Welcome to ColoradoBetting.com, your source for legal Colorado sports betting and gambling information. We aim to provide a concise and straightforward roadmap to all things gambling in Colorado. This includes news and reviews, industry updates and recommendations of CO betting sites that are licensed and legal.

Our primary focus here is on sports betting, both online and in-person, but we are committed to covering major developments and providing information to all forms of gambling. Whether it’s the latest sports betting bonuses or big news out of Black Hawk, we cover it all to some extent.

The legal situation regarding gambling online in California is, at best, a little confusing. With a few exceptions, it’s the same in most American states. Although some have legal online gambling that is regulated by the relevant state government, most do not have legislation in place that directly relates to betting. In 1996, the first online betting site accepted its first wager. Since then, online gaming and sporting events have enjoyed a pleasant union with only some minor hiccups along the way. From wagers as basic as picking the outcome of the Super Bowl, to more complex live bets, the internet is a magical place home to numerous legal betting sites offering great odds.

Legal CO Betting Sites

Colorado regulates a wider range of online gambling activities than many people realize. Sports betting was authorized by voters in November 2019 as you may have heard, but that is not the only form of online gambling that is legal in Colorado.

Legal Forms of Online Betting in CO:

• Sports betting
• Daily fantasy sports
• Horse racing betting
• Games of skill

Mobile Sports Betting in Colorado

Colorado legalized sports betting through a two-part process in 2019. First, the state legislature passed HB 1327 to authorize sports betting and establish some basic regulations. The governor signed the bill in May 2019.

Second, Colorado voters had to approve the bill via statewide referendum before it could become law. That happened in November 2019. The bill required a public referendum due to Colorado’s TABOR Amendment, which requires all legislation that includes a tax increase to be approved by the voters before it may take effect.

Even though the CO sports betting law does not increase existing taxes, it had to survive a statewide vote because it establishes a new tax on licensed sports betting operators. Despite the ballot question’s awkward phrasing, voters approved the bill to formally legalize in-person and mobile / online sports betting.

The first Colorado sportsbooks opened one year later, in May 2020. Colorado betting sites and mobile apps licensed by the Limited Gaming Control Commission (LGCC) may offers wagers on professional and college sports, including major events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness.

Colorado Sportsbook Reviews

The Colorado sports betting market is competitive thanks to favorable legislation with low taxes and plenty of openings for operators to set up shop.

ColoradoBetting.com is in the process of reviewing all legal sportsbooks in Colorado based on a variety of factors, check out our featured sportsbooks below:

• DraftKings
• BetRivers
• BetMGM

Additional Reviews

How Sports Betting Works in Colorado

In-person and online sports betting is legal in Colorado for customers who are 21 or older and physically present within state lines when placing wagers via desktop computer or mobile device.

Under state law, Colorado casinos hold a monopoly over sports betting. Each casino that acquires a sports wagering license may accept wagers in-person through a retail sportsbook and online through a single website and mobile app.

Casinos are also allowed to form partnerships with third-party providers such as FanDuel and DraftKings for assistance in running their sportsbooks and to capitalize on brand name recognition.

For example, PointsBet got an early start on CO sports betting by forming a partnership with Cripple Creek’s Double Eagle Hotel and Casino months before the referendum was even held. Under the terms of that deal, PointsBet is tasked with managing the casino’s retail and mobile sportsbook operations.

Double Eagle gains an experienced partner while PointsBet gains access to the CO market. This is emblematic of the win-win relationships local casinos and online betting companies are reaching across the country.

BetAmerica has a similar deal in place with Bronco Billy’s Hotel and Casino for a retail sportsbook and online betting.

How Sports Betting is Regulated

HB 1327 established some basic regulations governing sports betting in Colorado and tasked the Limited Gaming Control Commission with overseeing the industry. The Commission is now in the process of drawing up more detailed regulations, but some of the basic requirements set forth by HB 1327 include:

• Sets a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports
• Sports betting operators taxed 10% on net proceeds
• Each Colorado casino may apply for a sports betting license for a fee not to exceed $125,000
• Each casino may offer in-person betting and a single online betting site / mobile app
• Each casino may contract with a third-party provider to manage its retail and online betting operations
• Casinos may offer wagers on professional, collegiate and Olympic sports events
• Esports betting is prohibited on events that are not sanctioned by a sports governing body

Retail Sportsbooks in Colorado

In addition to mobile sportsbooks, casinos located in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek that acquire sports betting licenses may also construct retail sportsbooks to accept wagers in person.

With reasonable licensing fees and a 10% tax rate, most casinos in Colorado have found it financially viable to launch retail sportsbooks. Sportsbooks that are fully approved were given the go-ahead to begin accepting wagers after May 1^st, 2020 and numerous locations have opened since.

Read more: Colorado Sportsbooks

Daily Fantasy Sports

Colorado formally legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports with the passage of HB 1404 in 2016. The bill created the legal framework under which fantasy sites may operate, established a licensing process for operators and set the ground rules for the conduct of operators.

Under CO law, fantasy contest operators are registered and licensed by the Office of Fantasy Contest Operator Registration and Licensure under the Division of Professions and Occupations. State law distinguishes between large operators and small operators for the purposes of registration and licensing.

Large fantasy operators are defined as those with more than 7,500 active players and must be licensed in Colorado. Small fantasy operators are defined as those with 7,500 or fewer active players and only need to be registered.

Currently, just two daily fantasy providers are licensed in Colorado as large operators:

• FanDuel.com
• DraftKings.com

A larger number of fantasy providers are registered as small operators. Some of the more well-known small operators registered in Colorado include:

• Yahoo Daily Fantasy
• Boom Fantasy
• SidePrize (now PrizePicks)

Under Colorado law, fantasy contest operators must:

• Ensure all customers are at least 18 years of age
• Prevent employees and family members who live in the same household from participating in fantasy contests
• Prevent the sharing of confidential information that could be used by third parties to gain an advantage in fantasy contests
• Prevent athletes and officials who participate in or officiate sports events that are the subject of fantasy contests from participating in those contests
• Provide a means by which customers may self-exclude from participating in fantasy contests
• Segregate customer funds from operational funds
• Distinguish highly experienced players and beginners and ensure highly experienced players are identified as such to all players
• Disclose the number of lineups customers are allowed to enter into each contest
• Prohibit the use of third-party scripts that can be used to gain an advantage over other players
• Clearly disclose all rules that govern its fantasy contests
• Take reasonable steps to limit each customer to a single account
• Contract with a third party to perform an annual audit to ensure compliance with CO fantasy sports law

Colorado Racing Betting

Horse racing betting is legal in Colorado at racetracks, off-track betting facilities (OTBs) and licensed betting sites / mobile apps for customers 18 and older.

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Horse racing and parimutuel wagering are regulated by the Racing Division under the Colorado Department of Revenue. The Racing Division is also responsible for issuing licenses to advance deposit wagering providers (ADWs), which is just a fancy term for racing betting sites.

The three most popular racing betting sites that are licensed in CO are:

• TVG
• TwinSpires
• WatchandWager

Wagers can also be placed in-person at the state’s last remaining racetrack, Arapahoe Park. Arapahoe Park hosts live racing from May through August each year in addition to simulcast wagering on races held around the country during the live racing season.

Eleven other off-track betting facilities in Colorado also offer year-round simulcasting and wagering. The full list of other OTBs includes:

Greyhound racing fell out of favor in Colorado over the early and mid 2000s until the last remaining greyhound track closed in 2008. Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill to formally outlaw greyhound racing in 2014 to permanently end the sport in Colorado.

Licensed OTBs and betting sites may still accept wagers on greyhound races found elsewhere, but live racing is nowhere to be found in Colorado.

Colorado Casinos

Colorado legalized casino in gambling in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek with the passage of the Limited Gaming Act in 1991 following a statewide referendum approved by voters the previous year. The first casinos were up and running by the end of 1991.

Under the law at the time, casinos could only offer accept maximum wagers of $5 on slots, blackjack and poker games. Casinos were also required by close by 2 AM.

Those rules were relaxed in 2008 when voters approved Initiative 50 during the November election. The passage of Initiative 50 increased the maximum wager at Colorado casinos to $100, authorized craps, authorized roulette and allowed casinos to remain open 24 hours a day.

Poker in Colorado

Online poker is illegal across the board in Colorado, but in-person poker games are permitted at casinos and in other locations if certain conditions are met.

Online Poker

State law strictly prohibits online gambling in all its forms, including online poker. Despite what you may read online elsewhere, there are no legal Colorado poker sites operating anywhere in the state.

Certain offshore websites do offer online poker games to CO residents, but those games operate contrary to multiple state and federal laws. These games are unregulated, unlicensed and cannot guarantee the safety of your funds or fairness of the games. We recommend staying far away from such sites.

Poker at Casinos

Licensed casinos in Colorado may host real money cash games and tournaments. Cash poker games in Colorado are subject to the same $100 maximum wager that is applied to all forms of gambling at casinos.

As a result, true no limit cash games do not exist in Colorado. Instead, spread limit games such as $1/$2 and $2/$5 allow players to wager anywhere between $1 and $100 no matter how much is in the pot at any given time.

A number of Colorado poker rooms have closed over the years, leaving four active poker rooms today:

Black Hawk

• Ameristar Poker Room: 22 tables, $1/$3 spread Holdem, $2/$5 spread Holdem, $30/$60 limit Holdem, $50/$100 limit Holdem, $2/$5 spread Big-O and additional game types/limits available on request – most popular poker room in Colorado
• Isle Casino Poker Room: 10 tables, free drinks and table side service, $60 tournaments on Friday sand Saturdays
• Golden Gates Poker Room: 17 tables + a five-table overflow room for tournaments and home of the Colorado Poker Championship

Cripple Creek

• Midnight Rose Poker Room: 8 tables, $1/$2 spread Holdem, $1/$2-$20 spread Holdem, $5/$10 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, $5/$10 Omaha Hi-Lo, open Tuesday through Sunday

Social Poker Games

Social poker games are permitted in Colorado as long as the players have a “bona fide social relationship” outside of gambling.

Home poker games also cannot be run for a profit, either directly or indirectly. This means the host of a poker game cannot charge a rake, entry fee, sell drinks or come up with other creative ways to profit off the game.

Games of Skill

Games of skill played for money are legal in Colorado. CO Rev Statutes § 18-10-102 defines gambling as follows (emphasis ours):

(2) “Gambling” means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include:

(a) Bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries;

(b) Bona fide business transactions which are valid under the law of contracts;

(c) Other acts or transactions now or hereafter expressly authorized by law;

(d) Any game, wager, or transaction which is incidental to a bona fide social relationship, is participated in by natural persons only, and in which no person is participating, directly or indirectly, in professional gambling; or

(e) Repealed.

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(f) Any use of or transaction involving a crane game, as defined in section 12-47.1-103 (5.5), C.R.S.

In other words, state laws on gambling do not apply to real money skill games in Colorado.

A handful of online skill gaming sites headquartered in the United States offer games of skill to CO residents:

• WorldWinner.com: Offers simple games of skill such as Solitaire, Bejeweled, Angry Birds and Scrabble among others. Players compete either heads-up or in tournament fashion for real money payouts.
• GamerSaloon.com: Compete in esports matches or tournaments for real money. GamerSaloon supports all the latest competitive console games.
• PlayersLounge.co: Similar idea to GamerSaloon – compete on your PC or console for real money across a wide range of popular games.

For decades, Illinois was considered one of the least gambling-friendly states in the country. Luckily, that’s no longer the case; in fact, there are plenty of gambling options here. In this guide, our sports betting experts are going to explain how you can find the best Illinois sports betting sites, so you can start placing wagers on your favorite teams.

There are so many options out there that it may seem kind of daunting trying to decide which site to join. Not to worry, though. We’ll help out by explaining the most important features that all the best real money sports betting sites should offer.

If you look below, you’ll find some of the best sports betting sites in Illinois. Feel free to visit any one of them and start betting right now!

The state of Illinois has recently begun to expand its gambling industry, and many are still unaware of the online sports betting laws. Our team will let you know exactly what’s allowed and more in this guide to Illinois sports betting sites.

Here’s What to Look for in Illinois Sports Betting Sites

Today, online sportsbooks in Illinois are only getting better. In fact, most online sportsbooks in the US are great places to start. Unfortunately, some of them have gained reputations for being a little shady. With that said, it’s important to be able to tell a good site from a bad one.

If you learn about the features that only reputable online betting sites offer, you’ll know how to find the best options. Below are the four qualities you should look for in Illinois sports betting sites.

Safe and Simple Payment System

Nothing is more important than safety when betting online. Before you create an account, ensure that your money and your personal information is safe. Only join real money sports betting sites that offer reliable, simple payment options to all of their members.

This shouldn’t be too difficult to find. You can check out some Illinois sports betting sites for yourself and head to their cashier pages to see what forms of payment are accepted. Our gambling site reviews also provide information on the payment systems for many of the country’s best real money betting websites.

We also always recommend for players to join Illinois online sportsbooks that allow debit and credit cards. Withdrawal options differ from site to site, yet most allow Bitcoin payouts. Many sites offer entire pages that explain how to use Bitcoin to collect winnings.

A safe payment system should be the first feature you look for in different Illinois sports betting sites.

Modern Design and User Interface

Some completely overlook how important the design of an online sportsbook is. Don’t make this mistake. The way that a betting website is designed will affect your entire gambling experience.

In our opinion, you should only join online betting sites that offer a simple, clean design. The user interfaces of these sites should be great as well. It should never be too difficult to find the exact odds you’re looking for.

Of course, everyone has a different design preference. One isn’t always better than the other. Just sign up for a website you think is suitable for your needs.

Spend a few minutes checking out some of the Illinois betting sites we listed and compare their designs. The ones we recommend at the top of this page are well-known for offering fantastic user interfaces.

Helpful Customer Support Options

Customer support is another feature of gambling sites that many new gamblers tend to overlook. That’s a shame, because this is one of the best tools available for sports bettors. It’s the only feature that Illinois betting sites have to help their players out.

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. Soon, several state-regulated online sportsbooks will be available here. For those that choose to play through the unregulated websites, a solid customer support feature is hugely important.

There are many different forms of customer support that are being offered nowadays. In our opinion, the best is a live chat feature. It allows you to speak directly with website representatives over text chat.

Stay away from the Illinois sports betting sites if they only offer one method of communication, such as email support or a web contact form. Getting a response through this method could take weeks. Look for the Illinois betting sites providing instant support at any time of day.

The Betting Odds You’re Looking For

You might be surprised to find how many individuals join an online sportsbook without even checking out which odds are available. It’s one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. Just about every single betting site clearly lists the odds that they offer directly on their homepages.

The important thing is making sure there are betting options for the sports you’re interested in. If you love football, check for some sports betting sites in Illinois offering odds on the Chicago Bears or other NFL teams. If you’re a baseball fan, check for websites that provide odds on regular and postseason MLB games.

Don’t be concerned if you aren’t sure about what sports you want to bet on. Nowadays, there are a huge number of amazing novelty betting options, too. Some sites allow you to place entertainment bets like movie outcomes and politics!

Never join any IL online sportsbooks without first checking out which odds are available. The betting websites we featured at the top of this page are known for offering thousands of different odds every single day.

Why Are Sports Betting Sites in Illinois Growing so Popular Right Now?

The rise of sports gambling can be seen around the entire country. This is all thanks to the Supreme Court striking down PASPA in May of 2018. Since that time, every state in the country has been permitted to establish their laws on sports betting, whether that’s online or in person.

A huge number of states now have regulated sports betting options up and running. Even in states that haven’t passed sports betting bills, this industry is growing fast.

We wanted to know exactly why Illinois sports betting sites are so popular right now. Our team reached out to several bettors here and asked why they prefer to make wagers online. Here’s what we heard.

It’s the Most Convenient Option Right Now

Since there are no legal land-based sports betting options available in Illinois, the only real options to place sports bets here are with an illegal bookie on the ground. Or bettors can do it through an online betting site. Most agree that casino sites in Illinois are far more convenient.

Don’t bother looking for a bookie. These sites allow you to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. Many also offer fantastic mobile sports betting platforms. The convenience of these sites has helped them grow more popular every single year.

There Are a Huge Number of Betting Options Available

Have you already checked out any IL online sportsbooks? If so, you may have seen how many amazing online betting options are available. Some betting sites in this state offer more sports betting odds than the top land-based sportsbooks in the country.

Don’t forget—this includes more than just sports odds, too. There are also odds on politics, awards shows, and even the weather! You might be amazed to find just how many incredible betting options are now being offered online.

So, Are IL Sports Betting Sites Actually Legal?

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. But as of February 2020, state officials are still coming up with specific regulations. At the time of writing, there are no state-controlled online sportsbooks here.

Fortunately, there are some fantastic online sports betting sites here that are not directly regulated by the state. The state laws seem to indicate that wagering online is banned.

Some, however, believe these laws do not apply to sites based overseas.

“ … knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet.”

On the surface, it might appear that this law outright bans wagering online. Most feel that these laws are for anyone thinking about operating an online gambling site in the state.

Many are also looking at how this applies to the state’s sports betting industry, considering Illinois lawmakers officially legalized online sports betting recently.

Despite the seemingly harsh laws against it, Illinois’ online gambling industry is growing fast. More individuals are playing at IL sports betting sites every single month. This is especially true now that the state decided to legalize sports gambling.

To sum it up, the state’s online sports betting industry is in kind of a gray area. Soon, state-regulated online sportsbooks will begin operating here and lawmakers are likely to change the current online gaming laws.

Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Illinois Casino Sites?

It’s extremely unlikely. As we showed earlier, Illinois seems to have tough laws towards gambling online. But we have not come across a single case of an individual facing legal trouble for making bets online. Residents of IL hope that online sports betting laws will be official soon.

It’s important to note that we are not lawyers and always recommend you abide by your state laws. For more details on the gambling regulations in Illinois, please contact a gaming law professional. If you head over to our gambling news page, we provide you with constant updates towards sports betting laws around the country.

How Do I Bet Safely Through Sports Betting Sites in IL?

Almost everyone has concerns about safety when first getting into online sports betting. This is still a relatively new industry, and many are unsure about how secure it really is. Fortunately, sports betting sites in Illinois have improved dramatically over the years and most are completely safe.

Of course, some of these sites still have reputations for being a little shady. Generally speaking, however, the shady sites are quickly blacklisted.

It’s very easy to stay completely safe while gambling online nowadays. Here are some steps that you can follow to ensure that your betting experience is nothing but fun.

Only Play Through Reputable Online Sportsbooks

As long as you only make bets through reputable Illinois sports betting sites, there’s a very good chance you’ll never encounter an issue. Competition is high in this industry and these sites work hard to provide their members with the best possible experience. Feel free to check out the online sportsbooks we recommend at the top of this page. Each one is well-known for being completely safe.

Keep Track of Your Money

Some individuals accidentally wager more money than they can afford to lose. You can easily avoid this mistake. Simply keep track of how much money you are betting. If you realize your betting habits are getting out of hand, take a break for a little while. You can also ask someone you trust to help you hold yourself accountable for your spending.

Bet on Sports You Understand

You may have already seen that most online sportsbooks offer thousands of different betting odds every single day. It can be tempting to throw some money on sporting events that you’ve never played in hopes of winning big. With that in mind, we recommend that you only bet on sporting events you know and understand. It will significantly increase your odds of winning.

Understand How Promotions Work

Just about all sports betting sites in Illinois offer their members promotions. In case you’re unaware, these are promotional offers that help boost the amount of money you have to gamble with. Before you decide to utilize any promotions, understand exactly how they work. It will save you from any headaches in the future.

Keep Your Betting Account Information Private

Your online betting account is just like a real bank account. There’s money on the line. If you share your information with anyone, they can access the money without your knowledge. Never give out your account information to anyone. It’s also a good idea to change your account’s password every 90 days.

Legal Betting Sites On Sports

FAQ on Online Sports Betting in Illinois

Legal Betting Sites In Illinois

When Did Illinois Decide to Legalize Sports Betting?

Not long after PASPA was removed in May of 2019, lawmakers began presenting bills to legalize sports wagering. In June of 2019, lawmakers here decided to officially legalize this industry. Both online and land-based sports betting is scheduled to become available here in 2021.

How Much Money Can I Win Playing at IL Online Sportsbooks?

That all depends on you. Not many sports betting sites in Illinois set limits on how much their players can win. The more you bet, the more you can win. Your chances of winning will obviously increase when betting on sports you understand.

What Are Some of the Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites Right Now?

There’s no one single answer for this. Most of the best online sportsbooks in the country are available in Illinois. At the moment, two of our favorites are Bovada and MyBookie. Both are known for offering great sports betting odds and safe payment options.

Is Online Sports Betting Easier Than Land-Based Sports Betting?

When it comes to convenience, absolutely! Online sports wagering allows sports fans to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. In terms of the ability to win, there’s really no difference.

Why Should I Bet on Sports Online?

The choice to bet, or not to bet, online is yours! This industry is growing extremely popular around the country. More individuals are choosing to wager online every single month. If you’re a sports fan looking to win a little extra money, then check out the Illinois sports betting sites we recommend at the top of this page.

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Conclusion

Online Legal Betting Sites

Illinois is in an interesting place right now. Lawmakers here have decided to legalize both land-based and online sports betting. Soon, a huge number of different sportsbooks will begin operating in the state.

Head on over to our gambling blog for all things gambling and sports betting related and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Good luck with your bets!