. To help ease it into the U.S. market, it secured a partnership with Century Casinos, Inc.
Bet365 also has partnerships in New Jersey and New York.
What Can You Bet On Right Now In Colorado?
There are pretty much no restrictions on what you can bet on in Colorado. It’s legal to bet on all pro sports, as well as all college sports, with only high school sports being off-limits.
There are question marks over props betting, however, with not all of them allowed. Some eSports are banned, too. It’s up to the Colorado Division of Gaming and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control to decide what props are and are not permitted. What we know at the time of writing is that, while you can place moneyline bets on college games, you can’t place prop bets.
Other than that, you’re free to bet on whatever sport takes your fancy (provided the sportsbook offers it). Here is a rundown of most of the sports you can bet on in Colorado:
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Darts
- eSports
- Fishing
- Aussie Rules
- Badminton
- Bandy
- Baseball
- Handball
- American football
- Athletics
- Horse racing
- Ice hockey
- MMA/UFC
- Motorsports
- Netball
- Basketball
- Beach volleyball
- Bowls
- Boxing
- Chess
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Formula 1
- GAA
- Golf
- Greyhounds
- Pool
- Rugby league
- Rugby union
- Snooker
- Table tennis
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- WWE
As well as sports, you can also bet on all the major professional sporting events, such as the World Cup (soccer), the U.S. Open (tennis), the World Series (baseball), and – of course – the Super Bowl.
You can also bet on things like March Madness, along with politics and entertainment. As said, though, the exact things you can bet on depending on their availability with a specific sportsbook.
What Bets Are Available At Sportsbooks In Colorado?
If you’re new to sports betting now that it’s legal in Colorado, you might be wondering what types of bets you can place.
Here is a rundown and explanation of the most popular types of bets that are available:
- Moneyline – The moneyline bet is the most popular among American sports bettors. It’s super simple, and all you have to do is bet on who you think will win a match. For example, you might bet on the Lakers to beat the Knicks.
- Point spread – Another bet that’s really popular with American sports bettors is the point spread. It’s kinda like the moneyline bet, but instead of simply backing a particular team to win, you’re instead backing them to win (or lose) by a specific number of points.
For example, let’s say a sportsbook has pegged the favorites at -8.5 in an NHL game. If you place a wager on them, they must win by at least 9 points in order for you to make a profit.
In the point spread bet, a (-) sign always represents the favorite, and a (+) sign always represents the underdog.
- Over/under – The over/under bet is available in most sports, but it varies slightly. For example, in an NBA game, a sportsbook will set a predicted combined total number of points scored by both teams. Let’s say the Lakers are playing the Clippers, and the sportsbook predicts they will score 190.5 points between them. It’s then up to you to decide whether you think the true outcome will be over or under.
In soccer, the over/under bet typically refers to total goals scored. In tennis, it refers to the total number of games, and so on.
- Futures bets – Futures bets are bets that you can place on future events, such as the Super Bowl. The cool thing about them is that they give you something to root for during a whole season because you can place your bet before the regular season has even started. The payouts can be huge, too.
Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Rewards
Any sportsbook you sign up to will offer bonuses and rewards, but some will offer more than others. Here are some bonuses and rewards to look out for:
- Welcome bonus – Otherwise known as a sign-up bonus, the welcome bonus is exclusive to new players. It’s usually a match deposit bonus, such as the $500 match deposit bonus offered by DraftKings sportsbook, but sometimes it’s simply a free bet. To grab the welcome bonus, you normally have to make the first deposit, although some sites offer no deposit bonuses.
- Reload bonus – The reload bonus is similar to the welcome bonus in that the sports betting site will match your second and third deposits. However, the exact amount you get is typically less than the first deposit.
- Risk-free bet – A risk-free bet is common at sports betting sites that are aimed at recreational bettors, such as William Hill. Free bets are usually small and no bigger than $1, and they must be used on specific sports.
- Rebates – Sometimes, a sports betting site will refund you a percentage of all losses on a particular sport over a set number of days. For example, they might refund 10% of all your tennis bets that you lost over the course of a particular weekend.
Colorado Sports Betting Laws
Sports betting was legalized in late 2019. It’s regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control, and you must be at least 21 years of age in order to place a wager legally.
Other than that, Colorado sports betting laws are actually pretty simple. You’re allowed to bet on all pro and college sports, with the only exceptions being high school sports. Some prop bets are also not allowed, such as those in college games.
It’s also worth pointing out that you can’t bet via offshore sports betting sites, such as Bovada. You must only bet with a state-approved sports betting site, such as the top 5 we mentioned at the start of this article.
Colorado Sports Betting FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal In Colorado?
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Colorado since November 2019, when the bill was passed 51% to 49%.
When Can Colorado Residents Start Placing Bets?
Colorado residents can start placing bets as soon as they’ve signed up to a legal sports betting site.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Legally Bet In Colorado?
You must be aged 21 to bet in Colorado legally.
Is It Legal To Bet On Colorado Sports Teams?
Sports in Colorado are, of course, very dear to many peoples’ hearts. The good news is that you can bet on your favorite Colorado sports teams! Whether you want to bet on the Denver Nuggets or the Avalanche, you are free to do that. The only thing you can’t bet on is props in Colorado college games.
Do I Have To Live In Colorado To Bet Online?
You don’t need to be a Colorado resident in order to bet online in the state, but you do need to be inside the state’s borders. You must follow this rule because each sports betting app will track your location.
Is Mobile Sports Betting Available In Colorado?
Yes, numerous sportsbooks have launched mobile apps that you can use in Colorado. These include PointsBet, FanDuel, and DraftKings. However, you must make sure your GPS is switched on, as these apps monitor your location for legal reasons. Once you leave state lines, you will not be able to place a bet.
Final Word On Colorado Online Sports Betting
The Colorado sports betting market is now up and running. The next step is to take a look at a few sportsbook apps and decide which one is right for you. Then, create an account, make your first deposit – and grab the welcome bonus.
Just make sure whenever you bet via your mobile device to keep your GPS switched on at all times. Other than that, good luck!
