Who is this article suitable for? – both novice and experienced bettors who want to benefit from Colorado sports betting
As online gambling has only really been possible in the state of Colorado for a couple of years, it does not mean there are not experienced bettors as there have been other options like Draftkings Sportsbook Colorado, to name just one. There have also been a number of offline options available since 1990 (more on that next) so those that have a familiarity with gambling will be looking for the best deals when they move online.
In addition, there will be those who were unable or unwilling to bet offline and are keen to get started – but are uncertain of the best way to go about it. Regardless of whether you are a beginner, experienced or somewhere in between, you will benefit from what you will learn in this guide.
The legal history of sports betting in Colorado
Many states have what could be called an ‘all or nothing’ record when it comes to regulating gambling. This is not the case with Colorado, however, where there is very much a gradual progression to where we are today with the legalization of online and offline sports betting.
This journey starts just after the end of the second world war when pari-mutuel betting was legalized for horse and greyhound racing, with charitable gambling being approved ten years later. Things were quiet for the next 25 years until 1982 when the Colorado lottery began, starting the ball rolling for much bigger changes less than a decade after.
Gaming initiatives allow the opening of casinos in the mountain areas; and tribal casinos soon follow suit. However, stakes and opening hours are limited for the next 20 years until table games are added and maximum stakes are increased at the 30+ casinos to be more in line with what you might see elsewhere. Finally, ten years after this shift, online and offline sports betting is legalized, and making off track betting in Colorado a reality using simulcast racing.
Editor’s recommendation – the best sports betting operator for users in Colorado
As a state that is relatively new to online sports betting, Colorado has a range of U.S betting sites that are competing for new customers. For this reason, there are plenty of generous looking offers around and as a new bettor, you might be wondering if they are all the same. However, while they might all look the same, they are not, and despite some stiff competition from Colorado Betway, the current editor’s recommendation is for BetMGM.
The reasons for this are not just because of the attractive ‘risk-free’ bet up to $1000 as a welcome bonus (although this is a very good reason) but because BetMGM have a solid past record of offering a top-drawer service to states that are introducing online wagering for the first time.
As you would expect they already have a highly rated operation in Colorado but also Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Washington DC and Wyoming as well as the states where you would expect online wagering to be the norm like New Jersey or PA. Because they are well practiced at offering services that fit the different regulations in each of these states, then you should be able to have confidence in their operation here in Colorado.
Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Colorado – Use this checklist for the best Colorado online sports betting experience
However, if you don’t want to go with BetMGM, somebody like you will want to make sure your choice is a fair and secure one. With that in mind, here’s a handy checklist of questions you need to ask yourself so you can decide whether or not your chosen operator is one you can trust.
Obviously the first thing you need to look at, but also really quite easy to check. Operators aren’t usually shy about their license details, especially in a state where online gambling is still quite new. So, you should find details in the footer of the homepage, or in the about page or at worst in the T&Cs. If you don’t see it, it should start to set alarm bells ringing and you might want to look elsewhere.
While this is the second thing on the list, you probably saw this while you were checking out #1. This is as easy to check as the last point and is done by looking for two things – first, does the web address you are looking at start with https and not http? And secondly, go to the payments page and check you see the words 128-bit encryption which is the same tech used by banks. Again, if the operator doesn’t tick both these boxes, bail.
Can you trust the operator with your money?
OK, for this one you’ll need to look at the T&Cs. Nobody enjoys doing this but here’s it important, and you are only looking for the part that tells you that customer funds are kept separately from the operating funds. A word you might see is ‘ring fenced’, which basically means, if the operator has money troubles, your cash doesn’t get used to bail them out or pay creditors.
Can you reach customer support easily?
Yes, there’s almost certainly a FAQ section on the operator site, but they just tend to deal with the standard stuff. What you’re looking for here are quick and useful answers from their support team, and not the generic automated nonsense that doesn’t help at all. Ask a couple of questions they don’t have answers for in the FAQs, and see what type of response you get. This will tell you everything you need to know about how they will deal with an important issue like a withdrawal.
What do other people say about them?
Reading reviews about anything to do with gambling is always a bit hit and miss because many of the smaller individual comments are usually emotional responses and might be a bit short on detail. Clearly, if there are a lot of these emotional responses then that could point to a big problem, but balancing the shorter reviews with the longer in depth ones should give you a much clearer picture.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Colorado residents? – assessing Colorado sports betting operators for you
As we mentioned earlier, you get more from an in-depth review than you would from just a few comments. That review will tell you even more if it is created by a team of expert reviewers who rate operators according to certain criteria:
The bonus
We look at the size of the bonus and the wagering requirements you’ll need to meet to be able to pocket any of it. If the bonus is particularly attractive, we’ll also review it separately in more depth.
Using the operator site
No matter how good the bonus is, if you can’t find your way around the site then there’s no point in signing up. The same goes for loading times for any of the pages or games if, like the Colorado casino Betway offers, there is an option for slots. Also, we need to look at the app for mobile devices as some will be better than others.
Payments and withdrawals
We’ll also take a look at the number of payment methods supported by an operator, and report back on any delays, extra fees or additional problems that occur. The withdrawal process also gets examined to make sure you can get your money when you want it without too many problems.
Customer support
We’ve already looked at this earlier, but when we carry out a review, we delve a bit deeper and tell you what’s available and when, how long it takes to get a reply and if there any additional costs in getting hold of them on the phone.
Operator license
It’s the same story with the license, although you’ll be searching it out yourself, we’ll take a deeper look and check for other signs of legitimacy like checking out the parent company (if there is one) and seeing if they are traded on any stock exchanges.
Loyalty & VIP
Operators want you to stick around and not bail as soon as you’ve used the welcome bonus. They typically do this by using a loyalty program; and we check this out to see what’s in it for you, and if it’s worth you hanging around.
Great betting bonuses
1.
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
100% up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
5 x $50Bet Credits
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Finding the right operator for you – do you need a new home for your Colorado online sports betting?
By now, you’ve probably worked out that finding the right Colorado online sports betting operator isn’t going to be as easy as you thought it would, or you are now looking at your current sportsbook in a new light. Luckily, we can offer you a few pointers towards either finding your first sportsbook or finding a new one that is a better option for you.
For instance, if you mostly place wagers on games while you’re watching them in a bar with friends, then you’ll need one that has a strong live betting section, and a fast and easy to use mobile app.
Or, if you are looking for more than just sports betting you might want to check out an operator like Draftkings, where you can also access Draftkings casino Colorado.
Whatever the reason, the reviews, ratings and recommendations here at TheGruelingTruth.com should have all the answers you are looking for.
Conclusion – everything you need to know about Colorado sports betting under one roof
You’ll agree then, that while finding the best way to start Colorado sports betting might not be as easy as you thought, there are plenty of resources you can use to find the best option available for you, whether you are a brand-new bettor, or and experienced hand looking for somewhere new to place wagers on your favourite sports.
We’ve covered what you need to look for when searching for an operator to help you find one you can trust. You’ve seen the criteria we look at when we rate and review an operator, and even recommended one that ticks every box. We think this could be the best place for you to start or continue your Colorado online sports betting journey.
Top betting bonuses for 2023
1.
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
100% up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
3.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
4.
5 x $50Bet Credits
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
5.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Colorado sports betting FAQ
💭 Is Colorado online sports betting legit?
The history of gambling in Colorado is peppered with landmark legislation changes over the course of the last seventy or eighty years. As a result, it can be hard to know if Colorado online sports betting is a reality yet or not. To find the most complete answer to the question of if Colorado sports betting is legit, read our free guide.
🤑 What is the best Colorado online sports betting bonus?
Trying to find the best sportsbook bonus is never an easy task as there is so much choice. Almost every operator will offer one, but some are better than others. To see what our team of expert reviewers found in their search for the Colorado online sports betting bonus check out the online reviews at TheGruelingTruth.com
❓ What is the best place for Colorado online sports betting?
Deciding which sportsbook is best can be difficult as it will depend on several factors including your own level of experience and preferred betting style. Luckily you will have plenty of choice and the online resources available at TheGruelingTruth.com should have all of the answers you are looking for.
