Colorado Online Casinos: Legal Gambling & Online Casinos in CO

Colorado Online Casinos: Latest Updates

Real-money online casinos aren't legal in Colorado, as is the case for the majority of states across the US. However, there are a few options similar to online casinos such as social and sweepstakes casinos in Colorado that allow gamblers to play legal online casino games for free. 

Are Online Casinos Legal in Colorado?

No, online casinos for real-money in Colorado are not yet legal. However, there have been recent talks to legalize online casino gaming, though those efforts haven't resulted in anything concrete just yet. 

While you wait for legal Colorado online casinos to go live, you can legally gamble online at free social and sweepstakes casino sites, which offer online slots and table games. You'll enjoy playing these online casino games while never losing real money, and you can even win cash prizes at sweepstakes casinos!

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Patrons must be 21 years of age or older in order to claim the following Offer and must be physically present in the state of Colorado to place a wager.

Colorado Gambling History

The Colorado Limited Gaming Initiative is the single-most important gambling bill in the state's history. It passed in November 1990, legalizing blackjack, poker and slot machines in the old gold-mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.

From there, the bill became a law in 1991. In 2009, gaming limits were increased to $100 per bet, and two new games – craps and roulette – were added.

Previous milestones included:

• Passage of the Colorado Gambling on Horse and Animal Races amendment in 1948. That legalized betting on horse and greyhound racing.
• Creation of the Colorado Lottery and the Lottery Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue in 1982 by the Colorado General Assembly.
• Approval of sports betting in 2019 via Proposition DD, known as the Legalize Sports Betting with Tax Revenue for Water Projects measure. Online sports betting launched in May 2020.

What Forms Of Gambling Are Legal in Colorado?

As of December 2024, the legal forms of gambling in Colorado include popular casino games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines. Colorado sports betting apps are legal, too, with sports betting launching in May 2020 both online and at numerous retail sportsbooks throughout the state.

In addition, CO allows gamblers to play the lottery and bet on animal racing, most notably horses. However, because Colorado casino apps are still not yet legal, bettors must gamble on those games in towns that do currently have physical casinos, such as Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.  There are more than 30 properties statewide, including casinos in Denver and casinos in Colorado Springs.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Colorado?

Online casino gaming for money is not yet legal, but Colorado sports betting promo codes are legal. Time will tell if that changes in the near future. Until then, casino gaming is limited to the legal casinos throughout the state, most notably Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.

• Online Casinos Real-money online casinos are not legal in Colorado as of December 2024.
• Daily Fantasy Sports Daily Fantasy Sports, also known as DFS, have been legal in the state since 2016. In fact, Colorado became the fifth state to legalize DFS, with DraftKings and FanDuel the two biggest operators.
• Sports Betting Sports betting was approved in 2019 with passage of Proposition DD, which is commonly known as the Legalize Sports Betting with Tax Revenue for Water Projects measure. This allowed casinos and other operators to apply for online and retails sports betting licenses. In 2020, online sports betting launched with retail sports betting following after the pandemic.
• Bingo Games Bingo games were legalized in 1958 with passage of the Colorado Gambling Legalization for Nonprofit Organizations. That was revised most recently in 2017.
• Poker Games Poker games were legalized in 1990 as part of the Colorado Limited Gaming Initiative. Poker was one of three casino games legalized at the time, along with blackjack and slot machines.
• Horse Race Betting Horse race betting was legalized in 1948 with approval of the Colorado Gambling on Horse and Animal Races amendment, allowing pari-mutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing. A year later, live horse and greyhound racing was introduced throughout the state.
• Lottery Games The Colorado Lottery was created in 1982, and ticket sales started a year later. However, only scratch-off lottery tickets could be sold initially. In 2000, the Colorado Multi-State Lotteries Referendum passed, allowing the state lottery to sell tickets for multi-state jackpot drawings, such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

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Colorado Online Casino Laws

There are no current online casino laws in the state of Colorado, meaning they are still illegal there. However, Colorado Department of Revenue Executive Director Mark Ferrandino reportedly said at the National Conference of State Legislatures recently that talks are underway to legalize online casino gaming. A Colorado online casino bill would obviously have to pass first.

Understanding Sweepstakes Casinos In Colorado

Sweepstakes and social casino sites in Colorado are currently the only way for players to legally play online games. Keep in mind, you can win real money and prizes without risking real money, but many of these sites are tied to retail businesses in hopes of getting your information for future marketing purposes.

When Will Colorado Online Casinos Be Legal?

There is currently no timetable for online casinos to be legalized in Colorado, but it is believed that could change soon with the introduction of an online casino gaming bill. However, if and when online casinos do become legal in the state, keep an eye out for an online casino site from BetMGM Colorado, as the operator is a leader in online casino in other states. 

Who Would Regulate Colorado Online Casinos?

The Colorado Department of Revenue's Gaming Division most likely would regulate Colorado online casinos.

Can I Visit Offshore Online Casinos in Colorado?

It is not recommended that you visit offshore online casinos that are not regulated. Always make sure to do your own research and due diligence before deciding to put down your money at an offshore online casino.

Retail Casinos In Colorado

Colorado has limited casino gaming, which means the state restricts the number of games and availability. In other words, there is no online casino available in Colorado as all games must be played in person at retail casinos. The good news is that you can gamble at Colorado casinos and have a number of options, with the ability to play your favorite games such as blackjack, craps, roulette and slots.

Some retail casinos in Colorado, Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk for example, have a rooftop pool. Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio has mini golf, offering fun for the whole family and not just gambling. So whether you are spending your time on the casino floor or elsewhere, you can have a good time in CO.

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What Is The Largest Casino In Colorado?

The state's largest and most well-known casino is Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in the suburban Denver town of Black Hawk. With nearly 60,000 square feet of the property's 100,000 square feet dedicated solely to gaming, Ameristar is located about 40 miles West of Denver and boasts 536 hotel rooms with 64 suites, many of which offer breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.

As one of the old gold-mining towns in Colorado, Black Hawk was one of the first to offer visitors a true gambling experience, with this casino officially opening in December 2001 under the Hyatt name. Penn Entertainment currently owns the gaming license there, and Ameristar could become the best Colorado online casino if and when online gambling is legalized in the state.

Until then, this particular Black Hawk casino site will be tough to top based on its sheer size and gambling offerings, which include a Barstool Sportsbook with a legal sports betting app. That app is expected to be rebranded as ESPN BET Colorado at a later date. 

Do Colorado Casinos Have Hotels?

There are several casinos in Colorado that also have hotels, and those properties are listed below. The advantage of having a hotel attached to a casino is obvious in that visitors can extend their stay and spend more money at the property.

If the odds are not in your favor in regard to gaming, you could relax at the pool or spa, enjoy a meal at one of the delicious dining options or simply get a good night's sleep in a comfortable hotel room. Lady Luck does not need to be with you for you to have an enjoyable experience at a casino hotel Colorado. Visit one of these casino hotels, and you could get lucky one way or another:

Colorado Casino Hotels

• Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk
• Brass Ass Casino, Cripple Creek
• Bronco Billy's Casino & Hotel, Cripple Creek
• Century Casino & Hotel, Central City
• Century Casino & Hotel, Cripple Creek
• Double Eagle Hotel & Casino, Cripple Creek
• Grand Z Casino & Hotel, Central City
• Horseshoe, Black Hawk
• Sky Ute Casino Resort, Ignacio
• The Lodge Casino, Black Hawk
• Ute Mountain Casino & Hotel, Towaoc
• Wildwood Hotel & Casino, Cripple Creek

What Casino Games Offered At Colorado Casinos?

As mentioned earlier, Colorado has limited casino gaming, meaning the state offers only a certain number of approved games to gamblers in specific towns. While you will not find every casino game in CO, you can play the most popular ones, especially when it comes to slot machines.

Keep in mind, the Colorado Limited Gaming Initiative first legalized blackjack, poker and slot machines in the mountain towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek in 1990. In 2009, wagering limits were increased to $100 per bet, and craps and roulette were added to the gaming offerings. 

Meanwhile, it wasn't until 2020 that sports betting launched in the state allowing for operators to hit the market with great deals like the one from Fanatics Sportsbook promo Colorado.

• Blackjack One of the original three gambling types in Colorado, blackjack is well-known for being fast-paced and easy to learn. Card players try to hit 21 or get as close to 21 as they can without busting against the dealer's draw.
• Craps One of the two added in 2009, this complex table game is one in which players must wager on the outcome of a pair of dice. This is definitely a game of chance – luck is needed when rolling the dice.
• Poker Another original casino game legalized in Colorado and maybe the most popular, poker has grown exponentially since 1990. However, it is worth noting that online poker for money is still not legal in CO.
• Roulette Spinning the wheel is one of the most fun ways to gamble at a casino, and winning at this table game definitely requires a little luck. No casino trip is complete without watching the ball spin around the wheel.
• Slot Machines This third original casino game in CO is widely considered the easiest of the three to learn and beat. While some slot machines are more complicated to play than others, the payback by law is between 80 and 100 percent, with many casinos in the state paying out 90-95 percent on average.

Do Any Casinos In Colorado Have Retail Sportsbooks?

Yes, there are 13 casinos in Colorado as of December 2024 that have retail sportsbooks, and 20 that are licensed online operators. This means you can find 13 physical sportsbooks in casinos across the state and 21 online sportsbooks available. There is some crossover here as well – some of those online sportsbook operators also have a retail location inside a casino.

Below is a comprehensive list of the 13 current retail sportsbooks in casinos where you physically can go to place a sports bet. These sportsbooks are listed along with their licensed sports betting operator and the status of whether or not the operator offers an app for legal online sports gambling.

Casinos With App Available

• Ameristar Casino Black Hawk (Barstool Sportsbook) - App Available
• Bally's Black Hawk North Casino (DraftKings) - App Available
• Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk (Caesars Sportsbook) - App Available
• Lady Luck Casino Black Hawk (Caesars Sportsbook) - App Available
• The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk (SuperBook) - App Available
• Wildwood Casino at Cripple Creek (ISI) - App Available
• Z Casino Black Hawk (Maverick) - No App Available

Casinos With No App Available

• Dragon Tiger Casino (Maverick) - No App Available
• Grand Z Casino (Maverick) - No App Available
• Monarch Casino Resort Spa (Monarch Casino Black Hawk) - No App Available
• Sasquatch Casino (Sasquatch Casino) - No App Available
• The Wild Card Saloon (Wild Card Saloon) - No App Available

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Popular Cities With Casinos in Colorado

Most of the state's casinos are concentrated within the three old gold mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Each town came to prominence during the gold rush, and they were among the first to host legalized gambling in Colorado.

While there are a few other smaller CO towns that also have casinos, the bigger cities of Denver and Colorado Springs do not. There is a misconception that Denver and Colorado Springs have legalized gambling, but instead it is in the nearby towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.

Casinos In Black Hawk

There are 18 casinos in Black Hawk, Colorado, the biggest and most popular being Ameristar, which has a 4.1 rating (out of 5.0) on Google Reviews from more than 12,000 users. This town is 34 miles west of Denver. Many of the casinos operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Casinos In Cripple Creek

There are 11 casinos in Cripple Creek, Colorado, the biggest being Wildwood Casino, also known as the highest casino in the world. Wildwood also has a 4.1 rating (out of 5.0) on Google Reviews from more than 3,400 users. Cripple Creek is 44 miles from Colorado Springs.

Casinos In Colorado Springs

There are currently no casinos located in Colorado Springs. The closest casinos are in Cripple Creek.

Casinos In Central City

Central City is 1 mile farther west than Black Hawk, located 35 miles west of Denver, and the town plays host to six casinos. The largest casino in Central City is the Central Casino & Hotel, with a 4.2 rating (out of 5.0) on Google Reviews from more than 2,800 users.

Casinos In Denver

Like Colorado Springs, there are no casinos located in Denver. The closest casinos are in Black Hawk and Central City.

Responsible Gambling

The state has a number of Problem Gambling Resources, including the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado, which offers a 24/7 confidential hotline at 1-800-522-4700. You can call or send a text to that number. Additional nationwide resources include Gamblers Anonymous and National Council on Problem Gambling.

Author

Matty Simo

@Vegas_Matty

Matty Simo is a Las Vegas-based writer who has resided there for more than 20 years and covered sports since the age of 16 in suburban Chicago.