Gambling Overview in Colorado
The online casino gambling Colorado options available right now might be limited, but there are other activities besides college sports or charitable games. Here is a full overview of what’s allowed and what’s not: land-based play, lotteries, sweepstakes, and the legal gambling age, if applicable.
| Gambling Type | Legal | Gambling Age | Who Regulates |
|---|
| Online Casinos | No | - | - |
| Social Casinos | Yes | 18+ | - |
| Sweepstakes Casinos | Yes | 18+ | Colorado Division of Gaming |
| Bingo | Yes | 18+ | Secretary of State |
| Lottery | Yes | 18+ | Colorado Lottery Commission |
| Online Poker | No | - | - |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 21+ | Colorado Division of Gaming |
| Fantasy Sports | Yes | 18+ | Colorado Division of Gaming |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 18+ | Colorado Racing Commission |
| Land-based casinos | Yes | 21+ | Colorado Division of Gaming |
Best Colorado Sweepstakes Casinos to Play
If you’re looking for online casino alternatives, social or sweepstakes casinos are a safe place to play. Here are my top sweepstakes casinos in Colorado.
If you want a sweepstakes casino that mirrors real money play without financial risk, Fortune Coins is one of the best Colorado online casino sites to try. You’ll have access to over 1,900 video slots, pinko, and instant-win games from top providers like BGaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Evoplay, and a ton of others.
The best part is you won’t risk a cent of your own money, and the no-deposit bonus for signing up starts you with 630,000 GC for verifying your phone number and connecting your social accounts. On top of this, you’ll get bonuses every day just by logging in: up to 300,000 GC if you log in seven days in a row.
If you want to keep playing, you can purchase Fortune Coins with payment methods like Skrill and credit cards. Though it’s not a licensed real-money casino, the platform offers a similar experience to Colorado online gambling sites.
Pros
- 1,900 + games to play from top iGaming developers.
- Lots of ways to earn bonus GCs every day.
- Can play games without making a deposit.
- Accept a variety of payment options, including Skrill and credit cards.
Chanced is a sweepstakes casino that feels more like a true Colorado casino online. The platform has both GC and SC for social and cash-prize play. You can redeem your Sweeps Coins for cash prizes once you hit 100 of them, with 1 SC equivalent to $1.
On top of that, new players start with 25,000 Gold Coins loaded into their accounts, no verification hoops to jump through. The platform also has a Mega Boost deal as their welcome bonus, giving you a 400% match on your first Gold or Sweeps Coin purchase.
What I like most about Chanced is the sheer number of games. There are around 2,000 total games, including more than 1,500 online slots and close to 50 live dealer tables, which are powered by popular game developers like Evolution and Iconic 21. So, if I’m ever bored of spinning reels, I can hop into a live table and interact with the dealer and other players through the chatroom. So far, this is the best site for Colorado gamblers, as far as gambling winnings are concerned.
Pros
- 2,000+ titles, including first-person tables.
- 400% match on the first purchase of coins.
- Exchange Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
- Weekly raffles, tournaments, and races for more chances to win SC.
Cons
- No SC welcome bonus.
- High 100 SC minimum to redeem for prizes.
McLuck is one of the most polished sweeps casinos available to Colorado players. With its dedicated mobile app, you can dive into games on the go without having to deal with a browser workaround. The app runs smoothly on both my mobile phone and tablet. Besides this, McLuck has a solid welcome bonus. As a new player, you’ll start with 7,500 Gold Coins and a 150% matching bonus up to 50,000 GC if you choose to buy more. The platform also gives any user free daily log-in rewards, so you’ll always have a chance to play for free.
Though the platform has 1,000 games, which is fewer than the competition, that still leaves you with a lot of options. The catalog has everything from arcade hits, progressive slots, and live casino game shows, along the standard roulette and blackjack. Every game you play contributes to an ongoing Gold Coin Jackpot from the casino, which can drop at any moment at random, for any active player. There’s also an Unlimited Play Slots offer that starts at just one or two GCs per spin, making McLuck one of the most affordable and entertaining online gambling sites Colorado players can join.
Pros
- VIP program with extra coin rewards.
- Can filter by providers, promotions, and slot volatility.
- Provide daily free coins.
- Has its own dedicated app.
Cons
- Have to be 21+ (not 18 like the other social casinos).
Sweepstakes operate in a legal grey area by functioning under the state’s definition of “gambling” or, more precisely, by not meeting that definition. According to the state legislature, gambling in Colorado is defined as “risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain …upon lot…”. This definition covers the three elements of gambling under Colorado law:
- Consideration (risking something of value),
- Chance (outcome dependent on lot or chance),
- And prize (potential gain).
If a game lacks one of the three elements, it doesn’t count as gambling. Sweepstakes casinos get around that because you don’t use cash to make bets. You also won’t be spending real money on casino games, but either Gold Coins (GC) with no cash value, or Sweeps Coins (SC), which you can exchange for prizes.
How Does Colorado Regulate Gambling?
Colorado regulates gambling through its state laws and the oversight of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. This commission is responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing various forms of gambling within the state. The Gaming Commission enforces regulations that promote player protection and responsible gaming. Licensed operators must implement measures to prevent underage gambling, offer tools for players to set limits on deposits and playtime, and provide resources for those who may develop gambling-related problems.
Gambling Types Overview in Colorado
Daily Fantasy Sports
Colorado’s daily fantasy sports (DFS) scene has flourished, offering an interactive way to engage with their favorite games. DFS platforms allow players to assemble virtual teams of real athletes and compete based on their real-world performance. With its legal framework supporting DFS, Colorado residents can experience the thrill of strategizing and competing in various sports online.
Sports Betting
In 2020, Colorado legalized online betting, allowing licensed operators to offer online platforms for sports wagering. Through regulated online platforms and licensed sportsbooks, Colorado residents can wager on plenty of sports, ranging from professional leagues to college matchups. With a user-friendly interface and diverse betting options, you can immerse yourself in the excitement of sports bets while adhering to the state’s legal framework.
Horse Betting
Colorado’s online horse betting platforms offer a convenient way for enthusiasts to wager on horse racing events from around the world. With user-friendly interfaces and secure transactions, residents can engage in legal and regulated online horse betting. Whether it’s live betting or off-track betting, Colorado’s online horse betting options provide an immersive experience for those who enjoy the thrill of the track.
Lottery
The Colorado Lottery provides residents with the chance to win prizes through various games, including scratch-offs and draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions. With proceeds benefiting public projects and education, the state lottery offers both entertainment and community support. Participants can purchase tickets at authorized retailers across the state, contributing to the state’s funding while potentially winning exciting prizes.
Online Casino Games Available in Colorado
Even though real money online casinos aren’t legal in Colorado yet, you still have a lot of options. Social and sweepstakes casinos offer a huge range of online casino games, which give you the same variety you’d find in a traditional casino.
- Slots are usually the largest category of games in online casinos. Based on slot machines from brick and mortar casinos, they range from arcade slots, themed video titles, and progressive jackpots that build over time.
- There’s also a mix of instant-win and lottery games, like keno and digital scratch cards. These games are a quick and easy way to win prizes, and they often come with daily or hourly jackpots.
- If you prefer a mix of strategy and luck, there are plenty of table games to keep things interesting. You can play versions of blackjack games, roulette, and baccarat, often with realistic animations.
- Colorado poker players also have options through online poker rooms on sweepstakes sites.
- Live dealer games stream professional hosts in real time. They recreate the energy of a physical casino. Not all Colorado online casinos offer this luxury, but some do.
- Daily fantasy sports games allow Colorado residents to build lineups of real athletes (just like your favorite players from the Colorado Rockies) to compete for prizes based on their game performance.
- Colorado online sports betting is also an option since 2020. You can place sports wagers on professional and college football alike, through online operators like Caesars Sportsbook.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Colorado?
At the moment, online gambling in Colorado is not legal. Specifically, gambling is defined as “payment, luck, and receipt of prizes”. In the state, internet gambling is illegal because “the transmission or reception of gambling information” is prohibited. The Colorado Department of Revenue also adds that the federal government “prohibits online gamblers from using credit cards, checks, or electronic fund transfers to play and settle bets” through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
Colorado’s Gambling Laws
Compared to other states, with their patchwork of permissions, restrictions, and regulations, Colorado’s policies are straightforward and carefully written so anyone can understand them. Colorado online gambling laws are pretty middle-of-the-pack in the US — not overly restrictive, yet not ahead of the curve like others. Compared to other states, Colorado’s approach to commercial casinos sits right in the middle, somewhere between overly conservative and progressive. Ohio, for example, only has four land-based casinos, all written directly into its constitution — a much narrower system than Colorado’s. You can participate in legal online sports gambling, too. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is dominated by tribal-run casinos and still prohibits sports betting entirely.
When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Colorado?
When online sports betting was legalized in Colorado, it sparked hope in the iGaming industry. The voters approved the proposition, and the state rolled out licensed online sportsbook operators. Many thought this would make online gambling legal in Colorado. Yet despite this, there really hasn’t been any political push to expand this into online casinos, and the legal hurdles are pretty substantial. Back in 2013, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office wrote a formal legal opinion addressing whether gambling online could be permitted. He concluded that the state’s constitution doesn’t allow internet wagers, and expanding the definition of “limited gaming” would require a new constitutional amendment, not simply a legislative change.
That would mean a long process, starting with getting two-thirds approval by each house of the legislature, then a measure would be added to a ballot, and it would have to get a majority of the votes in a statewide election. If voters pass it, the state’s constitution is amended. Until that path is triggered, the best online gambling Colorado residents have is sportsbooks, fantasy sports, and sweepstakes sites.
You can also access offshore online casinos from Colorado, but doing so comes with risk and little protection. Because the state doesn’t regulate gambling outside of its borders, you won’t have consumer protections if you have a dispute over payment, game fairness, or account issues. You’ll essentially be on your own.
Jeremy Olson, Technical Content Lead
Colorado Land-Based Casinos
Colorado boasts a selection of land-based casinos that offer a range of gaming experiences. In-person casino games can be experienced in different locations across the state: about 40 casinos are available to eager players. The three casino towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek offer players a wide range of establishments and a unique atmosphere. Cripple Creek is a small town located just an hour away from Colorado Springs that allows you to rest from the loud city life while having fun at one of its nine casinos.
The most popular locations in Black Hawk are the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa and the Lodge Casino, which provide players with classic casino games like roulette, craps, blackjack, and slot machines, plus delicious dining options and other offerings. Downtown Central City is a must-visit if you come to Black Hawk, too: the towns are only a mile away from each other, and both are easy to reach from Downtown Denver.
Moreover, the Four Corners Region boasts a range of licensed tribal casinos, where players can enjoy slots, table games, and rich entertainment. Sky Ute Casino Resort is one of the most popular Indian casinos, located in the Southwestern part of the state, which also gives you an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Southern Ute tribe.
Responsible Gambling
It’s easy to get caught up chasing wins, especially if Colorado gambling online is accessible through sweepstakes and sports betting. If you ever feel like placing bets is more stressful than fun, reach out for help before it becomes a gambling problem. The first step you can take is calling 1-800-GAMBLER. You’ll connect with free, confidential support. The people you’ll speak to understand what you’re going through. They’ll help you set wagering limits or even stop altogether. Remember, even when playing in the best online casino Colorado has to offer, you should always keep emotions under control. That’s the must-have policy for any casino floor, real or virtual.
References
- Sweetman, R. (2024, February 8). A brief timeline of Colorado gaming law. Colorado LegiSource
- National Research Council (US) Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of Pathological Gambling. Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. C, Legal-Age Gambling Opportunities and Restrictions
- Legislative Council Staff. (2018, March 6). Gaming and Internet sweepstakes (18-03). Colorado General Assembly
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 6-1-803. (2024). Prohibited practices and required disclosures
- Colorado Secretary of State. (n.d.). Rules concerning bingo and raffle games (8 CCR 1505-2). Colorado Code of Regulations
- Colorado General Assembly. (2019). H.B. 19-1327: Authorize and tax sports betting; refer under Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
- Colorado Secretary of State. (2018). Redline amendment to rule 8 CCR 1505-2: Bingo and raffle games (AGO Request Redline 2018-00556)
- Colorado General Assembly. (2016). H.B. 16-1404: Regulate fantasy contests (Fantasy Contests Act)
- Colorado Division of Gaming. (2024, January 30). Rules of fantasy contest operator licensing and registration (1 CCR 207-3). Colorado Department of Revenue
- Ohio Constitutional Convention. (2010, May 4). Ohio Constitution, Article XV, Section 6: Lotteries, charitable bingo, casino gaming
- Colorado Division of Gaming. (2014, May). What is legal? Gambling questions in Colorado. Colorado Department of Revenue.
