Ever the innovator, Colorado has never been afraid to try new things when it comes to sports betting, while its pandemic-prompted passion for ping-pong wagering continues to burn hot.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Colorado, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Colorado
With every major sports organization pausing play during the early days of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Coloradans, having just gained the ability to legally bet on sports, could have been forgiven for waiting a little longer. Instead, they took to the internet and bet a bunch of money on ping-pong -- millions and millions of dollars on ping-pong.
Amazingly, Coloradans have continued to bet on table tennis at a rate unseen in any other state. Ever the innovator, Colorado has never been afraid to try new things when it comes to sports betting, whether it's creating the most wide-open marketplace for online platform providers, steering tax revenue to water-related projects, or becoming one of the first states to authorize fixed-odds wagering on horse racing.
10% tax on sports betting revenue, with a good chunk of that tax revenue benefitting the state's water plan.
All mobile sportsbooks must partner with a brick-and-mortar casino located in the state.
No prop betting on collegiate sports, but bettors can wager on in-state colleges.
Colorado is one of a handful of states that allows fixed-odds wagering on horse racing.
Legalization Timeline
Governor Polis signs sports wagering legislation
May 27, 2019
Governor Jared Polis signs HB 19-327, which puts the question of whether to legalize sports betting in Colorado before voters on the November ballot.
Voters narrowly approve legalization of sports betting
November 5, 2019
By a margin of just 20,000 votes, Colorado residents vote to allow mobile and retail sports betting.
Online sports wagering launches
May 1, 2020
Several mobile sportsbooks accept their first wagers in Colorado, beating their retail brethren to the punch due largely to COVID-19 lockdowns.
Coloradans bet heavily on table tennis during pandemic's early days
June, 2020
With every major sporting organization temporarily out of action at the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns, Coloradans take to the internet to bet millions of dollars on international table tennis competitions, a peculiar affinity that would, surprisingly, outlast the pandemic.
Retail sports betting goes live
June 17, 2020
In-person sports betting commences at sportsbooks in casinos in Black Hawk and Cripple Creek.
Colorado sportsbooks post record sports wagering handle
December, 2023
Colorado sportsbooks handle an all-time high of $716 million dollars in the month of December, a record that will soon be surpassed.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
Yes. Coloradans have been wagering legally within state lines since 2020.
Who can bet on sports in Colorado?
Bettors must be at least 21 to wager in Colorado, where they can do so through a plethora of brick-and-mortar and online sportsbooks. They must be physically present in the state of Colorado to place wagers of any kind.
Who regulates sports betting in Colorado?
The Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Gaming is tasked with regulating sports betting, as well as casino gaming and fantasy sports.
What can I bet on in Colorado?
Good luck finding a sports-related event that you can't bet on in Colorado, where the Division of Gaming has approved wagering on the following: Australian Rules Football, badminton, bare knuckle fighting, baseball, basketball, biathlon, bowling, boxing, chess, cornhole, cricket, cycling, darts, frisbee golf, esports, football, Gaelic Games, golf, handball, field hockey, ice hockey, jai alai, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, netball, Olympics, paintball, pesapallo, pickleball, pool, mini-golf, professional tag, rodeo, rowing, rugby, sailing, SlapFight, snooker, soccer, softball, 3X3 basketball, summer athletics, Sumo wrestling, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and winter athletics.
What can't I bet on in Colorado?
Alas, there is no prop betting on college athletics, although more run-of-the-mill wagers on college sporting events – including those involving Colorado schools – is permitted.
Is DFS legal in Colorado?
Indeed, it is legal to participate in fantasy sports contests in Colorado, which legalized DFS in 2016 for persons aged 18 or older.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Colorado?
It is legal to bet on horse racing in Colorado, which is home to one racetrack – Arapahoe Park, located in the Denver suburb of Aurora. There are, however, several off-track betting parlors where bettors can wager on races simulcast from around the country. In terms of online options, account wagering is legal in Colorado, which is also one of the few states to have authorized fixed-odds betting on horse races in addition to the traditional parimutuel method.
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