Colorado Sports
Betting Guide
Your complete, independent guide to legal sports betting in the Centennial State. Compare all 20 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.
Best Colorado Sportsbooks
All 20 licensed online sportsbooks operating in Colorado, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines.
DraftKings
Market Leader- Market leader in CO
- Deep live betting
- Launched day one May 2020
- Top-rated CO app
FanDuel
Mobile Experience- #2 in CO market share
- Best SGP+ builder
- Denver Nuggets partner
- Launched May 2020
BetMGM
Highest Bonus- Denver Nuggets partnership
- MGM Rewards integration
- Strong NFL markets
- Launched May 2020
Caesars Sportsbook
Loyalty Rewards- Isle Casino Black Hawk retail
- Caesars Rewards program
- Daily odds boosts
- Launched 2020
bet365
Live Betting- Best live cash-out feature
- 40+ sports covered
- International markets
- Launched in CO 2022
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- FanCash for merch
- Clean interface
- Growing CO presence
- Launched 2024
ESPN BET
Content Integration- ESPN app integration
- Ameristar Black Hawk partner
- Live odds on SportsCenter
- Launched Nov 2023
Circa Sports
Sharp Bettors- Sharp-friendly limits
- No winner limitations
- Home of SuperContest
- Vegas-style odds
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Colorado bettors.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + NCAA profit boost | $5 |
| FanDuel | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets | Over 10 days — daily no-sweat bets | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 Back | If first bet loses | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Winnings 10 Bets | 100% profit boost tokens | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets | Win or lose | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 FanCash | Or $1,000 matched in FanCash | $5 |
| ESPN BET | Bet $10, Get $250 | PENN Entertainment | $10 |
| Circa Sports | Sharp-focused pricing | No welcome bonus | $10 |
How to Start Betting in Colorado
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here is exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Centennial State.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Colorado sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming.
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in Colorado.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers — compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
What Can You Bet On?
Colorado sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports.
NFL
Denver Broncos — 3-time Super Bowl champions (most recent 2015) at Empower Field at Mile High
NBA
Denver Nuggets — 2023 NBA Champions led by Nikola Jokic. Ball Arena
NHL
Colorado Avalanche — 3 Stanley Cups (most recent 2022). Ball Arena
MLB
Colorado Rockies at Coors Field — high-altitude park drives high-scoring over/under betting
MLS
Colorado Rapids at Dicks Sporting Goods Park — 2010 MLS Cup champions
College Football
CU Buffaloes (Deion Sanders era) and CSU Rams — in-state betting allowed, no player props
College Basketball
CU Buffaloes and CSU Rams — March Madness coverage with no in-state player props
UFC / MMA
Title fights, main cards, round betting, method of victory
Colorado Sports Betting Laws
📜 HB 19-1327 / Prop DD
Colorado legalized sports betting through HB 19-1327 / Prop DD, signed by Governor Jared Polis in 2019. Online betting launched on May 1, 2020. The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees all operations.
💰 Tax Structure
Operators pay 10% on Revenue. Revenue supports state programs including responsible gambling initiatives and education.
📋 Licensing
Colorado allows 20+ active operators. Currently 20 operators are live and accepting wagers.
🎓 College Betting
Colorado allows betting on in-state college teams including the CU Buffaloes and CSU Rams, but prop bets on individual college athletes are prohibited. Game-level markets like spreads, moneylines, and totals remain fully available.
📍 Retail Sportsbooks
Retail sportsbooks are available at casinos across Colorados three gaming towns: Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Retail betting accounts for less than 1% of total handle — Colorado is overwhelmingly a mobile market.
🔒 Age & Location
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Colorado to place legal sports bets. Residency is not required. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado voters approved Proposition DD in November 2019, and both online and retail sports betting launched on May 1, 2020. The Colorado Division of Gaming regulates the industry.
How old do I have to be to bet in Colorado?
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in Colorado, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
How many sportsbooks are in Colorado?
Colorado has 20+ licensed online sportsbooks, the most of any US state. Major operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Circa Sports, Bally Bet, SuperBook, WynnBET, PointsBet, Betfred, and Tipico.
Can I bet on the CU Buffaloes or CSU Rams?
Yes. Colorado allows betting on in-state college teams at the game level (spreads, moneylines, totals, futures). However, prop bets on individual college athletes are prohibited. This applies to the Deion Sanders-led CU Buffaloes, CSU Rams, and all other Colorado college programs.
Do I need to be a Colorado resident?
No. Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within Colorado can place legal sports bets. Geolocation verifies your location within state lines.
What is the tax rate on Colorado sports betting?
Colorado taxes sports betting operators at 10% of net sports betting proceeds. Under HB 25-1311, the free bet deduction drops to 1% of handle on January 1, 2026 and is abolished entirely on July 1, 2026 — meaning operators will pay tax on their full revenue starting mid-2026.
Where does the tax revenue go?
The majority of Colorado sports betting tax revenue funds the Colorado Water Plan, which supports water conservation and infrastructure projects across the state. A smaller portion funds problem gambling services. Since launch, sports betting has contributed over $79 million to state coffers, with fiscal 2026-27 projections of up to $120 million.
Why is Colorado such a competitive market?
Colorado has low barriers to entry — operators only need to partner with one of the state's casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, or Cripple Creek. This open licensing model attracted 20+ operators, more than any other US state. The result is aggressive competition, strong promotions, and sharp pricing for Colorado bettors.
What records has Colorado set?
Colorado sportsbooks generated $6.52 billion in 2025 handle (+5.4% YoY) and $442.8 million in revenue (+36.2% YoY). January 2026 produced $5.02 million in monthly tax — a Colorado record — from $630.2 million in handle. Mobile wagering accounts for over 99% of total activity.