Gambling Laws in Colorado

Most forms of gambling are legal in Colorado. The state's laws are somewhat outdated regarding online gambling though, where currently only sports betting is fully permitted.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Colorado?

Gambling laws are laid out in the Colorado Limited Gaming Act of 1990, which was amended in 2009. The Act deems most forms of gambling legal in the state, although most online gambling remains unregulated.

Landbased and Online Casinos

Casino gambling in Colorado is legal, with the state home to 40 land-based casinos. Most of these are located within one of 3 towns: Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk. In addition, two tribal national casinos operate in the state's Four Corners region: Ute Casino Resort and Ute Mountain Casino Hotel. Casino gambling is restricted to low-stakes play though, with only a $100 maximum bet per game. There are also restrictions on the games that can be offered, with only slots, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and Craps permitted.

Online casino gambling isn't mentioned in Colorado's existing gambling laws. With the only reference being made to the "transmission or reception of gambling information by any means," which could include online gambling. This leaves many residents heading to out-of-state platforms with access to a range of USA online casinos.

Poker Games

Poker is legal in Colorado, with most of the state's casinos offering the game. Home-based games are also permitted by law.

In terms of playing poker online, the activity is not specifically deemed illegal, and there is no mention of the game in the current legislation.

Bingo Gambling

Playing bingo is legal for money, but games are only allowed by charitable organisations.

Just the same as other online gambling, bingo isn't mentioned in the current legislation. This leaves a slight grey area for residents who do play at offshore US online casinos, where residents in Colorado are accepted. No one to date has been prosecuted for doing so.

The State Lottery

The Colorado Lottery offers a variety of draw tickets, scratch cards and instant win games. Residents can buy local and national lottery game tickets via their nearest retailer.

Playing online lottery games for real money isn't a given, as the state doesn't currently legislate for selling tickets online. The state website serves only as a place to see how the games work and to check the latest draw results.

Playing at Home, Social Gaming and Crypto Casinos

Social games played within the privacy of your own home are generally not the concern of gambling regulators in Colorado.

Lootboxes are currently unregulated in the state, but there is a lot of ongoing debate across the US regarding these. Skins gambling is also unregulated in Colorado.

Colorado was the first US state to accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment when it comes to taxing residents. However, it remains to be seen if any of the state's casinos or other gambling venues will be permitted to do the same. At the moment plenty of residents play at crypto-gambling sites, whether these are based in the US or at an offshore location.

Colorado Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal and has been since it was put to a vote in 2019. Unfortunately, what should have been an exciting launch in the state was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most casinos shut and sporting events cancelled.

Today, residents of Colorado can bet on a range of sports via their nearest casino or the state's one remaining racetrack, Arapahoe Park in Aurora.

Online sports betting is legal in Colorado, with some 25 or so sportsbooks licensed to accept punters from the state. Betting on daily fantasy sports via sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel is legal, as such contests were deemed games of skill in 2016. It is illegal to bet on sports via unlicensed sportsbooks in Colorado.

What's the Legal Age for Gambling in Colorado?

For lottery games, this is 18 years or older. However, state residents must be at least 21 years old to enter a casino and gamble.

Tax Regulations on Gambling Winnings

Colorado gambling tax regulation lays out different rates for the various gambling operators in the state. Sports betting companies pay a 10% tax on their net proceeds. In comparison, casino operators (except tribal nations) pay tax on a progressive system based on gross revenue starting at 0.25% for the first $2 million, reaching 20% of gross proceeds over $13 million.

Residents of Colorado are subject to a 4.63% income tax rate on gambling winnings.

History of Gambling Laws in Colorado

There is a long history of gambling in Colorado which dates back to the Old West, where gambling in saloons was rampant.

Horse and greyhound racing betting was legalized in 1948, and the Colorado Racing Commission was founded in the same year.

Gambling for charitable purposes, such as bingo games, was legalised in the state in 1958.

The Colorado Lottery was formed in 1982, with lottery tickets going on sale in 1983.

The Colorado Limited Gaming Initiative legalised some forms of casino gambling in 1990. With regulations such as a maximum bet of $5 and limited opening hours coming into effect the following year. The Colorado Lottery was permitted to offer tickets for national games such as Mega Millions and Powerball in 2000.

In 2009, the maximum bet at casinos was raised to $100 and venues were permitted to offer Craps and Roulette.

Greyhound racing was banned in Colorado in 2014.

Land-based and online sports betting was legalised in the state in 2019 by a very narrow margin, with markets offered from 2020.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal in Colorado, with 40 commercial casinos and two tribal casinos currently running in the state.

• Online casino gambling is unregulated.

• Poker gambling is legal in both casinos and private residences.

• Online poker gambling is unregulated.

• Bingo gambling is legal for charitable purposes only.

• Online bingo gambling is unregulated.

• Lottery gambling is legal in Colorado, but tickets and scratch cards cannot be sold online.

• Both land-based and online sports betting is legal.