Colorado Gambling & Gaming Laws (2026)

A comprehensive legal reference for gambling & gaming in the state of Colorado. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 6 different categories.

Daily Fantasy Sports are legal in Colorado. In 2023, Colorado regulators implemented new rules to clarify what constitutes a legal fantasy sports contest, leading to a ban on certain player-versus-house pick'em games.

DFS Rules

Legal

Licensed Operators

Legal

Penalties

N/A

Minimum Age

18+

Gambling Age

RESTRICTED

The minimum gambling age in Colorado is 21 for casino gambling and sports betting. State law sets the minimum gambling age at 21 for casino gambling.

Casino Minimum Age

21+ for casinos/sports betting; 18+ for lottery

Lottery/Other Gambling Age

Legal

Penalties

Underage gambling is a misdemeanor; venues face license revocation.

Minimum Gambling Age

18-21 depending on type

Colorado legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2020 under Amendment 77 and regulates it through the Colorado Division of Gaming. Online operators must be licensed and comply with Colorado Revised Statutes Title 44, Article 30.5.

Online Casino Rules

Possession of licensed online gambling software is legal.

Licensed Platforms

Sale and operation of online casino and poker services require state licensing under C.R.S. § 44-30.5-101 et seq.

Penalties

Unlicensed operation is a felony under C.R.S. § 44-30.5-120.

Minimum Age

21 years and older.

Legal status of Online Gambling / Sports Betting in Colorado has not yet been verified. In March 2026, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 26-131 to add further consumer protections and restrictions to the existing legal sports betting framework, which was approved by voters in 2019.

Online Gambling Rules

Unverified

Licensed Operators

Unverified

Penalties

Unverified

Minimum Age

Unverified

Social poker home games are legal in Colorado as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant changes to social gambling laws since they were enacted.

Home Game Rules

Legal for social games without a rake

Rake/House Cut Rules

N/A

Penalties

Taking a rake converts it to illegal gambling.

Age Requirements

Varies, typically 18+

Sports Betting

RESTRICTED

Sports betting is legal in Colorado. Launched in May 2020, the market has seen continuous growth and new operators.

In-Person Betting

Legal for 21+. Colorado launched sports betting in May 2020 under Proposition DD (approved by voters in 2019). Online/mobile and retail betting available. Competitive market with 25+ licensed operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and numerous smaller operators. No restrictions on bet types. College sports betting allowed.

Online/Mobile Betting

Online/mobile betting available statewide. Retail sportsbooks at licensed casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Operator tax rate: 10% of net sports betting proceeds.

Penalties

Unlicensed operations face Class 3 misdemeanor charges. Individual bettors using licensed platforms face no penalties.

Minimum Betting Age

21+