History of Online Gambling in Colorado
Colorado’s beginnings with internet gambling date back to 2016. With many states arguing over the legality of daily fantasy sports (DFS), the Centennial State took initiative and put a DFS bill together.
Voters approved the legislation through a referendum in 2016. The state’s Division of Professions and Occupations now oversees the DFS market.
An even bigger landmark in Colorado online gambling history happened on Nov. 5, 2019. This day saw CO voters pass Proposition DD, which legalized land-based and online sports betting.
The law didn’t take effect until six months later, on May 1, 2020. Four internet sportsbooks launched on the opening day.
CO bookmakers experienced a difficult start due to the coronavirus being in full effect at the time. However, they’ve since enjoyed more success with major sports leagues returning to action.
Legality of CO Online Gambling
The sports gambling referendum features the following license types:
- Master ($2,000)
- Retail sports betting ($1,200)
- Online sports betting ($1,200)
All 33 land-based casinos in the state can and have applied for a master license. Approved operators retain their master status for two years before a renewal is required.
A CO operator must either hold a master license or partner with a casino that owns one to offer internet gambling. Therefore, online sportsbooks form partnerships with Colorado land-based casinos.
Internet and brick-and-mortar bookmakers must pay a 10% tax on revenue. This tax rate is relatively cheap compared to most states.
Colorado Online Sports Betting
Sports gambling has been legal in the Centennial State since Nov. 2019 (see all Colorado online sports betting sites here). However, operators couldn’t legally accept bets until May 2020.
Since then, several land-based and online sportsbooks have opened up in the state. Available CO betting apps include:
- Betfred (partner: Saratoga Casino)
- BetMGM (partner: Midnight Rose Casino)
- BetMonarch (partner: Monarch Casino)
- BetRivers (partner: JP McGill’s Casino)
- BetWildwood (partner: Wildwood Casino)
- Circa Sports (partner: Century Casino Cripple Creek)
- DraftKings (partner: Golden Gulch Gras Casino)
- ELITE Sportsbook (partner: Red Dolly Casino)
- FanDuel (partner: Golden Mardi Gras Casino)
- Fox Bet (partner: Lady Luck Casino)
- PointsBet (partner: Double Eagle Casino)
- SBK (partner: Bronco Billy’s Casino)
- Sky Ute (partner: Sky Ute Casino & Resort)
- SportsBetting.com (partner: Johnny Nolon’s Casino)
- theScore (partner: The Gilpin Casino)
- William Hill (partner: El Dorado Resorts)
These online bookmakers combine to offer many bet types and markets, including:
- ATP & WTA tennis
- MLB
- MLS & Premier League soccer
- NASCAR
- NBA
- NCAA basketball
- NCAA football
- NFL
- PGA Tour
- UFC
Colorado Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports became legal in Colorado in 2016. The main components of Colorado’s DFS bill include:
- Anybody who’s 18 years of age or older can play DFS.
- The Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) oversees the DFS market.
- The DPO determines licensing fees.
- Any DFS operator with fewer than 7,500 users doesn’t need to apply for a license—they just need to register with the state.
- High school and amateur sports are banned from Colorado’s DFS market.
- Operators must segregate player deposits from operating funds (a.k.a. ring-fencing).
- Players reserve the right to restrict themselves from the market (a.k.a. self-exclusion).
Colorado Online Lottery
Online lottery play is legal in the Centennial State. The Colorado Lottery doesn’t offer the most extensive internet play, though.
Instead, it merely provides the ability to purchase tickets in advance through the “Advance Play” option. Players can purchase advance tickets for the Colorado Lotto+, Lucky for Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball.
Colorado Online Casinos
The Centennial State doesn’t currently regulate online casinos. However, it does offer legal sweepstakes casinos.
Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots are examples of sweepstakes gaming sites. They provide various online casino games without the real-money play.
LuckyLand and Chumba offer the chance to earn sweepstakes entries. You can win prizes through these contests.
No Colorado legislation appears to be on the horizon for legalizing real-money casinos. Until then, Chumba and LuckyLand remain the best available options.
Colorado Poker Sites
Colorado online poker is in a similar situation to internet casinos. It isn’t a regulated game, but it features legal sweepstakes play.
In this case, Global Poker is the only legal option in the state. It offers cash games, sit & go, and tournaments where sweepstakes entries are up for grabs.
State lawmakers haven’t discussed regulating internet poker since 2013. The odds of legal Colorado online poker happening in the near future appear slim.
Colorado Online Gambling Apps
Various gambling apps are available in Colorado. These apps encompass DFS, online sports betting, sweepstakes casinos, and sweepstakes poker sites.
You’ll find both Android and iOS gambling apps in the state. The method for downloading each type will differ for two reasons:
- Google Play doesn’t allow real-money Android gambling apps in its store.
- Apple does allow real-money iOS gambling apps in the App Store.
Considering Google Play’s policy, you must visit a real-money sportsbook or DFS site directly. Once there, you can download an app straight off the website.
Because Apple is more lenient, you can visit the App Store, search for the relevant app, and download it.
How to Deposit at Colorado Online Gambling Sites
Colorado gambling sites feature several banking methods. These options allow you to place both online and in-person deposits.
Deposit Options
Deposit methods at CO bookmakers include:
- Credit/debit card: Instantly fund your account using a bank-issued Visa or Mastercard.
- E-check: Send an e-check from your bank account to an online gambling site.
- E-wallet: Use PayPal or Skrill to fund your account.
- Prepaid card: Gambling sites can issue their own branded prepaid cards for deposit purposes.
- Cash: You can fund an account with cash at either a land-based casino or 7-Eleven (PayNearMe).
Withdrawal Methods
You can cash out with many of the same methods covered above. The only exceptions are credit cards and PayNearMe, which are for deposits only.
You’ll also need to opt for the same method that you used for a deposit. If you fund your account with Skrill, for example, you can only cash out with this e-wallet.
CO gambling sites require you to complete identity verification before withdrawing money. Sites request additional identification to ensure that nobody else is trying to withdraw funds from your account.
Online Gambling Bonuses in Colorado
Depending on the gambling site, you can look forward to several types of bonuses in Colorado. These deals range from no-deposit bonuses to loyalty rewards.
No-deposit Bonus
You only need to complete registration to receive a no-deposit bonus. For example, you might collect a $10 bonus after signing up for an account.
Match Deposit Bonus
This deal sees a gambling site match your deposit amount. For instance, it might match 100% of your first deposit up to $500.
Risk-Free Bet
Exclusive to sports gambling sites, a risk-free bet gives you an opportunity to earn back losses stemming from a losing initial wager.
For example, if you place a $200 wager and lose, you’ll have an opportunity to earn the $200 back. You must satisfy terms and conditions to receive the funds.
Free Coins
Sweepstakes casinos often give away free coins for various promotions. First off, they give you a no-deposit bonus just for signing up.
You also typically receive more free coins every time you purchase a specified amount. For instance, you might get 100,000 extra coins when you purchase 500,000.
Loyalty Rewards
Online sportsbooks, DFS sites, and sweepstakes casinos can all feature loyalty programs. Such programs allow you to earn extra money or sweepstakes coins through your play.
Colorado Online Gambling FAQ
The Centennial state offers legal betting sites, DFS, sweepstakes casinos, and sweepstakes poker sites. Only sports betting and DFS sites offer real-money play.
No. You can enjoy Colorado online gambling as long as you’re within state lines.
Internet sportsbooks use geolocation software to check where you’re located. If the geolocation determines that you’re in the Centennial State, you can legally gamble.
You don’t need to cover state taxes on CO gambling winnings. However, you must cover federal taxes on winnings.
The IRS treats gambling winnings as “other income.” You must report this when filling out your federal tax form.
Yes. The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees the betting market. Meanwhile, the Division of Professions and Occupations presides over daily fantasy sports.
These governing bodies work to ensure that operators abide by the marketplace rules. They also examine applications and approve quality operators.
You must be at least 21 years old to place online bets in Colorado. However, you only need to be 18 to play DFS.