Colorado Online Casinos and Gambling Laws
Colorado has joined the growing list of US states that have made online sports betting legal. But, the legality of online casinos is under debate.
After thoroughly researching their reliability, security, and other vital factors, we’ve picked some reliable top online casinos and sportsbooks.
This guide will help you navigate the online gambling world with confidence. You’ll learn about the legal status of each type of gambling in the state and where to play safely online.
Highlights
Want to gamble in Colorado? The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in the state. From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18 – 21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Grey Area
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Start Playing at Colorado Online Casinos
Is Online Gambling Legal in Colorado?
Key Takeaways
- Colorado online sports betting is legal.
- Legit real money online casinos serve this state.
- CO authorities have never prosecuted anybody for gambling online.
Online gambling is particularly attractive here because land-based casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks are only available in three towns and two tribal reservations.
Some gamblers do not want to drive to Black Hawk, Central City, Cripple Creek, Ignacio, or Towaoc for every session.
But is online gambling legal? The Centennial State legalized and regulated online sports betting in 2019. You can play on regulated betting apps when you are within state lines. These sports betting apps use geolocation software to determine your location before permitting bets.
Poker sites and online casinos, on the other hand, are unregulated. Nevertheless, hundreds of offshore gambling sites serve this state, and many local gamblers use them.
The Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) do not specifically mention online gambling as being illegal.
Nobody has faced prosecution in 30+ years of offshore gambling and authorities have not even tried busting offshore casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites.
This state has been hands-off with online gambling, instead focusing on potential illegal operators based within its jurisdiction.
Best Colorado Online Casinos in 2024
Regulated gaming sites may not be available, but many trustworthy offshore casinos serve the Centennial State. We have reviewed lots of these sites to determine the top Colorado online casinos.
The following picks are licensed within external jurisdictions.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
Our Recommended Online Casinos Reviewed
These three sites are our choices for the best Colorado online casinos. They excel from an all-around perspective but are especially great in specific areas.
You can see where these gambling sites stand out the most below.
Red Dog – Best Casino for Slots
Red Dog is the top Colorado online casino for slots for two reasons: game selection and new titles.
This site offers almost 600 online slots from DiceLab, Betsoft, and Saucify. It has hit titles such as Good Girl Bad Girl, Pho Sho, and Blazin’ Buffalo.
Regarding new games, you can select the Latest option in Red Dog’s lobby to see the hottest games. This casino provides access to game demos and live chat without an account.
Therefore, you can try games and contact support before registering. If you sign up and play for real money, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, Flexepin, and Neosurf are available for deposits.
Top Features
- Wide range of slots with consistent new releases.
- Games & live chat are available without an account.
- Good variety of banking options.
DuckyLuck – Best Site for Table Games and Live Dealer
DuckyLuck Casino scores big points for its overall game library, which includes nearly 600 titles.
By comparison, most online casinos in Colorado offer 200-300 games.
DuckyLuck spreads its games across several categories: live dealer, slots, specialty, table, video poker, and jackpot. Speaking of the latter, you will find this casino’s progressive jackpot slots in one convenient location.
You can select “Jackpot” to see the top prizes for games like A Night with Cleo and Battle of Rome. In addition, DuckyLuck offers many promotions to pad your bankroll while playing these games.
We count 10 promos available at the time of writing.
Top Features
- One of the largest game selections in Colorado at 600+
- Jackpot games in one convenient section.
- A large number of promotions.
Bovada – Top Site for Sports Betting
We highly recommend Bovada for sports betting. Aside from offering betting options for a wide range of sports, they have a robust gaming catalog of slots, table games, and live dealers.
So, if you are a fan of both sports betting and casino gaming, this site has it all in one place.
It’s also one of the most reliable sites out there. They have operated for +20 years and have a well-earned reputation for some of the fastest payouts in the industry.
Even amid the numerous gaming options available in Colorado, we can tell that you will find this site worth trying.
Top Features
- Betting variety, covering everything from mainstream sports to niche markets, such as esports
- Easy-to-navigate website optimized for mobile
- Casino section with +250 games
How We Choose Online Casinos
We consider several key points when searching for the best CO online casinos. Here is a deeper explanation of our main focuses when reviewing gaming sites.
Reputation
A quality online casino has good customer support, fair gaming, few complaints, and a history of success.Fast & Reliable Payments
The best-case scenario for casino withdrawal processing is under 24 hours, but 24-48 hours is still acceptable.Security & Safety
A secure website (SSL encryption) is necessary for any acceptable gaming site.Games Variety
Mobile casinos should provide at least +200 games to keep you properly entertained.Quality Bonuses
Huge bonuses are great, but they also need fair terms and conditions, like low wagering requirements.
Top Real Money Online Casino Games in Colorado
You can see which game types are the most popular in the Centennial State below.
Online Slots
Most CO online casinos go heavy on real money online slots, with some offering several hundred titles.
This wide variety ensures many themes, features, and styles of graphics.
You can also pay for big jackpots through these slot games, including over $1 million via Aztec’s Millions.
Over 14,000 slot machines are available at CO land-based casinos. You will have many options available on a casino trip to Black Hawk, Central City, or Cripple Creek.
However, you may find such trips inconvenient if you do not live near those places.
Online slots are a good substitute for spinning the reels when you do not want to travel.
Online Poker
Poker sites offer an opportunity to play cash games and tournaments in this state 24/7.
The latter is critical because most Colorado poker rooms are open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Online casinos provide an opportunity to play late-night sessions.
Colorado online poker rooms typically feature cash stakes from $0.02 to $10 and 5% rake. The state’s live poker venues usually offer games ranging from $1 to $20 and 10% rake up to $5.
Online tourneys are much bigger than live tourneys in the Centennial State. Some online poker tournaments in Colorado can boast $100,000 or $200,000 guaranteed prize pools.
Live rooms often run a limited tourney schedule that includes small weekly events.
Online Blackjack
Gaming sites provide a cheap way to enjoy blackjack in this state. Real money blackjack starts at $1 per hand and maxes out at $500.
The common rules are player-friendly, including 3:2 natural blackjack payouts, dealers standing on a soft 17, and doubling down after splitting.
Colorado land-based casinos offer the same favorable rules, making their blackjack games more attractive than some states.
However, the stakes begin at $10 or $15 per hand.
Live Dealer Games
Nothing beats the experience of playing table games at brick-and-mortar establishments.
However, CO casinos are centralized in three main areas: Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk.
Live dealer casinos are great alternatives if you do not live near one of these areas.
They let you enjoy land-based baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and more. The stakes are cheaper than most brick-and-mortar tables at $1-$5 a hand.
Other Games Available
Looking for more gaming options? Check out more table and specialty games below.
Colorado Online Casino Bonuses
Here are some examples of the bonus categories you’ll find at our recommended online casinos.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Casino Bonuses at CO Sites
We have reviewed dozens of online casino bonuses in the Centennial State. These head the top our list of the best Colorado casino bonuses, and you can see why below.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins Bonus
The DuckyLuck Casino bonus provides a 500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins.
It breaks down into three deposit bonuses worth 500% up to $2,500 each—with the first bonus including 150 free spins.
You must deposit at least $25 for each segment of this welcome offer. Playthrough is extremely friendly at 30x the deposit plus bonus. All games except craps, live dealer, and progressives contribute towards wagering requirements.
Up to $8,000 Welcome Bonus
Red Dog Casino offers a $8,000 Welcome Package—one of the industry’s largest welcome promos.
The wagering requirements (a.k.a. playthrough) are reasonable at 40x the deposit amount plus bonus.
You can cash out winnings from this offer after meeting the playthrough. The minimum deposit is $30 for credit card, $20 for crypto, and $10 for Neosurf. Use the code PATIO during the deposit process to qualify.
Are There Any Casino Apps Available in Colorado?
The Centennial State has not regulated online gaming. Therefore, no Colorado casino apps exist because the App Store and Google Play Store do not host unregulated casino apps.
However, you can still use mobile casinos through an Android or iOS device.
You get started by visiting a CO online casino through your web browser.
Our top list will help you find the best Colorado online casinos. Next, you can sign up, deposit (optional), and play games via your browser.
We have played casino games on regulated apps in other states, and we do not notice a performance difference between these and in-browser play.
Facts About CO Online Casinos
The Colorado online gaming market is confusing due to its unregulated nature. Here are some facts to help clear up this subject.
- Online sports betting is legal and regulated.
- You can use regulated betting apps anywhere within state borders.
- Colorado online casinos and poker sites are available.
- State statutes do not define online gaming as unlawful, but the CO Department of Revenue claims “internet gambling is illegal.”
- Despite the CDOR statement, no online player or offshore gambling site has faced prosecution in this state.
- Offshore casinos and poker sites have been serving Coloradans since the mid-1990s.
- You can deposit at CO online casinos using credit cards and cryptocurrencies.
Gambling Laws Summary
This state offers many legal forms of land-based gambling and regulated online sports betting. The following table explains the laws surrounding Colorado legal gambling, grey areas, and tax requirements.
| Colorado Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos in Colorado | Voters approved brick-and-mortar casinos through Amendment 4 in 1990, making Colorado one of the earliest states to legalize gaming. The Centennial State now has one of the largest gaming markets, with 32 commercial and two tribal casinos. |
| Online Gambling | Colorado has not regulated online casinos and poker rooms, but it takes a hands-off approach to offshore gambling. Therefore, many poker sites and online casinos accept CO players. |
| Sports Betting | The General Assembly and Gov. Jared Polis approved HB 19-1327 for legal sports betting in May 2019. Voters made it official with a yes vote on the Nov. ballot. HB 19-1327 permits land-based and online sports betting. All 32 Colorado casinos (commercial & tribal) can offer online and brick-and-mortar sports gambling. |
| State Lottery | Voters approved lottery games through Amendment 2 in 1982. The Colorado Lottery launched in 1983 and began selling scratch-off tickets. It has since added several drawing games like Cash 5 and Colorado Lotto+. |
| Charitable Gambling | Colorado was one of the earliest states to legalize charity gambling, doing so in 1958. Qualified charities that have existed in this state for +5 years can run bingo games and raffles. The CO Secretary of State’s website provides more info on charity gambling. |
| Poker | CO brick-and-mortar casinos can offer poker rooms. This state has five poker venues, with Ameristar (11 tables) and Monarch (14 tables) having the largest rooms. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | Pari-mutuel betting became legal in this state through a 1948 vote, with horse and dog racing commencing afterward. Arapahoe Park is the only active Colorado horse track today. The state banned live dog racing in 2014 and simulcast dog racing bets in 2023. |
| Fantasy Sports | The Centennial State legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) through HB 20-1286 in 2016. Operators can legally offer DFS in Colorado after registering with the CDOR. |
| Social Gambling | Colorado allows social gambling so long as nobody banks the action or profits in other ways, like selling liquor and food. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | This state treats gambling winnings as income, which carries a flat 4.63% tax rate. Of course, you must also pay the 24% federal tax rate on gambling wins. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Colorado Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
The Centennial State has legalized every major form of land-based gambling, ranging from casinos to horse racing. It also offers regulated online sports betting and DFS for mobile gamblers.
You can read more on each type of gambling in Colorado and their legalities below.
Land-Based Casinos
Lawmakers pitched casino gaming as a way to revive the historic mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Thus, the idea was born to confine commercial casinos to these historic towns through the Colorado Limited Gaming Act.
The Limited Gaming Act lived up to its name because casinos could not stay open 24/7 or accept bets over $5. The industry received a boost in 2009 through Amendment 50, which enabled gaming venues to run 24/7 and boosted max bets to $100.
The passage of Amendment 77 in 2021 essentially let casinos decide their betting limits with no cap.
These amendments have allowed Colorado gaming to keep thriving and support 34 casinos. Here is a look at the distribution of casinos throughout the state:
- Black Hawk – 16
- Cripple Creek – 9
- Central City – 7
- Ignacio – 1 (tribal)
- Towaoc – 1 (tribal)
Online Gambling
Online gambling falls into a grey Area. Colorado Statues do not consider internet gambling as illegal.
CRS 18-10-102(2) broadly defines gambling as “risking any money, credit, deposit, or anything of value for gain […].”
On the contrary, the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR), which regulates most gambling within the state, states that “Internet gambling is illegal under state and federal laws.” However, no one has ever faced prosecution.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Colorado legalized pari-mutuel betting in 1948, and Centennial Race Track opened in Littleton in 1950.
The “Santa Anita of the Rockies” struggled through three decades of running horse races before closing in 1983.
Pikes Peak Meadows launched in 1965 and did not experience much success either. The Colorado Springs horse track was converted to a motor speedway in 1993.
Arapahoe Park launched in 1993 and is the only track left in the state. This establishment runs thoroughbred and quarter-horse races from May to August. Colorado also had multiple dog tracks, including the Rocky Mountain Kennel Club, Pueblo Kennel Club, and Mile High Kennel Club.
Mile High was the last Colorado dog track, shuttering in 2008. The state completely ended greyhound racing with a 2014 ban on live racing and a 2023 ban on simulcast dog bets.
Bingo, Lottery
and Charitable Gambling
Qualified charities can use bingo and raffles for fundraisers. The Centennial State requires charity organizations to exist for five or more years before qualifying for bingo and raffles.
Voters shot down 2022 legislation (Amendment F), which would have decreased this requirement from five to three years.
As for lotteries, the Colorado Lottery has been operating since 1983. It initially only offered scratch cards but has expanded to include in-state and multi-jurisdictional drawing tickets.
Its games include Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Colorado Lotto+, Cash 5, Pick 3, and scratch cards.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gambling is legal in Colorado, provided nobody profits from collecting rake or sales (e.g., alcohol). CRS 18-10-102 makes an exception for home games that include a “social relationship” whereby nobody is participating in “professional gambling.”
This state defines professional gambling as “participating in gambling and having, other than by virtue of skill or luck […] a greater chance of winning [versus other players].” In short, gambling with friends for fun is legal so long as nobody acts as the house.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Five legal poker rooms are available throughout the Centennial State, with four located in Black Hawk. Here’s the breakdown:
- Ameristar: 11 tables, available 24/7.
- Monarch: 14 tables, open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Horseshoe: 9 tables, open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Bally’s Casino: 17 tables, open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The fifth poker room is Midnight Rose in Cripple Creek, offering nine tables with a variety of games, including Texas Hold ’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and seven-card stud.
In comparison, most poker rooms in Colorado primarily offer Hold ’em and Omaha.
Sports
Betting
Retail and online sports betting became legal in Colorado through a November 2019 vote.
Land-based and online sportsbooks were launched half a year later, in May 2020. This state has attracted many operators, with 20 betting apps and 12 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks running.
Bettors can wager on everything except college prop bets and esports. Lawmakers excluded esports betting because some pros are under 18 years old.
Land-Based Gambling Venues in Colorado
You can drive to Cripple Creek or the Central City/Black Hawk area and find clusters of casinos. However, you may wonder which gaming venues are in which cities.
The following map shows the locations of all Colorado casinos.
Top Casinos
- Ameristar Casino Resort
- Horseshoe Black Hawk Casino
- Lodge Casino at Black Hawk
Summary
- Total Casinos: 34
- Total Race Tracks: 1
- Total Poker Rooms: 5
Colorado Gambling vs. Neighboring States
The Centennial State has diverse neighbors, ranging from the casino-happy Oklahoma to ultra-conservative Utah. The following table compares Colorado and bordering states in several key gambling categories.
| State | Is some form of Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Arizona | Yes | 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Kansas | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Nebraska | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| New Mexico | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 18 – 21 | Legal | Grey Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Utah | No | N/A | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal |
| Wyoming | Yes | 18 | Legal | Grey Area | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Colorado is on par with most of its neighbors regarding legal forms of gambling. Utah is the obvious exception because the Mormon State prohibits all bets. Oklahoma is also notable because it has yet to legalize sports betting.
Speaking of which, Oklahoma ranks second behind only Nevada with 134 casinos. Colorado is a distant second among this group, with 34 casinos.
All listed states treat online casinos as a grey area except for Utah.
A Brief History of Colorado Gambling
The state has a fascinating gambling history that involves legends like Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson. Let’s discuss how Colorado gambling has progressed from Wild West saloons to online sportsbooks.
| Year | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mid-to-late 1800s | Leadville becomes a Wild West gambling haven for legends like Holliday and Masterson during a silver boom. |
| 1948 | Voters approve pari-mutuel betting, making it the first legal form of gambling in Colorado. |
| 1950 | Centennial Race Track opens and offers horse races and pari-mutuel wagering. |
| 1958 | Voters amend the constitution to allow charity gambling—specifically bingo. |
| 1982 | The state votes yes on lottery games; the Colorado Lottery launches the following year with scratch-offs. |
| 1990 | Voters approve the Colorado Limited Gaming Act, which permits casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. The “limited” aspect means $5 max bets and select hours of operation. |
| 1992 | Arapahoe Park begins offering horse racing; it is the only active race track in Colorado today. |
| 1995 | The Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Sky Ute Casino Resort) and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Ute Mountain Casino Hotel) negotiate gaming compacts with the state. |
| 2008 | Amendment 50 passes and enables Colorado casinos to stay open 24/7 and raise betting limits to $100. The Mile High Kennel Club ceases operations, thus ending the state’s live dog racing scene. |
| 2014 | Gov. John Hickenlooper signs legislation to ban greyhound racing in the state. |
| 2019 | Voters pass Proposition DD and usher in legal retail and online sportsbooks. |
| 2021 | Amendment 77 passes and ends state-imposed casino betting limits; casinos can now decide their max wagers. |
| 2023 | Gov. Jared Polis signs HB23-1041, banning in-state simulcast betting on dog races. |
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The CO Department of Revenue leads responsible gambling efforts in this state.
It requires casino and sportsbook operators to offer a self-exclusion option. Self-exclusion refers to voluntarily banning yourself from gambling establishments either temporarily or permanently.
The CDOR also provides various resources to help anybody with a gambling problem. Examples include the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado and Kindbridge Behavioral Health.
Play Safely, Stay Informed, and Have Fun!
Colorado has gone from unregulated gambling in Wild West mining towns to one of the biggest gambling states.
It has one of the country’s largest gaming industries, with 32 casinos available in Cripple Creek, Central City, Black Hawk, and two more in tribal reservations. It also has 12 land-based sportsbooks and 20 sports betting apps.
The Centennial State added legal online betting to its gambling offerings in 2020. However, it does not appear close to regulating online casinos and poker sites. These remain the only major forms of unregulated CO gambling.
We would not be surprised if this state-regulated Colorado online casinos and poker rooms in the next 5-10 years. However, we do not see this situation unfolding in the next 1-5 years.
Until then, offshore casinos and poker sites will remain safe gambling options in the state.
FAQ
The following FAQs provide further clarity on the Colorado gambling market. You will find questions and answers on CO casinos, problem gambling, no-deposit bonuses, and more.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in Colorado?
Tribal casinos do not have to be in the towns of Central City, Cripple Creek, and Black Hawk like commercial casinos. The Sky Ute Casino Resort is in Ignacio, CO, in the southwestern part of the state. Ute Mountain Casino Hotel lies 45 miles west of Sky Ute, closer to the Utah and Arizona borders.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Colorado?
The Colorado Department of Revenue: Special Business Group does not regulate offshore gambling sites like it does land-based casinos. Therefore, you have nobody to intervene during possible disputes with online casinos. We recommend choosing the best Colorado online casinos to avoid hassles with unsavory operators.
Who regulates online casinos in Colorado?
CO online casinos are licensed and regulated in offshore jurisdictions like Panama and Curaçao. They are not subject to regulation by the CO Department of Revenue: Special Business Group like Colorado land-based casinos and sportsbooks.
