Colorado Sports Betting: Best Colorado Betting Sites in 2024

Is Online Sports Betting legal in Colorado?

Yes – Colorado legalized sports betting in November 2019 following a state-wide referendum on Proposition DD. Coloradans narrowly voted in favor of the measure, setting the scene for one of the most vibrant sports wagering landscapes in the US. 

Legal sports betting launched in May 2020, with initial operators DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers. The industry has since flowered into one of America's top sports betting states, generating $1,069,786,673 in revenue as of February 2024. 

It also has one of the largest numbers of licensed online sportsbooks, with legal capacity for 30 and almost two dozen at the time of writing, supported by a historic network of Colorado casinos, such as Mardi Gras Casino and Lady Luck Casino. 

Online sportsbooks in the Centennial State have so far taken more than $15 billion in sports wagers, demonstrating the huge popularity among bettors from Denver to Fort Collins. Lawmakers place a 10% tax on sports betting revenue generating over $3,674,385 in December 2023 alone – vital funds for a robust responsible gambling program and various parts of state infrastructure. 

Despite the referendum on legal online sports betting only winning by 51%, the general perception across the state is extremely positive. Coloradans enjoy wagering on five major league teams – Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, and Colorado Rapids – and have access to all the best legal sports betting platforms.

Colorado Sports Betting Updates & Timeline

The Colorado sports betting market enjoyed a smooth and fairly swift ride during the legal process. Here is a rundown of the key milestones: 

• December 2023 – The Colorado sports betting handle reaches $716.4 during December, a monthly record. 
• October 2021 – Lawmakers introduce new legislation to expand college betting on in-state teams. 
• January 2021 – The Colorado online sports betting handle reaches $1 billion in less than a year. 
• July 2020 – DraftKings opens the first retail sportsbook for in-person sports betting at Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk. 
• August 2020 – Additional Colorado sportsbooks like PointsBet launch, quickly increasing the number of options available. 
• July 2020 – Colorado sports betting revenue exceeds $59 million. 
• May 2020 – Legal sports betting in Colorado officially opens on May 1.  
• April 2020 – The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission sets fees and guidelines for licensed sportsbooks, clearing BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers to launch at the end of the month. 
• November 2019 – Coloradans vote narrowly in favor of Proposition DD, with a 51-49 split. Legal Colorado sports betting wins by only 20,000 votes.
• April 2019 – Representative Alec Garnett successfully pushes through a bill to legalize sports betting. Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights requires a public vote on sports betting before it can be signed into law. 
• May 2018 – The Supreme Court makes the landmark decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. 

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Colorado

Our experts pick out the best Colorado sports betting platforms below: 

DraftKings Sportsbook Colorado

DraftKings is one of the top online sportsbooks in Colorado for a plethora of reasons. The DFS platform-turned-sports betting juggernaut has easily the most comprehensive array of sports and betting markets alongside FanDuel, making it a top choice for bettors who like both precision and variety. 

The DraftKings same-game parlay builder is a great example, offering a near-limitless number of options with streamlined software and easily categorized markets. Take advantage of the ongoing all sports same-game parlay insurance promotion for the best experience. Bettors get their stake back as a bonus bet if one leg of a 3+ SGP wager fails – particularly useful for beginners. 

The bonuses at DraftKings are another key advantage over most competitors. New customers can currently claim an up to $1,000 no-sweat bet on their first wager, and the platform has also provided some of the most generous bet and get welcome bonuses in the past. A top-spec sports betting app rounds off the exceptional platform. Read our DraftKings Sportsbook review for more in-depth information. 

FanDuel Sportsbook Colorado 

FanDuel holds the largest market share across the US, and it’s no surprise. The Flutter Entertainment-owned platform – which also runs Paddy Power in the UK – is a globally renowned sports betting company known for user-friendly design, extensive bonuses, accurate odds, and incredibly deep market coverage. 

Bettors familiar with the DraftKings interface will be equally familiar with FanDuel, which uses a similar blend of vertical and horizontal menus to categorize the abundant wagering options. It narrowly beats its competitor on aesthetics, however, with a clearer design and more attractive colorway. This is especially evident with the market-leading mobile app, enjoying a 4.8 out of 5 rating after almost 1,400,000 reviews. Our favorite aspect is the integrated live betting and horizontal screening for live streaming everything from NFL to global tennis. 

And FanDuel doesn’t skimp on its opportunities for bonus bets either. For example, the critically-acclaimed operator gives $150 in bonus bets after an initial $5 wager. This welcome bonus is notable for allowing bettors to use the bonus funds any way they like rather than in fixed amounts – the only place where this is possible other than bet365. Check our expert FanDuel Sportsbook review for everything you need to know. 

bet365 Sportsbook Colorado

After conquering the UK, bet365 has its sights firmly on the US sports betting market. The operator had soft launch back in 2019 but took a few years to hit its stride. It sets a benchmark among competitors for the quality and inventiveness of its ongoing sports betting promos – by far our favorite characteristic. 

bet365 has dozens of existing customer bonuses alongside the popular “Bet Boost” odds enhancements. These include unique options like early payout on NFL, NBA, NCAAB, hockey, and soccer games when your team goes a certain number of points ahead. Elsewhere, you can score a 70% parlay boost or enjoy golf each way extra bets. There are even promos specifically for rugby, something we’ve never seen before in the US. 

The Colorado sportsbook also has arguably the best welcome bonus currently available, with a choice between a $2,000 first bet safety net or $150 in bonus bets. Our experts also love the brilliant betslip, especially the edit bet feature. You can change various aspects of your wager during in-play events, granting unprecedented flexibility. Read more in our bet365 Sportsbook review.  

BetMGM Sportsbook Colorado

BetMGM is the third-most popular US betting site, achieving a lofty market position through its top-tier interface, star-studded advertisements, and many more key selling points. The sportsbook is our favorite aesthetically, stripping back the potentially overwhelming busyness of FanDuel and DraftKings without losing any of the wagering potency. Navigating the website and mobile app is straightforward, with the design team making greater use of separate menus for event-specific betting markets in particular. 

Bettors also enjoy one of the top sports wagering welcome bonuses, with a bet $5 get $150 in bonus bets promotion underpinning the experience. BetMGM also offers a range of ongoing promotions in the same vein as other market leaders but exceeds all competition with its powerful MGM Rewards scheme. Caesars is the only other Colorado sportsbook that comes close.

Our favorite BetMGM selling point is the Select Your Squad option for NFL and NBA franchises. Colorado bettors enjoy regular updates and exclusive promos for the Denver Nuggets and Denver Broncos, providing useful pre-game tips and bonuses. It offers something other Colorado betting sites cannot, especially combined with the highly-rated mobile app. Learn more via our BetMGM Sportsbook review. 

Caesars Sportsbook Colorado

Caesars Sportsbook instantly became one of the most well-known US sportsbooks due to its Las Vegas pedigree, but it certainly doesn't rest on its laurels. As mentioned, Caesars currently has the top loyalty program on the Colorado sports betting market. Caesars Rewards offers numerous benefits for regular bettors – our favorite is the $10 room rates at over 50 Caesars destinations across the US. 

But this is just the start. Caesars profits from its affiliation with global sports betting juggernaut William Hill, providing one of the deepest array of international odds available. We’re particularly impressed by the comprehensive Aussie rules sports betting options, an area that many other platforms neglect. If you’re looking for a sport similar to football during the off-season, Caesars is a top choice. 

The Vegas-based brand also offers a generous welcome bonus for second-chance bet fans. Make an initial wager up to $1,000 and receive your stake as a bonus bet if the prediction fails – a nice way to start. The sports betting platform sticks a 14-day limit on using the bonus bet, more than the seven days typically offered elsewhere. Check out our Caesars Sportsbook review for more in-depth information. 

Colorado Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

Colorado already has all the most popular US sportsbooks, so it’s unlikely any new platforms will be granted a new sports betting license in the near future. However, there is still capacity for new brands to launch in the Centennial State, so the situation may change. Check back here for regular updates. 

Best Sportsbook Promo in Colorado 

Colorado sports bettors are spoilt for choice regarding sportsbook welcome bonuses, with over twenty to choose from. At the time of writing, our experts recommend the bet365 promotion as the industry-leading candidate. New customers can claim a $2,000 first bet safety net or bet $5 get $150 offer – two of the most generous offers on the Colorado sports betting market. 

It’s not often you get the choice between two different promos, delivering a versatility that will suit many betting styles and preferences. For example, beginners can take advantage of $150 in guaranteed bonus bets, while more experienced bettors have a huge up to $2,000 first bet safety net to play with. Just choose your bonus after registering, deposit a $10 minimum, and place at least $5 on your first bet to get started. 

Another hugely advantageous aspect of the bet365 welcome bonus is the ability to use the bonus bets in any way you see fit. The operator allows you to choose how many bonus credits to use on the betslip, much better than other promos like the Caesars promotion that award their bonus bets in one lump sum. We’ll list the most important guidelines for both offers below: 

bet365 Sportsbook $1,000 First Bet Safety Net Welcome Bonus:

• $10 minimum deposit 
• Maximum $2,000 in refunded bonus bets 
• Initial bet must lose
• Bonus bets expire after 90 days of non-activity 

bet365 Sportsbook Bet $5 Get $150 Welcome Bonus

• $10 minimum deposit 
• $5 minimum first bet 
• Initial wager must be on -500 odds 
• Bonus bets expire after 90 days of non-activity 

Requirements to Play at Colorado Sports Betting Sites

Colorado sports betting requirements are similar to other states. The most important include: 

• 21+ 
• Must be verifiably located within Colorado state boundaries and have geolocation switched on
• Must have a valid Colorado Sportsbook account 
• Must abide by responsible gambling measures 
• Must comply with state regulations (i.e. no college sports player prop bets) 

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Colorado

The Centennial State has five professional major league franchises and dozens of other teams to get behind, creating a fertile landscape for Colorado bettors. Whether it’s Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets or the Denver Broncos, there are numerous options close to home. As a result, features like BetMGM’s Select Your Squad option are particularly useful. 

Get to know the most popular leagues and teams for sports betting in Colorado below: 

Colorado Sport Leagues

With five major leagues alongside dozens of college and minor league options, there’s no shortage of competitive Colorado sports betting options. Here are the most popular: 

Colorado Teams to Bet On

The five main Colorado teams to bet on are: 

Other options include college teams like the Colorado Buffaloes (Pac-12), Colorado State Rams (Mountain West), and Air Force Falcons (Mountain West). 

What You Can't Bet On In Colorado

Colorado lawmakers take a fairly relaxed approach to sports betting restrictions, although a few things remain illegal. These include: 

• College Player Props 
• 50/50 Scenarios Based on Chance (i.e. Super Bowl coin toss) 
• eSports 
• Awards Events (i.e. Oscars or Grammys)

Other Types of Gambling in Colorado

Online sports betting is the main attraction in Colorado, but it isn’t the only form of gambling. For example: 

• Land-Based Casinos – Although online casinos are strictly outlawed, Colorado has 33 land-based establishments to choose from. These include Lady Luck Casino, Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, Mardi Gras Casino, Lodge Casino, and Golden Gates Casino.
• Online Sweepstakes – Sweepstakes sites like Pulsz Casino and McLuck are available in Colorado, allowing residents to play slots and other casino games with virtual currency. These platforms offer redeemable cash prizes with no purchase necessary. 
• Horse Racing – Arapahoe Park is Colorado’s only track, but horse racing betting remains popular in the Centennial State. It’s the only state other than New Jersey to currently offer fixed-odds horse racing betting, with bet365 launching the service in February 2024. 

Overview of Colorado Sports Betting Sites

Colorado is one of the top US sports betting states, with a fantastic selection of the country’s leading sportsbook operators. Check this page regularly for updates on the sports betting scene in the Centennial State. Our expert reviews can help you find the right Colorado sportsbook for your preferences. Afterward, all that’s left is registering and claiming the welcome bonus! 

Colorado Sports Betting FAQ