Colorado Online Casinos and Gambling Sites in 2024

Land-Based Casinos in Colorado

The Centennial State legalized brick-and-mortar casinos before many states, doing so in 1991. However, the Colorado Limited Gaming Act of 1991 featured notable restrictions:

• Casinos could only accept up to $5 maximum bets and had limited hours of operation from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. It also confined casino gambling to Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City.
• The town restrictions remain, but the other limiting factors are gone. A 2008 amendment increased max casino bets to $100 and allowed venues to add craps and roulette games.
• In 2021, the state allowed casino operators to determine their max wagers, like Vegas and other major gambling hubs.

The missing restrictions have helped make Colorado one of the biggest casino states. It now offers 35 commercial gaming venues and two tribal casinos.

Ameristar Blackhawk is the state’s largest casino, with over 1,300 slot machines and 40 table games.

Horse & Dog Tracks

Colorado regulated its first form of gambling in horse racing in 1948.

It has a limited horse betting scene, with only Arapahoe Park running full-time. Other options include county fairs and 12 simulcast facilities.

Dog racing betting was available up until the last track closed in 2008. A 2014 ban on the sport officially ended dog racing wagering.

Online Sports Betting

Colorado legalized online sports betting through a voter referendum in 2019.

The measure passed by a slim margin of 45,000 votes (51.4% in favor). Despite voters’ mixed feelings, Colorado betting apps have been quite popular since launching. Players can also access sportsbooks online to make their bets instead of downloading an app.

Retail sportsbooks are also available at commercial casinos. Nearly 30 retail betting venues operate at casinos like Bronco Billy’s, Grand Z, and Isle Casino of Capri.

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

Legitimate charities can host raffles and bingo games. Unlike in many other states, they cannot hold casino nights.

The CO Secretary of State website offers helpful FAQs regarding how charities can legally run gambling functions.

Social Gaming at Home

The Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) on gambling define legal social gaming as follows:

“[…] game incidental to bona fide social relationship, participated in by natural persons in no way connected to professional gambling.”

Professional gambling does not refer to poker pros or other skilled gamblers. Instead, it alludes to those who profit from games of chance.

In short, you can enjoy home poker games with friends and acquaintances as long as nobody collects rake.

Poker Rooms and Clubs

Colorado poker rooms felt the sting of the previous limitations on betting. Until 2008, they could not allow players to put over $5 into the pot.

However, gambling amendments in 2008 and 2021 now allow high-stakes casino poker. These amendments have helped poker rooms like Ameristar (22 tables) and Bally’s Black Hawk West (17 tables) grow.

Online Slots

The average offshore online casino in Colorado provides anywhere from 100+ to 300+ real-money online slots.

Therefore, you can expect many options regarding Colorado online slot machines. Many of these games boast entertaining bonus rounds and features like expanding wilds and cascading reels.

The brick-and-mortar casinos here collectively feature over 13,000 slot machines, and you can only play slots in Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk.

Online Poker

Online poker became popular in Colorado during the 1990s and 2000s when land-based bets maxed out at $5. Although unregulated at a level state, poker sites remain popular thanks to convenience, frequent promotions, and big tournaments.

Online gambling sites also offer many forms of video poker, such as Jacks or Better, Poker Bonus, and many other exciting variations.

Of course, CO land-based poker rooms have become more attractive due to the bet cap dissolving. Poker clubs are available in various casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek.

Notable poker rooms include Ameristar, Bally’s Black Hawk West, Monarch (11 tables), and Midnight Rose (9 tables).

Blackjack

Online blackjack was the only way to play this game in Colorado until the 2008 casino amendment. It is still available through offshore online casinos with multiple variations.

Common online blackjack variants at gambling sites include classic, Face Up 21, Perfect Pairs, and Super 21.

Blackjack is a staple in Colorado’s brick-and-mortar casinos. You can play this game for anywhere from $5 to $25 per hand, while on gambling sites, bet ranges can go from $1 to $100.

Live Dealer Games

Land-based casinos are not easily accessible to some players because they are only available in three towns. The good news is that live dealer casino games let you enjoy the land-based gambling atmosphere without traveling.

Live games are part of certain online casinos like Bovada and DuckyLuck. They stream live casino games with real dealers from professional studios.

Typical live games include baccarat, blackjack, casino hold ’em, Early Payout Blackjack, and roulette.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Colorado?

Legal forms of online gambling in Colorado include sports betting and DFS (daily fantasy sports). Daily fantasy received approval through H1404 in 2016, while online sports betting became regulated through Proposition DD in 2019.

Online casinos and poker rooms remain unregulated in the state. However, offshore casino sites have served Coloradans without incident since the mid-1990s.

The Colorado Department of Revenue notes that “internet gambling is illegal under state laws.” But you should consider that local authorities have never taken action against offshore operators.

State laws seemingly apply to those running unregulated gambling sites within state borders.

We do not foresee any immediate scenario where offshore poker rooms and casinos would stop serving Colorado. Additionally, authorities have never arrested or prosecuted anybody for playing at unregulated sites.

Transmitting Gambling Information Is Illegal

CRS 18-10-106 notes that communicating gambling info through the telephone, radio, or other means is illegal.

This rule applies to would-be operators inside of Colorado. Offshore online casinos and poker sites operate outside the state and hold licensing in their respective jurisdictions.

Nobody Has Gotten in Trouble for Gambling Online

No Coloradan has faced legal trouble for playing at offshore gambling sites, and we do not expect this trend to change.

If somebody did get in trouble for gambling online, it would be a petty offense subject to the following punishments:

• Up to a $300 fine.
• Up to 10 days in jail.

Illegal Operators are Known as Professional Gamblers

Professional gambling means something different than card counters or pro sports bettors in Colorado.

It refers to entities that profit through illicit gambling operating within the state borders.

First-time penalties for this class 2 misdemeanor include:

• Up to a $750 fine.
• Up to 120 days in jail.

Value a Casino’s Reputation

The best online casinos in Colorado have a long history of serving players well and making fast payouts. Valid licenses, trusted game software developers, and a fair number of positive reviews are good signs of a trusted casino.

 Check for a Secure Website

You want to ensure that your money and personal info stay safe at gaming sites. Therefore, you should check a casino’s address bar (padlock) to ensure that it has website encryption.

Read Online Casino Reviews

You can quickly learn about a gaming site’s rep through reviews. We offer many casino reviews for Colorado players at Gamble Online.

Read the Terms of Use

Learn the wagering requirements and other terms of use when accepting a bonus. Knowing the terms assures your winnings won’t be voided for breaking the terms and conditions.

Check the Bonus Terms

A worthwhile online casino provides clear terms and conditions on bonuses. Consider game restrictions, minimum deposit, and rollover to avoid problems before claiming a promo.

Contact Customer Support

We recommend contacting support through live chat to judge their timeliness, helpfulness, and friendliness.