is sports betting legal in colorado
Yes, sports betting is legal and regulated in Colorado. In November of 2019, voters approved a ballot referendum (Proposition DD), allowing in-person and online sports betting statewide. Six months later, in May of 2020, the state launched 15 sports betting apps including DraftKings and FanDuel. Unlike some other states with legalized sports betting, Colorado bettors are allowed to wager on the NFL Draft and esports, but be aware that betting on college player props isn’t prohibited.
colorado quick facts
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Launch Date: May, 2020 -
ImageLegal Betting Age: 21
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ImageOnline Sports Betting: Yes
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ImageOnline Casino Sites: No
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ImageOnline Poker Sites: No
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ImageBest Available Sportsbook: Fanduel
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ImageRegulatory Body: Colorado Department of Revenue, Gaming
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ImageLegal online sportsbooks: 18
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ImageCollege Sports Betting: Yes, but college player prop betting is prohibited
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ImagePolitical or entertainment betting: No
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ImageHigh School sports Betting: No
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ImageEsports betting: Yes
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ImageNFL Draft: Yes
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ImageRemote registration: Yes
Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News
Colorado became the 18th state in the U.S. to legalize sports betting with a ballot referendum in 2019, and sports betting officially went live on May 1, 2020. Like a Denver Broncos overtime thriller, the public vote to legalize sports betting went down to the wire, but in the end, those advocating for sports betting prevailed.
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april 18, 2019
HB 19-1327 introduced in the house, the bill lays out a road map for legalized sports betting in Colorado.
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may 21, 2019
HB 19-1327 signed by speaker of the house and send to Governor Jared Polis.
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may 29, 2019
HB 19-1327 signed by Gov. Polis, and will become law pending voter approval.
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november 5, 2019
Colorado voters narrowly approve (51.41%) legal sports betting via a ballot referendum on Proposition DD.
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november 1, 2020
Online and in-person sports betting launches in Colorado, by the end of 2020, there were 15 online sportsbooks in the state.
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november 20, 2024
HB 1436 passes in both the house and senate. The bill seeks to remove the tax on sports betting tax revenue funding water conservation in the state.
how to start betting in colorado
Sports betting in Colorado is simple thanks to remote registration which allows you to register for sportsbooks and deposit money without having to go to a casino like in some other states. If you’re over 21-years-old and located inside Colorado, just download your favorite sports betting app, fund your account, verify your identity, and start betting.
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select a sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
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create account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
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deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
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choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
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place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
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withdraw
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
Roughly 12% of Colorado’s population of 5.8 million residents live in the state’s capital city of Denver. All four of Colorado’s top sports teams play their home games in Denver, which has been nicknamed the Mile High City for its elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. The lower oxygen levels at that elevation give teams based in Colorado that are accustomed to it a unique home field advantage unlike any other in the United States.
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ImageNFL – Denver Broncos: The Broncos have had two of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks under center in John Elway (who led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997 and 1998) and Peyton Manning (who helped Denver win its 2015 Super Bowl). Unfortunately for Broncos fans, the team has been stuck in an eight-year playoff drought since Manning’s retirement following that Super Bowl victory.
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ImageNBA – Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic established himself as one of the best players in the NBA with back-to-back regular season NBA MVP awards in 2021 and 2022. But in 2023 he cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats in Colorado sports history by leading the Nuggets to their first NBA Championship and securing an NBA Finals MVP award in the process. The Nuggets figure to be a contender for years to come with Jokic at the helm.
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ImageNHL – Colorado Avalanche: The former Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche in 1995. They made an immediate splash in their new home state by winning the Stanley Cup in 1995-96 with a team led by NHL legends Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy. The Avalanche are still among the NHL’s best and most consistent teams today, most recently winning the franchise’s third Stanley Cup in 2022.
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ImageMLB – Colorado Rockies: And then there’s the Rockies. Colorado has been a perennial doormat at the bottom of the NL West since its inception in 1993, and it’s hard to see things getting better any time soon with the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers finalising their super-team with the addition of Shohei Ohtani in the 2023 offseason. If Colorado sports fans could pick any of their teams to watch and bet on 162 times per season, it wouldn’t be the Rockies, but that’s what they’re stuck with.
USA Betting News
responsible gaming message from colorado
The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC) is an excellent resource for people in Colorado who have a gambling problem or know someone who is struggling with gambling addiction. Their website features several resources including links to treatment providers in the state and information on the state’s self inclusion list.
There’s also a separate Gamblers Anonymous phone number for those in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah (1-800-222-5542) and information for meetings can be found at Coloradoga.org.