Colorado

Long known for its beautiful landscapes and perfect climate for winter sports fanatics, Colorado is also becoming one of the biggest states in the U.S. when it comes to sports betting. Over a dozen legal mobile betting apps are available, along with retail casinos.

Whether CO residents want to bet on Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes or the Avalanche, they can do so legally on 13 different mobile betting platforms or in retail casinos across the state.

Outside of football, hockey, and the countless other markets legally available to bet on, CO residents can wager on horse and greyhound racing. Daily fantasy sports are also an option for residents in the state who prefer to make money off fantasy football best ball drafts instead of betting point spreads.

DraftKings DFS and FanDuel DFS reign supreme in the state, but residents can also find a wide range of other options, including PrizePicks, Underdog, OwnersBox, ParlayPlay, and Boom Fantasy.

Online sports betting in The Centennial State

In 2019, House Majority Leader Alec Garnett produced a sports betting bill, HB 1327, which made it through both chambers of the state’s general assembly and was brought to a vote. The bill survived the vote by a narrow margin, and just like that, Colorado became yet another state to offer both online and retail sports betting.

If a Colorado bettor does not like a specific sports betting app, they are in luck because they have over a dozen to test out. Colorado has not been shy about handing out licenses to operate in the state, as 13 legal betting apps are currently available for download in either the App Store or Google Play Store.

These sportsbooks range from prominent names like DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and FanDuel to some lesser-known sportsbooks like BetMonarch. Only a few betting apps have been available since sports betting went legal in the state in 2020, as sportsbooks launched in CO in 2021.

Most states only allow up to ten licenses to be out simultaneously, but that is not the case in Colorado. If a sportsbook is growing or just hitting the market, there is a good chance it will find its way into Colorado.

For example, in 2023 alone, both ESPN Bet and the Fanatics Sportsbook went live in CO immediately after being introduced to the market. State law allows up to ten more sportsbooks to join the market, so CO hasn’t even reached its limit on available apps.

All legal CO sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Closed online sportsbooks

Sports betting & gambling legislation in CO

Sports betting would officially launch in CO in May 2020; however, it wouldn’t be long before COVID-19 shut everything down. Despite the virus causing many issues for retail sportsbooks, over 15 mobile betting apps had launched in the state by the end of the year, setting CO up to hit the ground running once sports resumed.

Since then, Colorado has seen a few sportsbooks enter the market and shut down or be absorbed by bigger shops. As the movement continues within CO in terms of operating, we will likely see many more changes in the future.

Amid all the volume customers can access, they must also follow state guidelines regarding betting laws, which include being 21 or older to create a mobile betting account or wager in person at a retail location. These bettors are subject to a 4.40% tax rate on winnings. These winnings are also subject to a federal gambling tax rate of 24%.

Whether a customer wants to use a sportsbook mobile app or web platform, they must be within the state's borders to legally place bets. The bright side is that bettors do have the option to remote registration, so they can create an account on these apps from their residence. The Colorado Division of Gaming enforces these and all other gambling rules.

Ice climbing bets: A high-risk, high-reward addition to Colorado’s gambling market

Ice climbing in Colorado is already an adrenaline-fueled sport, but could it develop into a unique betting market? With breathtaking frozen waterfalls like those in Ouray and Vail, the sport has an ideal setting for record-breaking ascents. Sportsbooks could potentially establish odds on climbers attempting the fastest ascent, highest vertical challenge, or longest free solo climb.

The unpredictability of ice conditions, weather factors, and climber endurance make wagering on these extreme feats both exciting and risky, which means it could be a sport that offers a lot of longshot payouts. While traditional sports dominate the betting landscape, niche extreme sports markets have expanded in recent years; for example, the X Games have made their way onto plenty of sportsbooks. 

Certainly, the ethical concerns surrounding gambling on a dangerous sport could pose a significant challenge. However, like most extreme sports, if approached responsibly, frozen waterfall wagers might evolve into a captivating, high-stakes phenomenon in the betting world.

Most recent updates from the CO sports betting scene

• April 14, 2025: In the first round of the NHL playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche will play the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are (-110) to win the series.

• April 8, 2025: Colorado officials move to dismiss a federal lawsuit from two Native American tribes claiming the state overstepped by regulating online bets placed through tribal sportsbooks. The tribes argue that wagers should be considered on-reservation if servers are located on tribal land.

• April 8, 2025: With just four games remaining in the NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. Denver is now (+800) to win the Western Conference.

• March 10, 2025: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon already has nine points through three games in March, giving him 100 on the season. MacKinnon is (+450) to win the Hart Trophy.

• February 26, 2025: As Spring Training heats up, the Colorado Rockies are (+230) to finish with the worst record in baseball this season, second only to the Chicago White Sox.

• February 20, 2025: With the second half of the season about to start, the Denver Nuggets are (+600) to win the Western Conference and (+1400) to win the NBA Finals.

• February 10, 2025: The 2024-25 NFL season has come to a close, and the Denver Broncos have opened at (+3500) to win the Super Bowl during the 2025-26 season.

• January 30, 2025: After trading away Mikko Rantanen and acquiring Jack Drury & Martin Necas, the Colorado Avalanche are (+700) to win the Western Conference and (+1400) to win the Stanley Cup.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Much like online sports betting, bettors in CO have an excellent variety of options when it comes to retail betting, as there are currently 33 casinos in the state. Since each casino has the option to partner with a different sportsbook operator, the quality of the sportsbook may vary depending on the casino.

Many of these casinos were open long before the state officially launched sports betting in 2020, so they were well-versed in the gambling world before offering sports betting on their property.

From bud to blackjack: Exploring the feasibility of weed casinos in Colorado

Colorado has been a trailblazer in both cannabis legalization and casino gaming, but could these two industries form a marriage that creates cannabis-friendly casinos? With the state already allowing marijuana lounges and boasting a thriving gambling scene in places like Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek, the concept isn’t entirely far-fetched.

A cannabis casino could provide a unique experience, featuring gaming tables, infused cocktails, and dedicated smoking lounges where guests can relax and enjoy THC-infused products between rounds of poker and blackjack. The attraction for tourists seeking both a cannabis and gaming getaway could transform Colorado into a must-visit gambling destination, much like Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

However, legal hurdles present the most significant obstacle to launching an idea like this. Since cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, casinos—many of which are subject to strict federal regulations—would encounter undeniable challenges. Furthermore, there are concerns about how cannabis consumption could impact responsible gaming, which is a legal can of worms that investors in these establishments would want to avoid.

Still, as the U.S. moves toward broader cannabis legalization, Colorado could be at the forefront of pioneering a new, high-stakes market.

Betting Goes to the Dogs: Denver’s Pup Competitions Could Power Novelty Wagers

At Denver’s bustling dog parks and pet festivals, friendly four-legged competition is already a crowd favorite. But what if the city's best pups could also drive a wave of lighthearted, novelty betting? The Dog Show itself has been around for years, so a local and playful take on canine races, agility courses, and costume contests where spectators could place wagers on outcomes like “fastest dog,” “most tennis balls caught,” or “most stylish outfit.”

With organized pet competitions already a staple at places like the Denver Pet Expo, adding a betting element could be a massive success. Not all dog enthusiasts also want to bet on the Broncos or Nuggets, so a simple market like this could open the door to a new wave of bettors and a new wave of income for the state. Not to mention, it could help raise money for animal shelters in the state.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Sports bettors who live in Colorado are set when it comes to market variety, but if they happen to travel to the states near them, that changes fairly quickly. By clicking on the states below, you can see how the surrounding areas are faring in the sports betting industry.

Sports betting revenue impact on Colorado's economy

With Colorado's huge market, it's unsurprising that the state's monthly betting handle consistently averages around $400-500 million and results in $30-40 million or more in revenue, with the busiest months topping such figures quite substantially.

In addition, due to the number of operators in the market, the state also sees a pretty penny in monthly tax revenue. The Colorado state gambling bill, HB 1327, allows sportsbooks that partner with an in-state casino to obtain a license. All sportsbooks in the state are taxed at 10%, which adds up quickly every month. As of April 2025, the total tax income of legal sports betting has already crossed $100 million.

The state has three licenses: a master license, a sports betting operator license, and an internet sports betting operator license. The state’s 33 casinos apply for the master license, which requires a $10,000 upfront fee and a two-year $125,000 licensing fee. Once the license is acquired, these casinos can partner with a land-based or strictly online sportsbook.

Colorado sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: December 2023 ($716,430,270)

• Revenue: January 2025 ($60,909,818)

• Tax Income: January 2025 ($4,443,573)

Latest CO sports betting revenue report breakdown (February 2025)

• Total betting handle: $496,628,781

  • Mobile betting handle: $493,644,175

  • Retail betting handle: $2,984,606

• Total winnings paid to players: $450,251,260

  • Hold: 9.34%

• Total gross revenue: $46,377,521

  • Total adjusted revenue: $34,520,703

• Tax revenue for the state: $3,431,766

Reported by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

What sports did CO bettors wager the most in Feb 2025?

1. Basketball ($165.1m placed bets)

2. College basketball ($60.6m)

3. Tennis ($27.6m)

4. Soccer ($27.5m)

5. Table tennis ($27.0m)

6. Pro football ($26.3m)

7. Hockey ($15.2m)

8. Golf ($6.2m)

9. MMA ($3.2m)

10. Baseball ($1.3m)

11. Other sports ($20.7m)

    • Total amount of parlay bets: $116.0m

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

CO sports betting revenue in 2025

The following table gathers Colorado's sports betting revenue, total handle, and tax income for the year 2025. The percentage in brackets shows the Month-over-Month change compared to the previous month's figures.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

The economic impact of goat yoga and casino retreats in Colorado

Sometimes, bettors need a way to blow off steam and relax or get their minds right before hitting the tables. Well, waking up to crisp mountain air in Boulder, Colorado, stretching into downward dog while friendly goats nuzzle nearby, might be the ideal morning before transitioning seamlessly into an evening of cocktails, blackjack, and rooftop roulette. Welcome to the concept of Goat Yoga & Gambling Retreats, where wellness meets wagering in one of the most scenic, unique, and economically perfect destinations in the West.

This mashup of meditation and money-making could be the ultimate tourism attraction for Boulder and the surrounding region. With wellness tourism already a booming $800 billion global industry and Colorado’s sports betting handle topping $5 billion annually, combining these markets offers a unique opportunity to capture two highly populated, yet traditionally separate, demographics.

Daytime activities like guided meditation, goat yoga, and saunas could turn into lively evenings with responsibly regulated gaming, all framed by Boulder’s iconic Flatirons. Special event weekends could draw in all types of grupos and events, such as bachelorette parties and high-end travelers looking for a unique, social media-worthy getaway.

If created with proper licensing and branding, even a modest seasonal resort could bring in millions in taxable handle while supporting local tourism jobs and growing the state's already strong betting scene.

Why legal wagering on mural contests could be Colorado’s next big bet

Denver’s Crush Walls Festival draws thousands of attendees each year and could become a shocking asset to Colorado’s betting economy if mural battles were turned into a novelty wagering market. With structured judging, timed painting contests, and audience participation, betting could easily be introduced on crowd-vote winners, mural completion times, and more.

If just 0.2% of Colorado’s $4 billion annual average betting handle came from art-related novelty wagers, that would mean $8 million in additional bets, and in turn, translating to $800,000 or more in tax revenue under a 10% tax rate. As sports betting grows, embracing culturally driven and event-based prop betting could help the state stand out, drive tourism-based wagering, and elevate sports off-season revenue.

By tapping into Denver’s art scene, Colorado could become a leader in creative economy gambling while proving that not all high-stakes bets have to come from stadium parking lots or retail sportsbooks.