It is officially legal to place wagers on sports in the state of Colorado. First of all, yes there are still some sports you can gamble on. Second, the whole idea of that can be pretty. Colorado legalized land-based gambling in 1990. Although the history of gambling in The Centennial State is rather short, Colorado has plenty of tribal and commercial casinos and card rooms, which are mainly located in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City. Other regulated forms of gambling include state lottery and pari-mutuel horse racing.

Colorado may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of gambling in 2021, but legal online gambling for Colorado residents is quite popular. Sports betting was legalized in Colorado in November of 2019, bringing a huge number of sports fans to the state to place their bets. These sportsbooks were able to set up online retailers based out of the many casinos located in the state. Unfortunately, that has not extended to online casinos just yet, but there are still options for gambling online in CO.

The state has a mix of casino lovers, diehard sports fans, and even horse racing aficionados, which is why the internet is the best place to satisfy every type of gambler. Some sites even offer an all-in-one gaming experience, with blackjack, poker, bingo, sports betting, and horse racing betting on the same website. We are here to discuss the legalities of online gambling in Colorado, which should give you some insight as to what is legal and what is not.

Mobile NFL Betting In Colorado

Mobile NFL betting in Colorado has quickly become one of the most popular ways to bet on football. The convenience of being able to place football bets from anywhere at any time via a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop is what many bettors love about mobile betting. In Colorado, the Denver Broncos are the biggest sports betting draw in the state. Whether at Mile High Stadium or on your couch watching the game mobile betting allows bettors to not have to worry about missing out on any NFL betting action. As long as your mobile device is connected to a stable internet connection, you’ll be able to place bets and add/withdraw funds right from your mobile device. Most reputable online sportsbooks in Colorado have a mobile app or web friendly mobile browser that brings the entire site right into the palm of your hands.

Live NFL Betting In Colorado

Football is the most popular sport to bet on in the state of Colorado. This state loves to bet on the hometown team the Denver Broncos as well as other professional teams. Betting on the NFL doesn’t stop when the first quarter has already begun as live betting is available at many licensed legal gambling sites that accept players based in the Centennial State. Live betting on NFL games in CO is as easy as placing traditional football bets. One advantage of live betting is that it allows gamblers to see the flow of a game and then place bets based on how the game is going. In game betting is quickly becoming the go to way to bet on the National Football League and residents of Colorado should take advantage of their fairly new sports betting options.

Online Gambling Age For Colorado Residents

As with all states, there legal gambling age requirements for gambling in Colorado. If you are 18, you can begin to play a few forms of gaming, specifically bingo, the lottery, and horse racing. You will then have to be 21 in order to enjoy the other forms of gambling in the state, specifically casinos, poker, online casinos, online poker, and the ever-popular online sports betting. If you are under the required age limits, we do not recommend you try to do any of the above as you could find yourself short money and perhaps facing some sort of charges.

Colorado Online Gambling Laws

Online gambling laws are not something most states have written, and Colorado is no different. In Colorado, you will find that the legislature has not actually banned online gambling, so there is little frame of reference for determining whether or not these games are illegal. Provided you follow our advice, you should not have to worry about anything, as they do not mention the Internet, online gambling, or wire communications. CRS §18-10-101(4) is the only law that could be interpreted to cover the internet. There is the odd mention of communicating 'gambling information' as it pertains to professional gambling, wagers, betting odds or changes in odds. They made it a point to specifically mention professional gambling, and they have even added a clause for the public dissemination of gambling information when pertinent to a news article. Whether or not you have anything to worry about as a casual gambler is something totally different.

Gambling Sites That Accept Colorado Residents

Residents of Colorado have access to a wide array of different gambling sites. You will find that the options are limited by quality, as we have only taken on the most trusted of all gambling sites. Provided you follow our advice, you will not encounter a dishonest gambling site. In order to remain completely safe, you will want to stick only to the gambling sites we have explored in great detail.

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Online Casinos That Accept Colorado Residents

Colorado's casinos have many games, but the online casinos are even more diverse. If you want to play with these online casinos you will have access to every set of game possible. They have table games, slots, video poker and more, with numerous variants of each. You might want to play at Lucky Red for the biggest casino bonuses, or Café Casino for a wider selection of slots. If you decide that these sites are right for you, you will only be met by the best possible online casino experience.

Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Colorado Residents

Betting on sports online in Colorado is as easy as it has ever been in 2021. Online sports betting is exciting and profitable, as there are numerous teams to bet on and multiple wagering options. With the legalization of sports betting, many major brands moved into the state, or expanded their already available features to make online betting a reality. 33 of the state’s 40 casinos launched a sports betting vehicle, in addition to the numerous international online sportsbooks that are still available.

Choosing one of these brands can be overwhelming. Colorado has become one of the strongest states for sports betting, and therefore has attracted tons of new retailers looking for their piece of the pie. It is important to remember to explore all of your options, including the international betting sites, to find which site fits your needs. This is a list of all the state-sponsored online betting retailers currently found in Colorado according to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Betfred USA Sportsbook

Betfred is a popular European brand that moved into Colorado to offer its sportsbook services. The brand partnered with the Grand Falls Casino and Saratoga Casino locations in Black Hawk.

BetMGM Sportsbook

The MGM brand is well known for their Vegas-style casinos, but also for their sportsbooks. The BetMGM moniker is their sportsbook brand that is now available online via the Midnight Rose casino.

BetWildwood Sportsbook

The BetWildwood online sportsbook is created and operated as an extension of the Wildwood Casino.

BetRivers Sportsbook

Rivers is a major casino and sportsbook brand that has opened online sportsbooks in a number of legal states. BetRivers is their sports betting branch that is operated via the J.P. McGill Hotel and Casino.

Circa Sport Sportsbook

Circa Sports is a smaller brand that has built some traction in recent years. Their online sportsbook has great reviews so far and is a great option for any bettor. They are partnered with the Century Casino in Cripple Creek, where their physical book is located.

DraftKings Sportsbook

One of the biggest national brands, DraftKings has made its home in Colorado through the Golden Mardi Gras Casino. DraftKings has one of the best apps on the market but is also available through their website.

ELITE Sportsbook

ELITE is a smaller sportsbook brand that has teamed up with casinos in Iowa and Colorado to launch their online services. They also have a physical sportsbook at the Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Another of the big national brands that started with Daily Fantasy Sports, FanDuel operates their sportsbook through the Golden Gates Casino. They have one of the best apps on the market and are also available on their website.

Monarch Casino Sportsbook

This online sportsbook is an extension of the Monarch Casino located in Black Hawk.

TheScore Sportsbook

Many sports fans have probably heard of or used TheScore’s app to check scores or keep up with their favorite team. This is the sportsbook brand created by TheScore which has betting options available in Colorado as well as Iowa, Indiana, and New Jersey and is partnered with Jacobs Entertainment.

Smarkets Sportsbook

Smarkets or SBK is a smaller sportsbook brand that began in the new wave of legislation. Not much is known about the brand which started in 2020, but users report good experiences with their online sportsbook. They are partnered with Christmas Casino.

The Stars Group Sportsbook

The Stars Group is a major Canadian gambling company that has products under the PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, BetStars, and FOXBet brands. They work with the Lady Luck Casino to bring online sports betting to CO.

William Hill Sportsbook

William Hill is one of the largest and oldest sports betting providers in the US. Their online sportsbook continues to be one of the best on the market in multiple states.

Online Poker Sites That Accept Colorado Residents

Poker players looking to make a buck can do so by turning to the different gambling sites online. If you decide to stick to the sites we have found, you will not have too much trouble building an effective bankroll. Grinding micro stakes to the nosebleeds should be easy enough through our preferred sites, as all of them are trusted, secure poker rooms. Our top two poker sites that accept Colorado residents are BetOnline and SportsBetting.

Online Bingo Sites That Accept Colorado Players

Bingo players are often surprised to learn that they can participate in online gaming action as well, but there are quite a few online bingo sites that accept Colorado players. Even if you are new to online gambling, you will find that you do not have to contend with too much trouble in simply hitting the cards. The best site for online bingo in Colorado is Downtown Bingo, which has plenty of cash prizes, big jackpots, and free giveaways.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Colorado?

Our readers are always asking us is online gambling legal in Colorado, and we have trouble with this question. We want to say that online gambling is legal, but there is a debate about it. While there are laws that unlicensed gambling sites are not legal, the laws may not cover these gambling sites, which are licensed offshore. With the lack of a specific written ban, you do not have to worry much about getting into trouble.

Colorado has a number of laws that dictate how gambling can take place in the state. But none of them extend to online gambling. Because of this, we believe that online gambling is legal in Colorado in all parts of the state. Using licensed online gambling sites that are housed overseas and regulated by gaming commissions is the best option for Colorado gamblers.

Is It Safe For Colorado Residents To Gamble Online?

Since it is not illegal for Colorado gamblers to make bets and play casino games for real money online, it is safe to assume that Colorado residents will not get into trouble for simply gambling over the Internet. In fact, as long as you do not own or operate an illegal online gambling site, or any unlicensed gambling location in Colorado, you do not stand to face any jail time or have to appear in court. If you stick to the approved gambling sites that are legal for Colorado residents, you should have nothing to worry about.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Colorado?

Residents of Colorado should have few worries about being in trouble for playing with an online casino, as these are generally the more versatile gambling sites. If you want to look into these forms of games, you will find that the law is not opposed to gambling. We have found plenty of casinos, and the fact that they accept Coloradans is part of the reason we feel they are legal.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Colorado?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Colorado and officially launched back in 2020, with laws passing in 2019. There are now over 30 sports betting venues located at casinos within the state, in addition to numerous online sportsbooks. Colorado residents or visitors can access all of these sites as soon as they enter the state lines and are of legal betting age. The Colorado sports betting landscape is only set to expand as more and more retailers move into the state.

Is Online Poker Legal In Colorado?

Living in Colorado means that card rooms are not too far away, but you will find that there are many options in the state outside of the live card rooms. Online poker rooms are not impossible to find, and you will see that you can very easily start gambling if you visit the leading online poker sites. Due to a lack of laws that ban online gambling, there is nothing illegal about entering an online poker room and playing for real money.

Can I Bet On Horse Racing In Colorado?

Yes. Betting on horse racing in Colorado is legal. You can do it at the lone horse racing track in the state, or at the one off-track betting shop. But if you want a full racebook that can offer you everything legally and conveniently, we recommend online horse racing betting sites. These sites allow bettors from all over Colorado to place their wagers on any number of races. Not only are they legally licensed and regulated, they’re also easier to use and have more to offer. What more could you want?

Funding Your Online Gambling Account And Collecting Your Bonus

You’ve probably been reading about all of these online sites and been wondering – how do I get my hands on one of those welcome bonuses? It’s actually quite simple. Everyone is eligible to receive the welcome bonus, as well as any subsequent deposit bonuses that may be available, simply by funding their account. It doesn’t matter if you use a credit card, bitcoin, or another method. Just decide the amount you’d like to deposit, enter the promo code, click submit, and the bonus will instantly be added to whatever you have put into your account. It really is that easy.

Mobile Colorado Gambling Apps

Mobile gambling in Colorado can be done on your phone or tablet so long as you are using a site that has a mobile betting feature. Usually, this means that a corresponding mobile site has been set up so that you can access it no matter what device you’re using. Other times, there is an app you can use. These allow you the same privileges you’d have on your computer, just this time at the tips of your fingers wherever you are. Mobile Colorado gambling is great for anyone who is away from their computer for elongated periods of time – or for people who just prefer to use their phone.

Colorado Gambling FAQ’s

Are Bitcoin Sportsbooks Regulated And Licensed?

The sportsbooks recommended on this page that accept bitcoin are regulated and licensed. While we can’t speak for all bitcoin sportsbooks, we can speak for the ones we review. These sites are regulated by the laws in their countries, laws that have been in place and upheld for decades. They are licensed by the gaming commissions that are put in charge of them. These licenses have to be renewed on a regular basis. To achieve a license, sites are constantly being tested and retested for quality control by gaming commissions.

With PASPA Repealed, Is Sports Betting Legal In Colorado?

With the Supreme Court ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the future of legal sports betting in Colorado has changed for the better. With no federal ban on sports betting, the Colorado Legislature has legalized sports gambling across Colorado. As of November of 2019, sports betting is legal in Colorado at state-sponsored locations. Additionally, international online sportsbooks continue to be a legal resource for sports bettors.

If My Horse Is Scratched Is My Bet Canceled?

It depends on what sort of bet you’ve laid. When placing a straight bet on a horse that is scratched (i.e. a win/place/show/across the board bet), the bet is canceled and your stake is returned to you. If you place an exotic wager at a book and a scratched horse is a part of it, your bet is adjusted. Either the scratched horse is removed from the ticket, and your bet is reset to reflect the new number of horses you’re betting on, or the book will replace the scratched horse on your ticket with the chalk horse in the race. Each book has their own way of processing things like this, so it’s in your best interest to read the rules before you place your bet.

Will I go to jail for online gambling in Colorado?

We have never heard of an arrest taking place over online gambling in the state of Colorado, and we can tell you that you will not be the first. No one has been arrested for online gambling in Colorado due to the fact that there is nothing that has made it a crime to play. We have found that you can play these games without any possible criminal complications due to the fact that there has been no ban written specifically into the laws.

The Colorado Constitution and Colorado law allow only certain types of 'gambling.' In addition to limited gaming in Colorado casinos, the following forms of gambling are legal:

• Colorado Division of Racing-Live and off-track betting on horse racing events
• Secretary of State's Office - Licensing & Regulations for bingo, raffles and charitable games.
• 'Social' Gambling (See Social Gambling Exception below)

All other forms of gambling are prohibited.

Information and commonly asked questions about both legal and illegal gambling activities:

Although the Division of Gaming cannot provide any legal advice, the following is some guidance based upon what has been deemed illegal under Colorado law. Counties and municipalities would have jurisdiction over these matters and may have local ordinances that also address gambling issues, so we encourage you to contact your local district attorney or city attorney's office for guidance because the Division only regulates casino gambling in Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk.

Colorado law does allow charitable organizations to sponsor gambling events at a licensed retailer/operator. (This means a licensed casino in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk or Central City, Colorado.) The provisions governing these events are found in Colorado Revised Statutes, sections 12-47.1-901, 902 and 903. (View Colorado's gaming statutes.)

Outside of the gaming towns, criminal statutes govern gambling activity. For 'gambling' to occur, three elements must be present: consideration, chance, and reward. These elements are sometimes expressed as 'payment, luck, and prize.' The first level of inquiry, then, is whether all three of these components are present, because by eliminating any one of them, the activity would not meet the definition of 'gambling' as set forth in Colorado law.

For example, if the consideration component is eliminated and no fee, buy-in or other money is required or solicited from the participants, then prizes may be awarded to the player(s) who perform well in a casino type game. This is how several organized poker tournaments are able to operate legally outside the three gaming towns. On the other hand, if an organization charges a donation, fee or other buy-in for the casino games or just for the event, then it cannot legally distribute prizes or money based upon who wins or plays well in the casino type games. Such an organization could legally conduct a drawing, door prize or raffle as long as the prizes are awarded randomly and are not tied to success in the casino type game(s). Likewise, the organization could legally conduct the casino type games for the pure entertainment value alone. By disconnecting any prize or money from the risk element of the casino type game(s), such activity would arguably not meet the definition of gambling.

Although there is a social gambling exception in statute, the Colorado Supreme Court has held that charitable events do not qualify. Charnes v Central City Opera House 1989.pdf

Because a charity event typically seeks to raise money, the only way to hold a casino night where participants pay or donate money, is to hold the casino games for entertainment value only. In other words, there can be NO cash or other prizes awarded as a result of the games played. However, a raffle or door prize scenario where anybody can win the prize without regard to how they played or if they played the games is an option.

Companies do exist that will rent the needed equipment for casino type games. Lastly, if the charitable event will involve a liquor license, the Division of Liquor Enforcement could provide guidance on these issues.

Colorado Division of Gaming

May 2014

'Find a penny, pick it up,' might be a familiar childhood rhyme, but in Colorado casinos, keeping found money in or from a casino is a violation of state gaming law.

When Colorado voters legalized limited gaming in 1990, slot machines typically used coins: pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. In many jurisdictions outside of Colorado, people would walk around casinos, glancing at empty slot machines, looking for any coins left behind. The name 'silver miners' was coined to describe people who looked for money around casino games.

Slot machines keep track of how much money has been played and how much money has been won or lost, but in recent years, most slot machines have migrated to modern technology where the machine does not spill out coins when there's a jackpot. Electronic bells and whistles have taken the place of the happy jangle of a pile of coins spilling into a metal tray.

The problem of people 'mining' for dropped coins has also evolved along with technology. People may be questioned or even charged with Fraudulent Acts if they sit down at a slot machine and play off credits another player has left behind.

Colorado Online Gambling Laws

Buckets of jackpot coins have been replaced with slips of paper, called 'TITO‚' slips for 'ticket in, ticket out.' When a player finishes playing a slot machine and has credits accumulated on the machine, he or she can cash out the winnings, which is a printed slip of paper showing the balance. That TITO slip can be reinserted into another slot machine, redeemed at a kiosk, or turned into a casino cashier in exchange for cash.

So if a person sits down at a slot machine and plays someone else's credits, how do casino staff and Division of Gaming investigators determine just whose money is being played? For starters, every slot machine is under surveillance. Surveillance video can determine who played, how much they bet, how long they played, and whether jackpots were won. Event logs maintained on each slot machine can verify every transaction that took place, including game play history.

Likewise, if the first or second player used a player card (a player-specific card issued by the casino to track player use as well as link the player to promotions and marketing opportunities), transactions that took place on the slot machine after the card was inserted by the patron can be accessed to view the details.

Sometimes the second player sits down at a slot machine and simply doesn't recognize that there are credits on the machine, and may insert additional money on top of existing credits. The slot machine event logs, as well as the visual information from surveillance, is usually enough to determine if either player is owed credits or money. A player who finds someone else's credits and plays them off can be issued a citation under the Fraudulent Acts law.

If you find a lost ticket, cash or coins on the casino floor, let a casino staff member know. If you want to play a vacant slot machine and discover someone else's credits are waiting, you can find another machine or notify a casino staff member to properly document and remove the existing credits so you can play. If a patron returns to the casino looking for the lost ticket or money, the casino will return their property. If they return to a slot machine where they have left credits, the casino can return those as well. But there is no allowance under Colorado law for 'finders keepers' to keep a windfall.

2014

Colorado law allows a 'social gambling' exception, which allows 'gambling' that is incidental to a bona fide social relationship and is participated in by natural persons. A 'bona fide social relationship' means that the parties must have an established social relationship based upon some other common interest other than the gambling activity.

Further, one participating in such social game cannot directly or indirectly participate in 'professional gambling,' which is defined in Colorado law as 'aiding or inducing another to engage in gambling, with the intent to derive a profit therefrom.' This generally means that no one other than the players can profit from the game or activity in any manner. The profit does not need to be direct profit. Colorado law defines 'profit' as any 'realized or unrealized benefit, direct or indirect, including without limitation benefits from proprietorship, management, or unequal advantage in a series of transactions.'

These two criteria - a bona fide social relationship and no profit motive - must be present for a gambling activity to be considered legal 'social gambling.'

The Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission have worked together to put together this response for information purposes only. This response should not be construed as a legal opinion, and you should consult with legal counsel before taking final action regarding the information in this response. Further, this response only encompasses Colorado State statutes. County and municipal jurisdictions may have local ordinances that may also address gambling issues. You should contact your local district attorney's office to determine these ordinances.

The first consideration in determining if a poker tournament or 'casino night' is allowed under social gambling laws is whether the activity is defined as 'gambling.' For gambling to occur, three factors must be present - consideration, chance and reward. These can be better described as 'payment, luck and prize.' If any of these three factors is not present, then the activity is not considered gambling. For example, if no donation, fee, buy-in, tips, drink minimums or any other monetary consideration are required or solicited from the participants in a poker tournament or casino night, then prizes may be awarded to the player(s) who perform well during the tournament or games.

Is Horse Betting Legal In Colorado

On the other hand, if an organization charges a donation, fee or other buy-in for a poker tournament or casino night, then it cannot legally distribute prizes based upon who wins or plays well in the tournament or event. Such organization could legally conduct a drawing, door prize or raffle as long as the prizes are randomly awarded and are not tied to success in the tournament or event. Likewise, the organization could legally conduct the tournament or casino night for the pure entertainment value alone. By disconnecting the prize from the risk element of the poker or other event, such activity would arguably not meet the definition of gambling. The Colorado Secretary of State handles permits for bingo and raffle events. This paragraph applies even if the poker tournament or casino night is for charity and/or the prizes are donated.

Legal Online Gambling Colorado

Once the activity has met the legal definition of 'gambling,' it can still be a legal activity if it meets the 'social gambling' exception in Colorado statute.

Internet gambling is illegal under state and federal laws. Colorado law prohibits the transmission or reception of gambling information by any means. The federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, signed into law in October 2006, prohibits online gamblers from using credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to place and settle bets. Further, the federal 1961 Wire Act also prohibits the use of wire communications in interstate or foreign commerce for the placing of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers.

Unlike participants in legalized forms of gambling, persons who wager on online casinos have no recourse with any state agency should they not be paid for winning wagers or have any other dispute with the entity with which they are placing their bets. Furthermore, players are not guaranteed odds. By statute, slot and video machines in Colorado casinos must pay out between 80 percent and 100 percent. Online casinos are not required to have minimum payouts and are under no form of regulatory control to ensure compliance with any payout controls.

Many online sites advertise they are 'legal' and 'licensed' forms of wagering. They may be legal or licensed where the bets are received, but it remains illegal to place bets from Colorado with these businesses.

In addition, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission prohibits persons and businesses licensed in the casino industry in Colorado from having any involvement with internet gaming sites that can be accessed by Colorado residents.