Can I Bet Online In Colorado
- Sports betting is legal in Colorado as of May 1st, 2020, and it’s up and running. This means that bettors can use any of the approved platforms to wager on sports in the state of Colorado, both at online and retail sportsbooks.
- BET ONLINE Can't Get to Arapahoe Park? Making a trip out to Arapahoe Park to watch the races and bet on your favorite horses isn't always in the cards. Sometimes, you can't even make it to the nearest Colorado OTB. That's why betting on horses online is so popular!
As far as legal sports betting options in Colorado go, almost anything is legal. Online betting on the four major sports teams (the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies) in Colorado is possible. Unlike many other states, Colorado does not restrict college basketball, college football or e-sports betting. Starting May 1, gamblers can bet on sports at licensed Colorado casinos and via web-based or mobile apps John Locher, Associated Press file In this March 15, 2018, photo, a board displays odds for.
The Colorado Constitution and Colorado law allow only certain types of 'gambling.' In addition to limited gaming in Colorado casinos, the following forms of gambling are legal:
- Colorado Division of Racing-Live and off-track betting on horse racing events
- Secretary of State's Office - Licensing & Regulations for bingo, raffles and charitable games.
- 'Social' Gambling (See Social Gambling Exception below)
All other forms of gambling are prohibited.
Information and commonly asked questions about both legal and illegal gambling activities:
Although the Division of Gaming cannot provide any legal advice, the following is some guidance based upon what has been deemed illegal under Colorado law. Counties and municipalities would have jurisdiction over these matters and may have local ordinances that also address gambling issues, so we encourage you to contact your local district attorney or city attorney's office for guidance because the Division only regulates casino gambling in Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk.
Colorado law does allow charitable organizations to sponsor gambling events at a licensed retailer/operator. (This means a licensed casino in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk or Central City, Colorado.) The provisions governing these events are found in Colorado Revised Statutes, sections 12-47.1-901, 902 and 903. (View Colorado's gaming statutes.)
Outside of the gaming towns, criminal statutes govern gambling activity. For 'gambling' to occur, three elements must be present: consideration, chance, and reward. These elements are sometimes expressed as 'payment, luck, and prize.' The first level of inquiry, then, is whether all three of these components are present, because by eliminating any one of them, the activity would not meet the definition of 'gambling' as set forth in Colorado law.
For example, if the consideration component is eliminated and no fee, buy-in or other money is required or solicited from the participants, then prizes may be awarded to the player(s) who perform well in a casino type game. This is how several organized poker tournaments are able to operate legally outside the three gaming towns. On the other hand, if an organization charges a donation, fee or other buy-in for the casino games or just for the event, then it cannot legally distribute prizes or money based upon who wins or plays well in the casino type games. Such an organization could legally conduct a drawing, door prize or raffle as long as the prizes are awarded randomly and are not tied to success in the casino type game(s). Likewise, the organization could legally conduct the casino type games for the pure entertainment value alone. By disconnecting any prize or money from the risk element of the casino type game(s), such activity would arguably not meet the definition of gambling.
Although there is a social gambling exception in statute, the Colorado Supreme Court has held that charitable events do not qualify. Charnes v Central City Opera House 1989.pdf
Because a charity event typically seeks to raise money, the only way to hold a casino night where participants pay or donate money, is to hold the casino games for entertainment value only. In other words, there can be NO cash or other prizes awarded as a result of the games played. However, a raffle or door prize scenario where anybody can win the prize without regard to how they played or if they played the games is an option.
Companies do exist that will rent the needed equipment for casino type games. Lastly, if the charitable event will involve a liquor license, the Division of Liquor Enforcement could provide guidance on these issues.
Colorado Division of Gaming
May 2014
'Find a penny, pick it up,' might be a familiar childhood rhyme, but in Colorado casinos, keeping found money in or from a casino is a violation of state gaming law.
When Colorado voters legalized limited gaming in 1990, slot machines typically used coins: pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. In many jurisdictions outside of Colorado, people would walk around casinos, glancing at empty slot machines, looking for any coins left behind. The name 'silver miners' was coined to describe people who looked for money around casino games.
Slot machines keep track of how much money has been played and how much money has been won or lost, but in recent years, most slot machines have migrated to modern technology where the machine does not spill out coins when there's a jackpot. Electronic bells and whistles have taken the place of the happy jangle of a pile of coins spilling into a metal tray.
The problem of people 'mining' for dropped coins has also evolved along with technology. People may be questioned or even charged with Fraudulent Acts if they sit down at a slot machine and play off credits another player has left behind.
Buckets of jackpot coins have been replaced with slips of paper, called 'TITO‚' slips for 'ticket in, ticket out.' When a player finishes playing a slot machine and has credits accumulated on the machine, he or she can cash out the winnings, which is a printed slip of paper showing the balance. That TITO slip can be reinserted into another slot machine, redeemed at a kiosk, or turned into a casino cashier in exchange for cash.
So if a person sits down at a slot machine and plays someone else's credits, how do casino staff and Division of Gaming investigators determine just whose money is being played? For starters, every slot machine is under surveillance. Surveillance video can determine who played, how much they bet, how long they played, and whether jackpots were won. Event logs maintained on each slot machine can verify every transaction that took place, including game play history.
Likewise, if the first or second player used a player card (a player-specific card issued by the casino to track player use as well as link the player to promotions and marketing opportunities), transactions that took place on the slot machine after the card was inserted by the patron can be accessed to view the details.
Sometimes the second player sits down at a slot machine and simply doesn't recognize that there are credits on the machine, and may insert additional money on top of existing credits. The slot machine event logs, as well as the visual information from surveillance, is usually enough to determine if either player is owed credits or money. A player who finds someone else's credits and plays them off can be issued a citation under the Fraudulent Acts law.
If you find a lost ticket, cash or coins on the casino floor, let a casino staff member know. If you want to play a vacant slot machine and discover someone else's credits are waiting, you can find another machine or notify a casino staff member to properly document and remove the existing credits so you can play. If a patron returns to the casino looking for the lost ticket or money, the casino will return their property. If they return to a slot machine where they have left credits, the casino can return those as well. But there is no allowance under Colorado law for 'finders keepers' to keep a windfall.
2014
Colorado law allows a 'social gambling' exception, which allows 'gambling' that is incidental to a bona fide social relationship and is participated in by natural persons. A 'bona fide social relationship' means that the parties must have an established social relationship based upon some other common interest other than the gambling activity.
Further, one participating in such social game cannot directly or indirectly participate in 'professional gambling,' which is defined in Colorado law as 'aiding or inducing another to engage in gambling, with the intent to derive a profit therefrom.' This generally means that no one other than the players can profit from the game or activity in any manner. The profit does not need to be direct profit. Colorado law defines 'profit' as any 'realized or unrealized benefit, direct or indirect, including without limitation benefits from proprietorship, management, or unequal advantage in a series of transactions.'
These two criteria - a bona fide social relationship and no profit motive - must be present for a gambling activity to be considered legal 'social gambling.'
The Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission have worked together to put together this response for information purposes only. This response should not be construed as a legal opinion, and you should consult with legal counsel before taking final action regarding the information in this response. Further, this response only encompasses Colorado State statutes. County and municipal jurisdictions may have local ordinances that may also address gambling issues. You should contact your local district attorney's office to determine these ordinances.
The first consideration in determining if a poker tournament or 'casino night' is allowed under social gambling laws is whether the activity is defined as 'gambling.' For gambling to occur, three factors must be present - consideration, chance and reward. These can be better described as 'payment, luck and prize.' If any of these three factors is not present, then the activity is not considered gambling. For example, if no donation, fee, buy-in, tips, drink minimums or any other monetary consideration are required or solicited from the participants in a poker tournament or casino night, then prizes may be awarded to the player(s) who perform well during the tournament or games.
On the other hand, if an organization charges a donation, fee or other buy-in for a poker tournament or casino night, then it cannot legally distribute prizes based upon who wins or plays well in the tournament or event. Such organization could legally conduct a drawing, door prize or raffle as long as the prizes are randomly awarded and are not tied to success in the tournament or event. Likewise, the organization could legally conduct the tournament or casino night for the pure entertainment value alone. By disconnecting the prize from the risk element of the poker or other event, such activity would arguably not meet the definition of gambling. The Colorado Secretary of State handles permits for bingo and raffle events. This paragraph applies even if the poker tournament or casino night is for charity and/or the prizes are donated.
Once the activity has met the legal definition of 'gambling,' it can still be a legal activity if it meets the 'social gambling' exception in Colorado statute.
Internet gambling is illegal under state and federal laws. Colorado law prohibits the transmission or reception of gambling information by any means. The federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, signed into law in October 2006, prohibits online gamblers from using credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to place and settle bets. Further, the federal 1961 Wire Act also prohibits the use of wire communications in interstate or foreign commerce for the placing of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers.
Unlike participants in legalized forms of gambling, persons who wager on online casinos have no recourse with any state agency should they not be paid for winning wagers or have any other dispute with the entity with which they are placing their bets. Furthermore, players are not guaranteed odds. By statute, slot and video machines in Colorado casinos must pay out between 80 percent and 100 percent. Online casinos are not required to have minimum payouts and are under no form of regulatory control to ensure compliance with any payout controls.
Many online sites advertise they are 'legal' and 'licensed' forms of wagering. They may be legal or licensed where the bets are received, but it remains illegal to place bets from Colorado with these businesses.
In addition, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission prohibits persons and businesses licensed in the casino industry in Colorado from having any involvement with internet gaming sites that can be accessed by Colorado residents.
If money grew on trees, the entire country would probably move to enjoy the lush vegetation Colorado has to offer. While this isn’t a reality, the ability to make money gambling online in Colorado is real! In fact, real money casino action is alive and well at the best Colorado online casinos. Here’s an up-to-date list of the top Colorado online casino sites currently available to you.| Rank | Online Casino | Key Info | Bonus Info | Visit Casino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
| |||
| #2 |
| |||
| #3 |
| |||
| #4 |
| |||
| #5 |
|
Why Are These the Top Colorado Online Casino Sites?
Offering online casino action to Colorado residents is not the only criteria needed to make our recommended list. These online casino sites need to excel in many different areas for consideration. Here are some of the things that we feel are the most essential traits required:
- A track record of excellence in safety and security
- Offers Colorado residents their favorite casino games
- High-quality games, software, and experience
For a detailed breakdown of our review process, check out our page on how we rate online casinos.
A Track Record of Excellence in Safety and Security
Safety and security are the first two factors we always look at when assessing top Colorado online casinos. They are the foundation for a positive online gambling experience. Without a strong track record in these two areas, online casino sites can’t possibly expect to thrive in today’s gaming climate.
Some of the questions our team asks when reviewing and ranking are the following.
- Do they have proper SSL encryption installed?
- Are they proactively working to eliminate digital threats?
- Do they have dedicated fraud specialists on staff?
- Are they using up-to-date servers and security protocols?
Colorado Residents’ Favorite Casino Games
Residents of Colorado have a particular love for certain casino games like blackjack, craps, and slots. With an annual gross gaming revenue of almost a billion dollars, it’s no secret they love their action.
| 2018 Gross Gambling Revenue by State (In Million US Dollars) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 842.1 | ||
| Nevada | 11,917.37 | ||
| Pennsylvania | 3,251.2 | ||
| New Jersey | 2,903.48 | ||
| New York | 2,587.74 | ||
| Louisiana | 2,561.46 | ||
| Indiana | 2,240.84 | ||
| Mississippi | 2,142.06 | ||
| Ohio | 1,863.94 | ||
| Missouri | 1,754.47 | ||
| Maryland | 1,746.36 | ||
| Iowa | 1,467.33 | ||
| Michigan | 1,444.1 | ||
| Illinois | 1,373.46 | ||
| Rhode Island | 656.55 | ||
| West Virginia | 623.76 | ||
| Florida | 569.02 | ||
| Delaware | 432.51 | ||
| Kansas | 408.57 | ||
| Massachusetts | 273.07 | ||
| New Mexico | 235.45 | ||
| Maine | 143.73 | ||
| Oklahoma | 139.61 | ||
| South Dakota | 106.32 | ||
| Total | 41,684 | ||
When deciding on the top CO online casinos to recommend, we put a lot of weight on these games. While our primary goal is a well-rounded real money online gambling experience, we want to know that quality versions of the games Colorado residents love are available. We test all games, but we dedicate additional time and resources to these specific offerings.
High-Quality Games, Software, and Experience
Safe and secure online environment? Check.
Offers games Colorado residents want to play? Check.
High-quality games, software, and experience? …
The key to getting on our list of the best Colorado online casino sites is offering the highest-quality across the board. Here’s our quality control checklist when evaluating Colorado online casinos.
Quality Control Checklist for Online Casino Sites
| Newest games, updated to latest versions | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Classic games available | ✔️ or ❌ |
| High-quality, high-resolution graphics | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Seamless animations with no lag | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Sufficient servers for optimal game speed | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Fair games and true random number generation | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Quality customer service | ✔️ or ❌ |
A Look at the Legality of Brick and Mortar Casinos in Colorado
Colorado gambling is regulated by three specific sections of code:
- COLO. REV. STAT. §12-47.1-101 et seq
- COLO. REV. STAT. §12-60-101 et seq
- COLO. REV. STAT. §12-47.1-101 et seq
According to Find Law’s breakdown of the CO gambling laws, brick and mortar casino operations in Colorado are legal on a limited basis. Casinos are permitted, but they can only offer slot machines, poker, and blackjack (with a maximum bet of $5).
Indian casinos in Colorado can offer full action to Colorado residents and guests.
Here is the complete list of takeaways from the breakdown:
- Slot machines and live poker are legal in Colorado
- Blackjack is permitted with a maximum single bet of $5
- Greyhound racing and off-track simulcasts are legal (as of April 2003)
- Indian casinos can offer full-service casino action to patrons
The Brick and Mortar Landscape in CO by the Numbers
- 38 casinos
- 14,346 slot and gaming machines
- 220 table games
- 118 live poker tables
- Maximum casino bet is $100
- 7 cities offering gambling
Are Colorado Online Casinos Lawful?
If you read through the Colorado legal codes that were stated above, you may have noticed something—there’s no mention of online gambling or Colorado online casino sites at all. It’s our stance that because this isn’t addressed, online casino action in Colorado is legal. For something to be illegal, it must break the law. If there are no laws to break, it can’t be illegal.
While this is cut and dry to us, there are some legal interpretations of the code that differ. Some claim that because it’s not outlined clearly, it’s illegal by default. Our counterargument to this is simple and takes many forms.
The bottom line is this. Yes, the legality of Colorado online casinos could be more explicit. But just because the legal code isn’t crystal clear does not automatically make it illegal. In our interpretation, online gambling in Colorado is legal. If you need a more definitive answer, though, consult an attorney.
Bold Predictions for the Future of Colorado Online Casino Sites
We predict that Colorado will help lead the charge towards full online casino regulation in the near future. We expect the Colorado government to outline legislation that regulates and paves the way for significant expansion in the gaming market.
Why? Well, Colorado has a track record of making liberal decisions. Typically, liberal governments push to let people do what they want (within reason). Additionally, we’ve seen movement and rumblings within the gambling community in the state hinting towards changes on the horizon.
When do we expect this to happen? We can’t say for sure.
We can’t even guarantee that our predictions will come to fruition. But in the meantime, you’re free to enjoy the Colorado online casinos already servicing the market.
If changes happen, we’d expect many more Colorado online casino sites to enter the market and for overall regulation to increase. For now, the non-government regulated gaming market in Colorado does an excellent job of governing itself. We’ll save the argument for or against more regulation in the market for another day.
FAQ’s About Online Casinos in Colorado
Yes! Your money, bets, and personal information are safe as long as you’re betting with safe and reputable Colorado online casino sites.
Can You Gamble Online In Colorado
Additionally, we have a few security recommendations you can take to keep yourself much safer when gambling online in Colorado:
Can I Bet Online In Colorado
– Use a strong password and never share it with anyone.
– Never store your password online.
– Don’t log into your gaming account from a shared computer or device.
– Keep your antivirus and system updated.
– Only bet with reputable and trusted CO online casinos.
When you gamble online in Colorado, you have plenty of different options to choose from. You can play slots, table games, keno, bingo, scratch-offs, sports bet, and bet on dog/horse races. There are no limits to the real money betting action you can get at Colorado online casinos.
Yes! Online casinos in Colorado offer real money action on all casino games, slots, and table games. Unlike the brick and mortar casinos where the maximum bet is $100, you can play for as high or low of stakes as you would like. The minimums are lower, and the maximums are higher when you bet online.
Can I Bet Online In Colorado Springs
Yes. CO online casinos give you the option of playing games for free play before you deposit and play for real money. This option is a great opportunity to test drive the games, learn the rules, practice a new strategy, hone your skills, or get acclimated to the gaming system. The play money tables use the same software and random number generators as the real money tables.
Yes, all of the games offered online are the same as the games offered in person. If you’re looking to get the same in-person action you’re used to online, you are good to go.