Colorado Sports Betting

Colorado sports betting has been a reality since 2019, when the state legislature approved online sportsbooks. Now, Colorado is one of the most robust sports betting markets in the US. It’s a true gambling hub, especially compared to some of its more hesitant neighboring states.

To bet online in Colorado, you need to meet two requirements. First, you must be 21 years old or above. Sportsbooks will confirm this using your photo ID, SSN, and some other identifying information when you sign up. Second, you need to be physically located in the state of Colorado. If you’re using a mobile device, this will be confirmed using the built-in GPS. If you use a desktop device, you’ll have to install a separate geolocation plugin to confirm you’re within state lines.

Those are the only two major requirements for Colorado sports betting.

As for the sportsbooks available, Colorado has a whopping 25 sportsbooks—almost one for each letter of the alphabet (though they don’t all start with a different letter, unfortunately). This makes Colorado one of the best sportsbook markets for bettors because there are so many options to choose from. Here’s the full list:

• Caesars
• betMGM
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• BetRivers
• Betfred
• Sports Illustrated Sportsbook
• MaximBet
• PointsBet
• FOX Bet
• Barstool
• Betway
• Circa Sports
• BetMonarch
• SBK
• BetWildwood
• Sky Ute
• Tipico
• Elite
• Play maverick Sportsbook
• Superbook
• PlayUp
• WynnBET
• Betsafe

Some of those might seem like random words, but we promise they’re full-fledged sportsbooks available in CO.

Colorado sports betting sites offer lines on professional and college sports in droves. The only restriction is a prohibition on college prop bets. You can bet on the outcome of a college game, but you can find bets on player passing yards or similar bets.

Whew, that’s quite a lot to cover. With the basics out of the way, let’s dive into everything a bettor might want to know about Colorado sports betting.

Truth be told, there’s not much of a story when it comes to Colorado sports betting. The state set forth a measure to approve online betting and passed it.

There are a few interesting details, of course. It started at the federal level, when the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. Colorado was quick to act, putting forth Proposition DD in May 2019. The measure passed, but narrowly. The vote was 51.41% to 48.59%. A win’s a win, though, and both retail and mobile betting became legal in Colorado. Many sportsbooks launched soon after, making the state one of the best sports betting markets in the western United States.

Colorado legalized both retail and mobile sports betting in one fell swoop. That's a slightly different journey compared to other markets.

The only downside to Colorado sports betting is the prohibition on college prop betting. It's possible this could change, as many other mature markets like New Jersey and Illinois are already attempting to walk back similar legislation.

Going into minute detail about 25 different sportsbooks would be a hefty task. Instead, we’ll run through the highlights and discuss the best sportsbooks you can play at in Colorado. Keep in mind you have many options, so these aren’t the only places to bet. Instead, treat this list as our top recommended sites, but remember you can play at any of the state’s 25 sportsbooks.

DraftKings

Look, “King” is right there in the name, and it’s well earned. DraftKings is one of the best sportsbooks in any market, and Colorado is no exception. The sportsbooks run smoothly through any function. The odds and lines are competitive. The promos are fantastic. Everything about DraftKings just works as it should. There’s a reason it’s a top choice among many bettors across the US.

Add on top of that a great welcome bonus—a 20% deposit match up to $1,000—and you’ve got every reason to sign up for DraftKings Colorado.

Not ready to shell out a full $5,000 to get the full bonus? Not to worry. You can deposit what you’re comfortable with, and DraftKings will match 20% of that. So if you deposit $100, you’ll get a $20 match.

FanDuel

There’s a reason you often hear FanDuel and DraftKings mentioned in tandem. The fierce rivals both provide excellent sports betting experiences. For our money, FanDuel is the top choice in terms of sheer aesthetic and functionality. It looks nice, everything is easy to navigate, and it competes with all the other major books in terms of odds, promos, and deposit/withdrawal options.

When you sign up for FanDuel, you’ll get a no-sweat first bet up to $1,000. Place your first wager, and if it loses, you’ll be refunded your wager amount in free bets.

Sports Illustrated

That's right, the magazine. Sports Illustrated has made the leap from print and digital publication to betting operator. And to be honest, it’s a better platform than you might expect. Sports Illustrated sportsbook isn’t the fastest or the sleekest, but it gets the job done. It integrates well with the company’s media offering, so it’s an ideal fit for fans of Sports Illustrated who also enjoy betting.

Sports Illustrated offers a straightforward bonus: Bet $10, get eight $10 free bets.

PointsBet

PointsBet is one of the most unique sportsbooks available in any market, Colorado included. It has all the trappings of the other sportsbooks on this list—great odds, intuitive interface, solid promotions—but it goes a step further. There are two features that only PointsBet offers.

First is a name your bet feature, which allows you to tweet at PointsBet and request a market they don’t already have listed on the sportsbook. The trading team can set the odds and list the market for you to bet on.

Second is PointsBetting, a bet type in which the degree of your win or loss directly impacts your payout. It’s high risk, high reward.

Signing up for PointsBet Colorado gets you two risk-free bets: one traditional bet up to $500 and one PointsBetting wager up to $1,500.

Caesars

Caesars offers an all-around great sports betting experience. Like the other sportsbooks on this list, it has a great app, solid odds, and good promos. The added benefit of Caesars is a phenomenal rewards program, in which your credits can also be used or earned at Caesars land-based properties.

Sign up for Caesars CO and you’ll get a risk-free bet up to $1,250 plus 1,000Reward Credits and 1,000 Tier Credits.

BetRivers

BetRivers has carved out quite a name for itself in many markets. The sportsbook excels at localized promotions and offers, making it a great choice anywhere, including Colorado.

New BetRivers bettors get a 2nd chance bet up to $500 when they sign up. It’s essentially the same as a risk-free bet.

BetMGM

Last but not least on our list is BetMGM, another land-based gambling juggernaut that made the leap into the online space. BetMGM calls itself the king of sportsbooks, and it certainly earns the crown in many ways.

BetMGM boasts a wide array of sports to bet on, plenty of promotions, and a recently redesigned app that makes the entire experience more streamlined than ever.

BetMGM’s bonus is a risk-free first bet up to $1,000.

Here, we’ll divide the process of placing a bet into two parts: signing up and making a wager. If you already have an account, you can skip right to the second part!

Signing Up For CO Sportsbooks

First, decide which sportsbook is right for you. You can always sign up for more than one if you choose.

From there, download the sportsbook app or head to the desktop site. If using desktop, you’ll have to go through the added step of installing a geolocation plugin. For mobile users, CO sportsbooks are available at the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Simply download the app like you would with any other.

Now start the registration process. This will feel familiar if you’ve ever created an online account…well, anywhere. Social media sites, online banks, etc. The process is super similar, though sportsbooks require some extra personal information.

Provide all the requested info, which usually includes:

• First and last name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• Date of birth
• Password (you will create one)
• Photo ID
• Social Security Number

Next, make a deposit. You should also check the promos page to opt-in for sign-up bonuses to ensure you get them.

Now you’re ready to place a bet.

Placing A Wager At CO Sportsbooks

Your first step is to find the wager you’d like to make. It’s pretty simple. You can sift through the sportsbook’s homepage if you’d like, or navigate through the menus to find the sport you wish to bet on.

Select the wager you’d like to make to add it to your betslip. This usually involves simply clicking or tapping on it.

Head to your betslip, then type the amount of your wager. The sportsbook will tell you how much you’ll win if the bet is successful.

Select “place bet” and wait until the sportsbook confirms your wager has been placed.

Here’s a rundown of some of Colorado’s most popular sports teams and how you can bet on them.

NHL: Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche is one of the top teams in the NHL right now. YOu can find all sorts of bets available on the team, including moneylines, spreads, totals, and props. Hockey also has the 60-minute bet option, which has you wager on the outcome after regulation play ends.

MLB: Colorado Rockies

Baseball betting is popular across the US because the sport is slow and strategic. Match-ups are often expected to be close, so the MLB is a prime spot for moneyline wagers. YOu can of course bet on all sorts of other outcomes, including player performance, home run hits, strikeouts, and more.

NFL: Denver Broncos

The NFL is one of the biggest betting leagues in the US. Denver is led by QB Russell Wilson, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks.

Because of football’s widespread popularity, there’s a whole slew of betting options on the NFL and the Broncos in Colorado. Standard bets are of course available, but props and other bets abound. You won’t have any trouble finding football bets at CO sportsbooks.

NBA: Denver Nuggets

Basketball's fast pace and stats-heavy play make it a shoo-in for eager bettors. The Nuggets offer plenty of wagering opportunities, whether you prefer to bet on straight-up outcomes or build player prop parlays.

MLS: Colorado Rapids

Colorado’s Major League Soccer team is completely bettable at the state’s sportsbooks. Soccer is an interesting betting sport because it goes beyond the typical bet types and includes the option to bet on a draw.

NCAA Teams

You can bet on CO college teams such as the Colorado University Buffaloes at the state’s online sportsbooks. College prop bets are prohibited, so you’ll need to stick to the usual moneylines, point spreads, and totals.

Individual & International Sports

Golf, rugby, cricket, darts, tennis, NASCAR…the list goes on. Colorado sportsbooks offer a plethora of betting options beyond the major team sports.

Offshore and gray market sportsbooks are available across the US, but we don’t recommend using them. This is especially true in a market like Colorado, where there are more than two dozen fully legal sportsbooks to choose from.

There are myriad reasons to avoid offshore books. Here are just a few.

Better Bonuses

Colorado sportsbooks want to compete for your business This means you have access to sign-up bonuses and promotions for existing bettors. Offshore books might have promotions, but it’s a safe bet they won’t be as good as what CO’s legal sportsbooks have to offer.

Safety And Security

Legal sportsbooks must meet rigorous regulatory and legal standards set by the bodies that govern online sports betting in Colorado. Offshore books might not have such strict stipulations, so there’s no guarantee your information is safe with them.

Competitive Odds

At legal sportsbooks, you can compare odds and find the most advantageous possible payout on your chosen wager. At offshore books, you might be stuck with a less-than-ideal line.

Most—if not all—of Colorado’s legal sportsbooks will have a mobile app available for iOS and Android. You can find these apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play store and download them as normal.

Mobile betting comes with obvious benefits, the main one being sheer convenience. You can bet on the go as long as you have a signal and you’re within Colorado state lines. This also makes mobile the better choice for live betting, during which speed is of the utmost importance.

Our sports betting experts have got you Covered with the latest state by state news and updates:

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