Colorado Betting Sites

Want to place bets on your favorite sports teams and events in the Centennial State? You’ve come to the right place. This page provides you with the most current information on Colorado’s sports betting laws, as well as a curated list of all the best online sports betting sites available in the state. Whether you’re a complete newbie to sports betting or no stranger to a bet slip, this guide has everything you need. 

Our Top Colorado Sports Betting Sites - October 2023

Is Online Betting Legal in Colorado?

Online betting is legal in Colorado, becoming available in the Centennial State on May 1, 2020. This happened after Governor Jared Polis signed HB 1327 into law in May 2019, and residents approved Proposition DD in the November ballot. The new sports betting laws allowed for online, mobile, and retail sports betting, with a low barrier to entry encouraging plenty of healthy competition within the state’s new sports betting industry. 

Among the first online sportsbooks to debut in Colorado were FanDuel, BetRivers, and DraftKings, each offering a sleek mobile app for convenient wagering on the go. Since then, other leading brands such as Betfred, Caesars, and PointsBet have launched, providing Coloradans plenty of choices for placing their bets. To wager on sports in Colorado, bettors must be 21 or older and physically present within the state’s borders. Betting on college sports is allowed, including when matchups include in-state teams like the Colorado Buffaloes and the Denver Pioneers. However, prop bets on college players are off limits. 

Besides sweepstake casinos, online casino gaming is not available in Colorado. However, players can still enjoy slots and table games in the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos. These include the Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk, home to a Betfred sportsbook since June 2020.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Colorado

Colorado is a hub for sports fans, offering a huge variety of exciting betting opportunities. Whether you’re a football fanatic or a horse racing enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in the Centennial State. Let’s look at some of the top sports and betting options:

NFL

The National Football League is a major favorite among Coloradans, and the state proudly cheers for the Denver Broncos, a storied franchise with a passionate fan base. Three-times Super Bowl winners The Broncos play their home games at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, where a Betfred betting lounge is also available. During football season, bettors can wager on Broncos’ games and other exciting NFL matchups across the country.

NBA 

Basketball fans in Colorado get behind the Denver Nuggets, the state’s professional basketball team. The Nuggets play for the home crowd at the Ball Arena, located in downtown Denver. Throughout the NBA season, bettors can wager on various basketball games, including regular season matches and NBA All-Star Weekend events, as well as the thrilling NBA Finals. 

MLB 

The Colorado Rockies represent Colorado in Major League Baseball and have a loyal following in the state. They play their home games at Coors Field in Denver. With 162 games for the Rockies in the regular season alone, along with potential postseason highlights such as the Division Series and the World Series, there’s no shortage of opportunities for betting on MLB action in Colorado. 

NHL

Hockey fans in Colorado are paid-up supporters of the Colorado Avalanche, the state’s NHL team. The Avalanche, winners of the 2022 Stanley Cup, join the Denver Nuggets in calling downtown Denver’s Ball Arena their home turf. As sports betting continues to gather pace in the state, Colorado hockey fans can now not only cheer on their team but also place bets on NHL games right throughout the season. 

Horse Racing

For bettors who enjoy horse racing, Colorado offers several different ways to wager. Live betting is available at Arapahoe Park, located in Aurora and host of top races like the Mile High Derby. There are also several off-track betting facilities in the state, including Havana Park and Celtic on Market. Additionally, Colorado residents can bet on horse races through betting apps like FanDuel Racing.

Betting Markets Available in Colorado

Colorado’s sports betting scene offers an exciting range of betting markets to cater to every type of bettor. Whether you prefer straightforward wagers or something a little more complex, there’s something for everyone. Let’s explore some of the most popular markets:

Moneyline

One of the simplest and most popular betting options available across a variety of sports, the moneyline bet sees you choose the team or individual you believe will win a sporting event outright. Each team or individual is assigned betting odds, indicating the size of the potential payout for a correct selection. The simplicity of the moneyline bet makes this type of wager the perfect starting point for beginners. 

Parlay

For bettors seeking higher rewards and willing to take on more risk, the parlay bet is an appealing option. With this bet, you combine multiple individual bets into a single wager. These selections can be from different events, and sometimes from the same game. For a parlay to win, all the bets within it must win. If even one pick loses, the entire bet is lost. In this case, some sportsbooks offer parlay insurance, which refunds your stake as a free bet. 

Over/Under

Also known as the totals bet, the over/under wager is a popular option for various sports. In this bet, Colorado sportsbooks set a benchmark for a specific statistic in a game. This could be the total number of points or goals scored by both teams, as well as something like the total number of corners in a Colorado Rapids match. As a bettor, you must predict whether the actual outcome will be over or under the benchmark set by the sportsbook. 

Against the Spread 

Hugely popular in sports like football and basketball, betting ‘against the spread’ sees sportsbooks assign a point spread to opponents in an event to level the playing field. The favored side is given a negative point spread, while the underdog receives a positive point spread. ATS bettors then decide whether the favorite will win by more points than the spread or if the underdog will lose by fewer points than the spread or win by any margin.

Betting Apps Available in Colorado

Mobile betting apps have emerged as a popular option in Colorado’s regulated sports betting market, providing bettors with a convenient and exciting way to place their bets. Whether you want to bet on football, basketball, soccer, or another sport, betting apps put a user-friendly platform complete with biometric logins for added security and optional push notifications for staying updated with the latest betting odds and promotions right at your fingertips. There are loads of fantastic betting apps to choose from in Colorado, and you can find out more about three of the top picks below:

BetRivers

As one of the top Colorado betting apps, BetRivers is a popular choice with bettors. Placing bets on your favorite sports is quick and easy, and there’s always something exciting to bet on. From NFL and NBA to MLB and NHL, this app has got something for everyone. You can bet on pre-game odds or immerse yourself in the action with their live betting feature, which allows you to wager as the games unfold in real-time. BetRivers also impresses with features like live streaming and ‘Prop Central,’ while also standing out for its promotions. There’s a $250 second chance bet available to new bettors, parlay insurance offers, and a loyalty program to help you get the best value from the app over the longer term.

Sports Illustrated

The Sports Illustrated mobile betting app brings the iconic media brand into the world of online sports wagering. With an interface that users describe as being both slick and quick, the Sports Illustrated app offers a variety of betting options across a range of different sports. Users can enjoy access to expert picks, in-depth sporting analysis, and exclusive content from Sports Illustrated writers. The welcome bonus is a little on the small side compared to some sportsbooks, offering $50 in free bonus bets to new customers who bet $10. However, the SI app for Colorado picks up the pace with plenty of offers for loyal bettors, including a Sunday baseball bonus and boosted odds daily. 

Caesars

Caesars has a brilliant mobile sportsbook app, offering a wide range of sports to wager on, from major leagues like NFL and NBA to exciting international events. Customers are treated like VIPs with competitive betting odds and tempting promotions, including a generous risk-free first bet up to $1,250 for new customers, along with a guaranteed 1,000 Reward Credits and 1,000 Tier Credits for the Caesars Rewards program. Available on both Android and iOS, the user-friendly app offers live betting and helpful customer support, making it a top choice among bettors in Colorado. You can download the Caesars Colorado sportsbook app for free from the App Store and Google Play. 

Payment Methods Available at Colorado Betting Sites

When it comes to funding your new online sportsbook in Colorado, you have several secure and convenient payment options to choose from. Here are some of the most commonly available methods. 

Bank Cards

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted at Colorado sports betting sites, with major providers like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express offering quick and easy deposits. One of the benefits of using bank cards is that you can start betting instantly without the need to set up additional accounts. However, be aware that some banks may decline gambling transactions, so having an alternative payment option in mind is recommended.

e-Wallets

e-Wallets like PayPal and Neteller are popular among online bettors for their convenience and enhanced security features. You can easily deposit and withdraw funds from your sportsbook account using these e-wallets, revealing only your email address and never your private banking information. Another advantage of digital wallets is that they offer quicker processing times than other banking services, allowing you to access your winnings faster. 

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are a convenient option for Colorado bettors, with Play+ standing out as one of the most popular choices. Play+ is a reloadable card that accepts top ups from various sources. Plus, it’s often available as a sportsbook branded card. Unlike many prepaid card options, Play+ can handle withdrawals, making it an all-round banking solution that should suit most customers.

Wire Transfer

A more traditional choice, wire transfers are suitable for larger transactions and preferred by high rollers. However, they might involve longer processing times and higher minimum and maximum amounts compared to other banking methods. One of the benefits of using wire transfers is that they provide a secure way to transfer large sums of money, making it ideal for bettors who prefer to place bigger bets.

Colorado Betting Timeline

Curious how legal online sports betting came to pass in Colorado? Here are some of the key milestones that led to the introduction of online betting in the Centennial State: 

2018 – The US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), giving individual states the authority to legalize sports betting. 

2019 – In May, Gov. Jared Polis signed HB 1327 into law, making Colorado the 19th state to legalize sports betting. The legislation allowed for both online and retail sports betting. In the subsequent November ballot, residents also gave the green light to sports betting, narrowly approving Proposition DD. 

2020 – On May 1, online sports betting officially launched in Colorado, with several operators entering the market, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers. 

2021 – Colorado continued to attract new sportsbook operators, with Betway and Sports Illustrated among those debuting in the state. 

Compare Colorado Betting Sites and Sign Up

Ready to back your favorite Colorado sports team and perhaps make a profit too? It’s easy to get started. Simply compare our recommended Colorado betting sites, choose your favorite, and then click through to register and claim your sign-up offer. 

Frequently Asked Questions