Colorado Statewide Rule

Colorado Sports Betting Master License Requirement

Significant RestrictionsApplies statewide across Colorado (2026)

Key Facts

Tax rate: 10% of net sports betting proceeds
Master license eligibility: Only casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, Cripple Creek
Minimum betting age: 21 years old
License term: 2 years, renewable
License fee cap: Up to $125,000, set by commission rule
Enforcing agency: Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission / Division of Gaming
Effective date: May 1, 2020 (Prop DD, approved Nov. 2019)

Last verified: August 21, 2026

Summary

Colorado legalized sports betting statewide in 2020 under C.R.S. section 44-30-1505, but the state issues a "master license" only to holders of an existing retail gaming license -- the licensed casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Those master licensees can then contract with a sports betting operator to take bets online anywhere in Colorado via computer or mobile device.

(2)(a)(I) The commission may issue a master license, upon the applicant's payment of any required fees and compliance with all other requirements of this part 15, to a person that holds a retail gaming license as described in section 44-30-501 (1)(c). A person holding more than one retail gaming license may be issued one master license for each retail gaming license it holds. ... (III) A master licensee shall conduct sports betting on its premises in accordance with this part 15 and shall not transfer its licensed sports betting operation to be conducted at any facility located outside the city of Central, the city of Black Hawk, or the city of Cripple Creek... This subsection (2)(a)(III) does not prohibit sports betting through a licensed internet sports betting operator by a customer using his or her own computer or mobile or interactive device anywhere in the state.

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Full Breakdown

Colorado's sports betting law sits in Part 15 of the Limited Gaming Act, enacted by House Bill 19-1327 and activated by voters through Proposition DD in November 2019, 800,745 to 756,712, effective May 1, 2020. The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, inside the Division of Gaming at the Department of Revenue, issues three license types: master license, sports betting operator, and internet sports betting operator under section 44-30-1505(1). A master license goes only to a person who already holds a retail gaming license under section 44-30-501(1)(c) -- meaning one of the licensed casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, or Cripple Creek; a casino holding multiple retail gaming licenses can hold one master license per license under section 44-30-1505(2)(a)(I).

The master licensee must run its sports betting on its own casino premises and cannot move that operation to any other type of licensed facility under section 44-30-1505(2)(a)(III), but that restriction explicitly does not block internet sports betting, which a customer can reach statewide from a personal computer or mobile device. Each master licensee may contract with no more than one sports betting operator and one internet sports betting operator at a time. Licenses run two years and are renewable, with fees set by commission rule up to a statutory cap of $125,000 under section 44-30-1505(4).

Colorado taxes net sports betting proceeds at a flat 10% under section 44-30-1508(1), with revenue routed to the sports betting fund created at section 44-30-1509; voters expanded how that fund's surplus revenue can be used through Proposition JJ in November 2024. Bettors must be at least 21.

Violations & Penalties

Unlawful acts under section 44-30-1511 include charging a fee other than the commission's set rate, accepting a bet from anyone under 21, and accepting a bet outside the place or manner authorized in the license. A basic violation is a class 2 misdemeanor under section 44-30-1512(1); an underage bet can also draw a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Corrupt procurement of a license, or a conflict-of-interest violation, is a class 4 felony; false or misleading disclosure is a class 6 felony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I legally bet on sports online anywhere in Colorado?

Yes. While a master license must be tied to a physical casino in Black Hawk, Central City, or Cripple Creek, C.R.S. section 44-30-1505(2)(a)(III) specifically allows a licensed internet sports betting operator to take bets from a customer's own computer or mobile device anywhere in the state, not just inside the three gaming towns.

Who can get a Colorado sports betting master license?

Only a person who already holds a retail gaming license under section 44-30-501(1)(c) -- one of Colorado's licensed casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, or Cripple Creek. A casino holding more than one retail gaming license can be issued one master license for each, and each license expires two years after issuance unless renewed.

How much tax does Colorado collect on sports betting?

The state taxes net sports betting proceeds at a flat 10% under section 44-30-1508(1). Voters approved the tax through Proposition DD in November 2019 by a margin of 800,745 to 756,712 votes, and the tax took effect May 1, 2020 alongside the rest of the licensing framework.

What happens if a sportsbook takes a bet from someone under 21?

It's an unlawful act under section 44-30-1511(1)(b), punished as a class 2 misdemeanor under section 44-30-1512(1). The operator can also face a separate charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor under section 18-6-701 for accepting the underage wager.

Sources

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