Colorado

Online Gambling & Casinos in Colorado

Gambling in Colorado is not unlike gambling in neighboring states like Wyoming and Kansas. Still, it’s fair to say that Colorado is the complete opposite of ultra-conservative Utah. Players that enjoy Vegas-style games can visit one of 28 commercial casinos or 2 tribal casinos. The state has also authorized sports betting and fantasy sports contests in recent years.

Regulated pari-mutuel wagering has been around since 1948, while charitable gaming has been around since 1958. It’s hard to believe that even the state lottery has been around for close to 40 years. Clearly, Colorado has adopted a liberal attitude towards gambling from early on.

Although interactive gambling, including online casinos, has not been legalized so far, that has not stopped some Coloradoans from playing at online casinos. These have distinct advantages over land-based casinos that are hard to beat. Still, before rushing out to the first online casino that accepts players from Colorado, we recommend viewing our list of trustworthy online casinos chosen by our experts.

Casino	Deposit Bonus	Get Started
	250% up to $1000	Play Now
	600% up to $6000	Play Now
	350% up to $2500	Play Now

Best Bonuses in Colorado Casinos

Although Colorado has 30 primarily commercial casinos, the best bonuses in Colorado casinos are found online. Not all online casino bonuses are made equal, so we’ve put together a list of our top ones.

New player welcome bonuses typically consist of match deposit bonuses of up to several hundred dollars. Additionally, many offer new players a free spins bonus that can be good for hundreds of rounds of play.

Some of the casinos that we’ve listed also offer a no deposit bonus. To qualify, players in Colorado just need to register a new player account.

We believe that fair bonus T&Cs are essential, which is why we’ve gone through each casino’s bonus terms and conditions first. We look for fair playthrough wagering requirements, among other criteria.

Online casino bonuses don’t stop with new players. That’s because loyal players from Colorado can also opt-in to perks, including VIP programs, tournaments, and loyalty programs.

Why not study the accompanying review for each online casino listed to find the best bonuses in Colorado casinos that are right for you?

Best New Casinos in Colorado

Fortunately, Coloradoans have more options than just the 30 land-based casinos in the state. The best new casinos in Colorado online offer a competitive alternative to commercial and tribal casinos – and there are many more to choose from!

Below, we’ve presented a list of our trustworthy casino favorites. Every casino listed must offer a selection of slots, specialty games, video poker, and other table games from popular providers. Players can access games from their Windows/Mac desktops and tablet/smartphone Android & iOS devices.

Whether you want to play with US dollars or Bitcoins, deposits and withdrawals have never been easier or faster. These casinos accept USD deposits from payment methods such as credit cards and BTC deposits from your crypto-wallet.

Besides offering top bonuses, these casinos also offer other perks like loyalty programs, tournaments, and VIP programs.

Colorado Gambling Overview

Colorado is known as ‘The Centennial State.’ Its mountains were once rich in gold deposits, which fueled the state’s economy since 1858. Sadly, today, gold mines have dwindled.

Colorado law CRS 18-10-103 prohibits most forms of gambling with only a few exceptions. These include lotteries, land-based/online sports betting, fantasy sports, commercial casinos (three towns only), two tribal casinos, charity games, pari-mutuels, and horse racing.

Internet gambling is illegal in Colorado, including online casinos, although many offshore casinos continue to accept residents.

Lotteries

The Colorado Lottery falls under the governance and oversight of The Colorado Lottery Commission. State and interstate lottery tickets can only be bought at authorized resellers in Colorado. Mail-in subscriptions and online ticket purchases are not possible.

Fantasy Sports

Colorado law allows Fantasy Sports and Daily Fantasy Sports accessed online and via mobile within the state. This has opened up an opportunity for huge entrants like DraftKings and FanDuel to accept players from Colorado. However, all FS/DFS providers must be licensed and regulated in Colorado with the Division of Gaming in the Department of Revenue.

Charity Games

Colorado does allow a limited number of charitable events involving gambling. These must be held at licensed casinos or outside licensed gaming towns, provided that they are permitted by law. Non-profit organizations must be authorized to provide lotteries, bingos, and raffles, with all proceeds going to charities.

The existing constitutional requirement is for a charity to have existed for five years before obtaining a charitable gaming license.

Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel

A year after horse & greyhound racing and pari-mutuel racing was legalized, Colorado saw its first live racing event in 1949. Since then, off-track betting and interstate simulcasting have also been legalized. In 2014, greyhound racing became illegal in the state after the last dog track creased operations.

Sports Betting

Since May 1, 2020, sports betting has been legal in Colorado, provided that the operator is authorized and licensed within the state. The law applies to land-based casinos (retail operators) and online (and mobile) operators. This means that offshore operators not licensed in Colorado are illegal.

Land-Based Casinos in Colorado

Commercial casinos were partially legalized in 1991, but only in the three mountain towns of Central City, Cripple Creek, and Black Hawk. At present, there are 28 commercial casinos.

Additionally, 2 tribal casinos in the south-west part of Colorado operate Vegas-style casinos under the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

Land-based casinos may offer slots, sports betting, and table games.

Tribal Casinos	Address	Website
Ute Mountain Casino	3 Weeminuche Drive -Towaoc, CO 81334	www.utemountaincasino.com
Sky Ute Casino Resort	14826 Highway 172 North -Ignacio, CO 81137	www.skyutecasino.com

 

Commercial Casinos	Address	Website
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk	111 Richman St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.blackhawkameristar.com
Bull Durham Casino	110 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.bulldurhamcasino.com
Gilpin Casino	111 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.thegilpincasino.com
Isle Casino Hotel	401 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.isleblackhawk.com
Lady Luck Casino Black Hawk	340 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.ladyluckblackhawk.com
Lodge Casino	240 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.thelodgecasino.com
Mardi Gras Casino	300 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.goldenmardigras.com
Monarch Casino Resort	488 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.monarchblackhawk.com
Red Dolly Casino	530 Gregory St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.reddollycasino.net
Saratoga Casino	101 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.saratogacasinobh.com
Sasquatch Casino	125 Gregory Street, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.sasquatchcasino.com
Wild Card Saloon & Casino	120 Main St, Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.wildcardsaloon.com
Z Casino Black Hawk	101 Gregory St., Black Hawk, CO 80422	www.zcasinobh.com
Century Casino & Hotel	102 Main St, Central City, CO 80427	www.cnty.com/central-city
Dostal Alley Casino & Microbrewery Pub	116 Main St, Central City, CO 80427	www.dostalalley.com/casino
Easy Street Casino	120 Main Street – Central City, CO 80427	www.easystreetcentralcity.com
Famous Bonanza Casino	107 Main St, Central City, CO 80427	www.famousbonanza.com
Grand Z Casino Hotel	321 Gregory St, Central City, CO 80427	www.grandzcasinohotel.com
Johnny Z’s Casino	132 Lawrence Street Central City, CO 80427	www.johnnyzscasino.com
Brass Ass Casino	264 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.triplecrowncasinos.com/the-brass-ass
Bronco Billy’s Casino	233 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.broncobillyscasino.com
Century Casino Cripple Creek	200-220 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.cnty.com/cripple-creek
Colorado Grande Casino	300 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.coloradogrande.com
Double Eagle Hotel & Casino	442 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.decasino.com
McGills Hotel and Casino	232 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.triplecrowncasinos.com/mcgills-hotel-casino
Johnny Nolon’s Casino	301 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.johnnynolonscasino.com
Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino	256 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.triplecrowncasinos.com/midnight-rose-hotel-casino
Wildwood Casino Cripple Creek	119 Carbonate Street Cripple Creek, CO 80813	www.wildwoodcasino.net

Colorado Gambling History

Legalization of pari-mutuel, horse & greyhound racing through a General Assembly–preferred measure took place in 1948. Since then, there have been several amendments, the biggest of which was in 1991. This is when Senate Bill 91-99 expanded live racing to include interstate simulcasting and off-track betting.

Colorado’s non-profit organizations became legal on November 4, 1958, after an amendment to the Constitution (Colorado Measure 4) was narrowly approved by a margin of 51%-49%.

The Colorado Lottery began on January 24, 1983, offering draws and scratch tickets.

In 1991, Colorado legalized land-based casino gambling, paving the way for commercial casinos in the former mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek.

Four years later, in 1995, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe near Durango and the Ute Mountain Tribe near Cortez signed gaming compacts to setup tribal casinos.

In 2009, further constitutional amendments in Colorado permitted more games (craps and roulette), allowed 24/7 gaming, and increased betting limits to $100.

Fantasy sports regulations went into effect on July 1, 2017.

In 2019, House Bill 19-1327 was passed to legalize sports betting. Regulated sports betting began May 1, 2020, allowing online and land-based sports betting.

In November 2020, Amendment 77 was passed, allowing towns and local lawmakers to hold referendums to decide whether to raise or remove the maximum betting limit of $100. In the following month, all three municipalities opted to remove the limit.

The amendment also allowed new casino games such as keno, baccarat, and pai gow poker.

Colorado Gambling FAQ

Does Colorado have land-based casinos?

Colorado has 28 commercial casinos concentrated in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City. Also, there are two tribal casinos located in the south-west of the state (Towaoc & Ignacio).

Are winnings at land-based casinos subject to tax in Colorado?

Yes, gambling winnings must be reported in federal income tax returns.

Does Colorado allow lotteries?

Yes, The Colorado Lottery permits the sale of state and interstate lotteries from authorized resellers. Coloradans may not purchase tickets online.

Is sports betting legal in Colorado?

Sports betting is allowed at online operators provided that they are authorized and licensed in Colorado. Land-based retail operators (commercial and tribal casinos) may also offer sports betting.

What forms of gambling in Colorado are legal?

Colorado has legalized commercial and tribal casinos, lotteries, social gaming, pari-mutuels, racing, sports betting, and charity games.

What is Colorado’s legal gambling age?

The legal age of most gambling in Colorado is 18, except for land-based casinos and sports betting, which rises to 21.

Conclusion

Although Colorado is known chiefly for its breathtaking mountains and forests, avid gamblers also know that Colorado has a liberal policy towards many forms of gambling. The state is blessed with multiple land-based casinos to choose from, primarily commercial.

Still, interactive gaming, including online casinos, has yet to be legalized in the state. As of yet, it is unclear when this will happen. Still, this hasn’t stopped eager Coloradans from playing at offshore online casinos, like the ones recommended here. We invite you to visit our Colorado page periodically for updates, including changes to our recommended casinos and bonuses.