The best sports betting sites in Colorado 2023
We cover all aspects of legal sports betting in the Centennial State - from top sportsbooks to bet types, sports and bonuses. Read on for expert tips and guides, or browse the toplist to find the sportsbook that is right for you.
Our top recommended Colorado sportsbooks
Sites for Colorado bettors to avoid
With so many legal Colorado online sports betting options, there should be no reason for any bettor to look elsewhere. However, it’s worth reiterating that it’s highly advisable to wager with a reputable and licensed operator. Our list of sites to avoid contains the sites where visitors have reported issues with securing payouts, as well as false advertising problems.
Top online sportsbooks in Colorado
Ever since the Colorado gambling laws started to allow online sports betting, many organizations have rushed to launch sportsbooks here. This means that most of the leading US sportsbooks are now represented in the Centennial State, and bettors have an enviable selection to choose from.
BetRivers
BetRivers was one of the sports betting operators to commence business in Colorado at the earliest possible opportunity, on May 1 2020.
BetRivers is the sportsbook arm of Rush Street Interactive, a major casino brand. It has moved quickly to attain licenses in several states as it evolves to become a leading sports betting operator too.
Its website is welcoming, with a great wagering experience backed up by a notably generous choice of sports. An enticing welcome bonus is followed by good ongoing offers and a user-friendly rewards program. There have been some issues with the mobile app, but these are being addressed.
BetRivers, backed up by its parent company’s long casino experience, is a highly competitive runner in the race for Colorado sports betting custom.
Its land-based partner is JP McGill’s Hotel & Casino.
WynnBET
Since launching in Colorado in December 2020 through a partnership with Bronco Billy’s Casino, WynnBet has become popular because of its simple sports betting approach. Sports selections are focused, and markets cover a range of pre-game and in-play options. New customers registering with WynnBET in CO can currently receive a $100 free bet when they make a bet of $100 with the money they deposit.
Customers also have a collection of betting features, such as cash out, a bet builder, live streaming, and odds boosts. Whether you’re on mobile or PC, WynnBET offers a back-to-basics experience that is available on Windows, Android, and iOS. A wide range of payment methods allows you to deposit and cash out without any compromises.
BetMGM
BetMGM was one of the first group of four sports betting sites to go live in Colorado on May 1 2020. This is a brand that has attained a license in several states and has quickly established itself as one of the leading operators in the USA.
Bettors can enjoy a sumptuous range of sports to bet on, delivered by a well regarded website and mobile app. BetMGM is also known for its innovative function that allows you to edit your bet and change the terms of your wager even after the action is under way.
BetMGM is the result of a joint venture between Entain (a European brand that controls some of the leading sportsbooks in mature markets across the Atlantic) and MGM Resorts International.Its casino partner is the Midnight Rose Casino.
bet365
One of the largest sports betting sites globally, and winner of multiple eGaming Review awards, bet365 has been available in Colorado through a partnership with Century Casino. Since September 2022, customers have been able to sign up with bet365 and claim its welcome bonus, a $200 free bet reward for wagers of $1.
bet365 has established itself as a successful sportsbook thanks to the many available markets and bet types. It also has a huge range of live streams, which allow you to watch events like tennis, soccer, and basketball while you wager. If your team takes the lead, you can use its promotions to get early payouts on NFL, NBA, and NHL.
FanDuel
FanDuel was another brand that went live on May 1 2020. It’s known and liked for the exceptional user experience it delivers, particularly on its mobile app. This is augmented by a vast choice of sports and markets, as well as frequent bonuses and promotions. FanDuel was one of the pioneers of the same-game parlay.
Like DraftKings, its casino partners are the Golden Gates Casino and its Black Hawk neighbor, the Mardi Gras. The fact that the two brands share land-based partners reflects the closeness of their history in recent decades. FanDuel was the other leading Daily Fantasy Sports operator in the years before sports betting was legalized. It has leveraged that experience and the prominence it brought to drive its evolution into one of the very best sports betting brands on the market.
Betway
Betway launched its online Colorado sportsbook on April 5 2021, thanks to its partnership with the Famous Bonanza Casino.
Betway is known for the quality of its user experience on both website and app. It offers markets on a wide range of sports, and makes it exceptionally easy to navigate to the bet you want – and then to place it.
Plenty of events come with live streaming, and there is a solid range of bonuses as well as regular competitions that come with the chance to win big prizes. It will be no surprise to see Betway building a formidable presence in several states in the years to come.
SuperBook
While many people are familiar with the retail SuperBook at the Westgate Casino Las Vegas, the online sportsbook is making a splash in the Colorado market. Available since January 2021 through a partnership with Lodge Casino, SuperBook provides competitive odds on a wide range of markets. It also has an excellent desktop and mobile platform.
Registering with the sportsbook allows players to make the first wager with odds of -200 or less on the same day to get a match bonus of up to $1,000. Covering major and more obscure sports, SuperBook provides a huge number of bets on in-play and pre-game markets. There are also plenty of unique bonuses, including bonus bets for depositing with Paysafecard. Other payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.
Caesars
Caesars went live in Colorado on July 24 2020. This is a brand that has moved quickly to cement its place among the leading providers of sports betting in Colorado and many other states.
A key moment in the development of their online betting proposition was the acquisition of William Hill. Bringing that high level of sports betting expertise on board enabled the evolution of Caesars, one of the most famous names in casinos, to another level.
Caesars backs up an assertive marketing strategy with excellent service to Colorado sports betting fans. This is an outstanding sportsbook with a depth of markets, broad choice of sports and top-notch user experience. Another big plus is that you qualify to become a member of the Caesars Reward program, with benefits that can be enjoyed both online and at any Caesars casino.
Its casino partner is the Lady Luck, Isle of Capri Casino.
PointsBet
PointsBet launched its Colorado sportsbook on November 19 2020. It’s one of the best connected brands locally, having agreed tie-ups with a host of local teams including the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets and the University of Colorado Buffaloes. This may be linked to the fact that PointsBet, originally an Australian company, now has its US headquarters in Colorado.
PointsBet offers a genuinely innovative proposition in the form of PointsBetting. Under this system, the amount of your payout – or loss – is determined by the margin by which your selection wins or loses. This is an exciting way of betting and it’s possible to place a limit on your bet. You can also bet on conventional fixed-odds markets.
There are many reasons to like PointsBet, including its bonuses, app, and highly competitive odds. Its land-based partner is the Double Eagle Hotel & Casino.
FOX Bet
FOX Bet was quick off the mark in the new Colorado sports betting market, launching on May 19 2020.
The brand is co-owned by Flutter Entertainment, which is responsible for other big names including FanDuel and FOX Sports. The latter ensures that there’s a huge amount of exclusive and insightful content from well-known presenters and analysts to inform your betting decisions.
This is a new operation which lags behind brands such as FanDuel due to its lack of live streaming, and the absence of facilities such as the same-game parlay.
However, it scores well for the quality and range of its bonuses, including a risk-free first bet of up to $500 for new customers. There is a strong focus on the major American sports, as you might expect, as well as overseas leagues in basketball.
Its partner is the Lady Luck Casino.
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Popular sports to bet on in Colorado
Colorado sports betting fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to top-level sport on home turf. The state is home to a team in each of the big four professional leagues, ensuring there is plenty of elite-level action here to enjoy – and wager on.
Football (NFL)
Football is the most popular sport in the USA and the NFL is the richest sports league in the world. Its regular season matches command vast audiences, and the Super Bowl is believed to be the biggest global annual event for sports betting.
Colorado is represented at the top table by the Denver Broncos, a team that attracts huge crowds to the Mile High Stadium and has won three Super Bowls, the most recent in 2016. Football, with its frequent breaks in play and relatively high scoring, is an ideal vehicle for betting in play and for over/under prop bets.
Basketball (NBA)
The NBA attracts huge levels of support and interest throughout the regular season and all the way to the NBA Finals. It also commands significant levels of wagering thanks to its high scoring and regular breaks in play.
The level of engagement among Colorado fans of basketball has risen in recent seasons by the exploits of the Denver Nuggets. Inspired by Nikola Jokic (the NBA’s MVP in the 2020-21 season) the team has won divisional titles and reached the playoffs, leading to great excitement in the state – and hopes that the Nuggets could win a first conference crown.
Baseball (MLB)
Colorado has a long history in both minor league and Major League Baseball. Closest to its heart in recent decades has been the Colorado Rockies, based in Denver since 1993. Baseball still commands massive affection among American sports fans for its traditions, its never-ending stream of stats, and its long regular season that culminates in the World Series.
The Rockies have contested the Fall Classic once, in 2007, and their occasional post-season appearance ensures hope springs eternal in the city and beyond. There will always be an appetite for baseball among Colorado sportsbook clients.
Hockey (NHL)
The presence of the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL ensures an ongoing high level of interest in top-level hockey. The Avs moved to Denver in 1995 and earned a place in history as the first relocated NHL team to win the Stanley Cup, a feat they achieved in their first season in their new home.
Another Stanley Cup triumph followed five years later, and they have won a slew of divisional titles during their time in Colorado.
Hockey is an excellent vehicle for sports betting, and the presence of so many sportsbooks in Colorado ensures fans can place wagers on a wide range of games and leagues.
Soccer (MLS)
Across the world, soccer is the number one sport. The presence of so many options for sports betting in Colorado, and the competitiveness of the market, ensures that fans of “the beautiful game” will always have the chance to place wagers on leagues around the globe, as well as international championships.
The MLS has carved out a niche for the sport in the USA – and the Centennial State is represented in the league by the Colorado Rapids. The club was a founding member of the MLS in 1996 and its attendances have always been high, even though the MLS Cup win of 2010 remains the Rapids’ only honor so far.
NCAA Football
As well as a healthy diet of top-level big four action, sports fans in Colorado also have plenty of college sports to savor. The Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado State Rams and Air Force Falcons all play in the FBS, the highest level of college football in the USA. However, there are restrictions when it comes to wagering on football and other college sports in Colorado. Although you can place bets on teams from the state, no proposition bets are allowed – and you cannot wager in play once matches have got under way.
Motorsports
Motorsport attracts a steady level of interest from fans across the USA, and Colorado is no exception. The state is home to the Colorado National Speedway, which hosts some excellent action and is the only venue for NASCAR racing in Colorado.
Fans of motorsport also relish the opportunity to wager on IndyCar racing, Formula One and a host of other sports that indulge America’s love affair with fast four-wheeled competition.
Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports games were legalized in Colorado in 2016. Leading operators including FanDuel and DraftKings are permitted to offer fantasy games to players in the state.
DFS delivers a slightly different take on the wagering experience, as you select players from various teams in action on a game day and score points according to their individual performance. Despite the breadth of sports wagering options in Colorado, DFS games are still popular.
Colorado sports betting facts
With more than 25 online operators now licensed to offer sports betting, Colorado fans have ample opportunity to wager on their favorite games, athletes and leagues. The numbers suggest that a significant amount of people are making the most of that opportunity.
$5billion
the amount wagered at Colorado sportsbooks in the first 18 months of legal operation
21
the minimum age for sports betting in Colorado
19.7%
the proportion of the total betting handle generated by baseball in April 2021
$41million
the handle on a single event, the Super Bowl, in Colorado in 2022
Bet types and markets
The online Colorado sports betting scene is so lively that you can be confident of finding your favorite bets and markets. Most of the leading names in online wagering are now active in the state, which virtually ensures that you’ll find what you’re looking for.
- Singles
- Parlays
- Live bets
- Point spreads
- Over/unders
- Props
Singles, also known as straight bets, are the most straightforward types of wager to place on a sports event. You simply make your selection and place a single stake on that outcome alone. You will know, as soon as you decide on your stake, how much you will win if you have called it right.
Free bets, bonuses and promotions
In a market as fiercely competitive as Colorado, one way in which sportsbooks try to stand out from the crowd is by offering eye-catching bonuses. You should be greeted by a generous welcome offer, with plenty of other opportunities to enjoy extra value on an ongoing basis.
| Bonus | Description |
|---|---|
Welcome bonus | When you register for an account, you should get a handsome reward in the form of a welcome bonus. The effect should be to give your wagering power a significant initial boost, and this can be delivered in various forms. |
No-deposit bonus | It’s possible to get your new account off to a bright start by receiving a bonus simply for registering. With a no-deposit bonus, which can be worth up to $50, you can start wagering without depositing a single cent. |
Risk-free bets | This is a great way to enjoy your first wager. With a risk-free bet, if your initial selection is successful you get your winnings – but if it loses you still get a return. This is usually your stake, in the form of a free bet. |
Cashback | There’s more than one way to receive cash back from an operator. It could be a refund if an event is ruled void, or it might be through parlay insurance, if just one leg of your multiple bet lets you down. |
Enhanced odds | Check out the navigation bar of your sportsbook. If there’s a section called Boosts, that means you can expect odds on particular markets to be enhanced on a regular – even daily – basis, which means a bigger payout if you win. |
Loyalty offers | If you become a dedicated customer, you should qualify for a rewards scheme, or even a VIP program. In return, you should expect to receive exclusive offers, such as free bets and even the chance to win special prizes. |
Legal sports betting in Colorado
Colorado has been comfortable with the concept of gambling for some time. The state is home to more than 30 casinos, almost all of them located in three towns: Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City.
The opportunity to change Colorado gambling laws arose in 2018 when the US Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was unconstitutional. In 2019, House majority leader Alec Garnett introduced a bill to legalize sports betting that narrowly passed through both houses on the last day of the session.
Under Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights, the proposition had to go to a public vote and in November of that year, the electorate gave the green light to sports betting. The first online sportsbooks went live in May 2020, and by the end of that year 15 operators were in action.
All online operators must be partnered with a land-based casino, while the casinos themselves are permitted to operate sportsbooks too.
What is the legal sports betting age in Colorado?
The minimum gambling age in Colorado is 21. This applies to online sports betting, as well as in-person wagering at casinos.
Are Colorado sports betting winnings taxable?
Winnings from any form of gambling are regarded as taxable income by the IRS. You should expect a sportsbook to withhold 25 percent of any return to cover your federal tax payment. There is also a state income tax of 4.83 percent to be considered.
It’s highly recommended that you keep your own record of all wins and losses so that these can be included in your annual tax return and ensure an accurate assessment.
Is all sports betting legal in Colorado?
The terms of the bill under which sports betting in Colorado was legalized imposed certain restrictions. No betting is allowed on awards events such as the Oscars, while wagering on college sports is restricted.
No prop betting or live bets can be taken on matches involving teams from colleges based in the state.
In common with rules across the USA, under Colorado gambling laws you cannot wager on any political events, including local and national elections.
Sports betting and online casinos in the US
Find the latest online gambling legislation updates for your state below.
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How we rate the best sports betting sites
When it comes to sports betting, Colorado is a busy and progressive state. The presence of more than two dozen licensed sportsbooks makes picking the right one a challenging process. Our expert team review each operator and takes several factors into account, including:
Security: Does your operator use top-notch security protocols to protect your data?
Bonuses: Will you receive an attractive welcome offer and ongoing bonuses?
Markets: Can you access a wide range of markets on a broad choice of sports?
Mobile: Is placing a wager through your device a quick and simple process?
Banking: Can you deposit, and withdraw, funds using a payment method that suits you?
Support: Is the customer support team knowledgeable, efficient and quick to act?
Responsible gaming in Colorado
Sports betting in Colorado is, for most people, an exciting and harmless activity. For some people, however, gambling can lead to addiction and severe financial and personal problems. As a result, reputable operators ensure that they encourage their clientele to bet responsibly at all times.
We believe these principles are well worth following:
- Don’t gamble when you’ve been drinking, or when you’re upset
- Don’t wager more than you can afford to lose
- Do ask for assistance if you fear your gambling is getting out of control
- Do visit our responsible gambling page for more help and information
FAQ
Can I bet on sports online in Colorado?
Yes, you can. Colorado gambling laws were changed in 2019 to allow online sports betting to take place, and the first sportsbooks launched in May 2020. There are now more than 25 licensed and regulated online sportsbooks in the Centennial State.
Can I bet anywhere in Colorado?
Yes, the main advantage of Colorado online sports betting is that it’s legal to place a wager through a website or mobile app wherever you’re located within state lines. The only stipulation is that you must be a registered customer of a Colorado sportsbook.
Who regulates legal sports betting in Colorado?
Colorado sports betting is regulated by the Division of Gaming, which is part of the Colorado Department of Revenue – Specialized Business Group.
Do I need to be a resident of CO to bet online?
No, you don’t need to be a Colorado resident to bet online. However, you will need to be physically located within state lines to be able to play. Online sportsbooks utilize geo-location technology to check your location and make sure you are in an area licensed for online sports betting. It’s unwise to switch off this facility on your device, because the operator in question will block your attempts to place any bets.
Can I bet on college and professional sports teams in CO?
Yes, up to a point. There are no restrictions on wagering on professional teams, although if you work in a sport – as a coach, referee, or player, for instance – you’ll be barred from wagering on it. College sports, however, are another matter. While wagering on college sports is not banned, you cannot place a prop bet or a live wager on a game involving a team based in Colorado.
