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Colorado operates a distinct limited gaming market authorized in three historic mountain towns: Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. The state’s gaming landscape transformed significantly with 2008’s Amendment 50, which increased maximum bets from $5 to $100, added craps and roulette to the previously slot-and-poker-only offerings, and allowed 24/7 casino operations. As of 2024, Colorado licenses 33 commercial casinos alongside two tribal gaming operations run by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Sports betting arrived in Colorado in 2020 following voter approval of Proposition DD in November 2019. The state permits both retail sports wagering at licensed casinos and mobile/online sports betting statewide, with each casino authorized to operate one individually branded platform or “skin.” Sports betting quickly became a significant revenue generator, taxed at 10 percent of gross gaming revenue.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, within the Department of Revenue’s Division of Gaming, oversees all commercial gaming activities. The regulatory structure emphasizes responsible gaming through comprehensive funding mechanisms and operator requirements, though Colorado’s approach differs from many states by not statutorily mandating self-exclusion for land-based casino operations.
Colorado made groundbreaking commitments to responsible gambling in 2022 with House Bill 22-1402, establishing the Responsible Gaming Grant Program with $2.5 million in annual funding through 2032. In February 2025, the Commission awarded $2,948,660 in responsible gaming grants—the third round of awards since the program’s inception. This funding supports prevention, education, counselor certification, public awareness, treatment, recovery services, and research throughout Colorado.
Requirement Category | Key Obligations |
Player Protection | Voluntary self-exclusion program for 1 year (minimum), 3 years, or 5 years covering casinos, retail sportsbooks, and online sports betting; self-exclusion may be completed online, in-person at Division of Gaming, or through internet sports betting operator; no automatic removal after period expires—individuals must request removal; persons on exclusion list forfeit wagered money but may retain unwagered funds. |
Marketing & Advertising | All advertisements, including TV and radio must include 1-800-GAMBLER helpline (audible and understandable on audio ads); exception for ads strictly marketing hotel/restaurant facilities without gaming references; licensees prohibited from false or misleading advertising; operators and marketing affiliates must comply; transparency required in promotional terms and conditions. |
On-Property Requirements | Sports betting operations with retail locations must display responsible gaming information and toll-free helpline visible in sports betting areas and at cash access devices; information about self-exclusion forms must be available to patrons requesting to self-exclude. |
Exclusion List Management | Colorado Division of Gaming maintains consolidated exclusion list database covering self-excluded, involuntary-excluded, and prohibited persons; list distributed to retail gaming licensees, sports betting operators, sports leagues, and Division-approved third-party vendors; confidential information may only be used to prevent direct marketing to excluded individuals; violations subject to disciplinary action. |
Operator Reporting | Retail gaming licensees, sports betting operators, and internet sports betting operators must submit annual reports describing responsible gaming promotional efforts in preceding fiscal year and plans for current fiscal year. |
Credit & Financial Controls | No credit offered to patrons at commercial casinos; cashless gaming permitted; cryptocurrency deposits allowed (converted to cash); no fund transfers between patrons. |
Staff Obligations | Licensees responsible for maintaining lawful operations; must immediately notify Division of discovered violations; patron dispute resolution procedures required with Division oversight. |
Operational Restrictions | Minimum age 21 for gaming areas and sports betting; indoor smoking ban applies to commercial gaming facilities; complimentary alcoholic beverages permitted; no wagers accepted on high school sports or proposition bets on collegiate events. |
Financial Contributions | 2% of gaming revenues (minimum $100,000) transferred to state gambling addiction account; $2.5 million annually transferred from state share of limited gaming fund to Responsible Gaming Grant Program Cash Fund (2022-2032); additional transfers from sports wagering revenue hold-harmless fund after two years. |
Involuntary Exclusion | Division may initiate exclusion proceedings by filing petition with Commission; individuals may petition for hearing within 30 days; attorney may petition for removal after five years; list may be shared with licensees and posted on Division/Commission websites. |
Regulatory Oversight | Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and Division of Gaming regulate commercial gaming; tribal gaming commissions regulate Class III gaming on tribal lands; Commission conducts hearings, charges violations, establishes fees, promulgates rules, and administers grant program in collaboration with Behavioral Health Administration. |
Colorado’s responsible gambling framework reflects a progressive funding model that provides substantial resources for treatment and prevention. The state’s comprehensive grant program—supported by dedicated annual appropriations rather than relying solely on percentage allocations—demonstrates significant financial commitment to addressing problem gambling. The exclusion list system creates unified coverage across all gaming formats while maintaining strict confidentiality protections.
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Read the reportLimited Gaming Rule 29 and Sports Betting Rule 9 established responsible gaming duties and requirements for casinos and sports betting operations, while designating the Colorado Division of Gaming as custodian of the self-exclusion list. The Division compiles and distributes the list to all operators within Colorado, creating a unified exclusion system across gaming formats.
Unlike many jurisdictions, Colorado does not statutorily mandate self-exclusion programs for land-based casino operators. However, sports betting operators face mandatory requirements to establish and maintain self-exclusion programs and share exclusion data with the Division of Gaming.
Persons on the exclusion list are prohibited from:
Individual self-exclusion means an individual has made a conscious voluntary effort to exclude themselves from all forms of gaming under the regulatory purview of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and the Colorado Division of Gaming.
Colorado offers three exclusion period options:
These periods differ from many states that offer 5-year and lifetime options. Colorado’s structured approach provides clear timeframes without permanent lifetime exclusions.
Self-exclusion may be accomplished in multiple ways:
Method 1: Through the Division of Gaming
Individuals may self-exclude either in-person or through a web-based application. All self-exclusions through the Division require identity verification prior to inclusion on the exclusion list.
Online Application:
Complete application through the Division’s secure portal at betsmart.colorado.gov
PDF Application:
Download form from Division website and submit in accordance with instructions
Method 2: Through Internet Sports Betting Operator
Individuals may initiate self-exclusion directly through licensed internet sports betting operators, who must provide self-exclusion forms to requesting patrons.
Method 3: In-Person at Casino Property
Licensees must either provide access to secure Division portal, direct patrons to dedicated computers on property to access Division website for self-exclusion, or direct patrons to Division website if portal is unavailable.
Financial Forfeitures:
Persons on the exclusion list forfeit any money actively wagered in casino games or sports betting. However, individuals may retain any remaining funds that have not been actively wagered after being placed on the excluded list.
Loss of Privileges:
Corporate Exclusion:
Individuals self-excluding in Colorado may be included on corporate exclusion lists for gaming corporations operating in multiple states, potentially extending exclusion to other jurisdictions. Individuals must be informed prior to placement on corporate exclusion lists.
No person is automatically removed from the exclusion list when the selected time period expires. Individuals continue to remain on the self-exclusion list until they request removal after completing their designated period.
Some casino companies, including Ameristar Casino and The Horseshoe/Lady Luck Black Hawk, consider self-exclusion a permanent decision and will not allow individuals who rescind self-exclusion applications to gamble at their facilities.
The Colorado Gaming Association emphasizes that the self-exclusion program is not designed as a temporary “time out” for individuals wanting to stop gambling “for a little while” and eventually return to previous behaviors. The program is intended for persons who want to permanently cease gambling activities, requiring serious commitment before enrollment.
The Division of Gaming may initiate exclusion proceedings by filing a petition with the Commission. The petition must include:
Individuals being considered for involuntary exclusion may petition the Commission for a hearing within 30 days of the date the petition is delivered or posted in official newspapers in Gilpin and Teller counties (where Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek are located).
After five years on the involuntary exclusion list, an individual’s attorney may petition the Commission for removal, providing pathways for reconsideration based on changed circumstances.
The Division may share the involuntary exclusion list with retail gaming licensees and sports betting operators and may post the list on the Division’s and Commission’s websites, creating transparency while maintaining enforcement capabilities.
House Bill 22-1402, enacted in 2022, created the Responsible Gaming Grant Program in the Colorado Department of Revenue to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming statewide. The legislation represents Colorado’s most significant financial commitment to addressing gambling harm.
Annual Appropriation:
$2.5 million transferred annually from the state share of the limited gaming fund to the Responsible Gaming Grant Program Cash Fund for fiscal years 2022-23 through 2031-32.
Additional Revenue Sources:
Funds from the wagering revenue recipients hold-harmless fund, not distributed within two years after being credited, are transferred to the cash fund.
Statutory Gaming Revenue Allocation:
Two percent of total revenues (minimum $100,000) derived under the Colorado Limited Gaming Act must be transferred to the state gambling addiction account, providing baseline funding separate from the grant program.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Administration, administers the grant program and awards grants to eligible applicants from the cash fund.
Eligible Applicants:
Applications previously funded but failing to complete reporting requirements become ineligible for funding in the year following non-compliance until submitting required documentation.
Application Deadline:
December 1 annually at 5:00 PM (applications for next fiscal year)
Submission Methods:
Review Timeline:
Eligible applications presented to Commission no later than March 1 of each year
Award Considerations:
The Commission considers:
Recipients must submit annual reports by September 1 to the Commission including:
Recipients may be required to make presentations to the Commission on their programs and grant fund usage.
In February 2025, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission approved $2,948,660 in responsible gaming grants—the third round of awards since program establishment.
Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado:
Over $1.1 million for problem gambling center operations, collegiate education and prevention program, and general awareness project.
Kindbridge Research Institute:
More than $840,000 for separate projects addressing athlete well-being, problem gambling within military populations, and review of treatment programs and availability throughout Colorado.
Massachusetts Council for Gaming and Health:
$200,000 to develop certification program for Colorado gambling addiction counselors.
Colorado Division of Gaming:
$330,000 for responsible gaming marketing campaign promoting resources and self-exclusion options.
These diverse awards demonstrate the program’s comprehensive approach, funding direct services, research, professional development, and public awareness simultaneously.
The Colorado Division of Gaming maintains one interactive database consolidating individuals who have been:
This unified approach prevents individuals from gaming at any format or venue by ensuring all operators access the same comprehensive list.
The exclusion list is distributed to:
Recent regulatory amendments expanded access to include licensed third-party vendors pre-approved by the Division director, strictly to ensure self-excluded individuals do not receive direct marketing.
Requirements for Third-Party Vendors:
Limited information may be shared with affiliates and Division-approved third-party vendors solely for ensuring self-excluded individuals do not receive direct marketing. The information contained in the database and updates provided to licensees are confidential and may only be used for intended purposes.
Violations:
It is a violation for any licensee or vendor to use confidential data in any other way, subject to disciplinary action including potential license suspension or revocation.
Retail gaming licensees must use best efforts to determine whether new and existing players club members or patrons are on the exclusion list, either through the licensee’s own database or by checking the secure Division portal prior to issuing player cards.
The Director determines how each licensee, league, or individual interacts with the exclusion database, maintaining flexibility to accommodate different operational structures while ensuring compliance.
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Download nowAll forms of media advertisements including television and radio must include the 1-800-GAMBLER problem gambling help number. This requirement applies to:
Audio Advertisement Requirements:
On television and radio advertisements, the text “1-800-GAMBLER” must be audible and understandable, not merely displayed visually.
Advertisements strictly for casinos’ hotel or restaurant facilities that do not market gaming or sports betting are exempt from responsible gambling messaging requirements. This exemption recognizes that many Colorado casinos operate as destination resorts with substantial non-gaming amenities.
Licensees are prohibited from allowing, conducting, or participating in any false or misleading advertising concerning limited gaming operations or sports betting activities.
Operators must clearly communicate terms and conditions of bonuses and promotional offers, ensuring bettors understand requirements for claiming and withdrawing bonus funds. This transparency requirement addresses concerns about misleading promotions that create unrealistic expectations.
Retail gaming licensees, sports betting operators, and internet sports betting operators must annually submit reports to the Division director describing:
This accountability mechanism ensures operators actively integrate responsible gaming into their marketing strategies rather than treating it as mere compliance obligation.
The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado serves as the state’s primary resource organization for individuals and families affected by problem gambling. As an affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Coalition provides comprehensive services throughout Colorado.
Contact Information:
Main Office: 303-955-4682
24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Website: www.problemgamblingcoalitioncolorado.org
24/7 Helpline:
Confidential support staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate assistance, referrals, and information about treatment options.
Education and Training:
Programs for gaming industry personnel, healthcare providers, and community organizations about recognizing and responding to problem gambling.
Treatment Referrals:
Connections to certified gambling addiction counselors and treatment programs throughout Colorado.
Public Awareness:
Campaigns and materials educating Coloradans about responsible gambling and available resources.
Research and Data:
Collaboration with researchers and stakeholders to understand problem gambling prevalence and treatment effectiveness in Colorado.
As recipient of over $1.1 million in the 2025 Responsible Gaming Grant cycle, the Coalition operates multiple programs:
Colorado requires individuals to be at least 21 years old to enter gaming areas of casinos or place sports bets. This uniform age restriction applies across all gaming formats:
The Colorado Gaming Association identifies underage gambling as one of two major forms of problem gambling (alongside compulsive gambling). The industry has implemented policies and practices to deter underage gambling, recognizing it as a serious concern requiring proactive response.
Tribal casinos operated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe maintain the same 21-year minimum age for Class III gaming, creating consistency across commercial and tribal operations.
Legislation enacted in 2019 authorizes Colorado’s 33 licensed casinos to obtain master licenses for offering sports betting at their properties and via online platforms. Each casino is limited to one individually branded platform or “skin,” preventing market oversaturation while enabling competition.
Sports betting revenue is taxed at 10 percent of gross gaming revenue. However, operators may deduct:
This effectively lowers the taxation rate while maintaining revenue for state programs.
Free Bet Deduction Limits:
The declining deduction percentages represent Colorado’s effort to maximize tax revenue as the market matures.
Master License: $2,000 initial application fee, renewed every two years.
Sports Betting Operator or Internet Sports Betting Operator License: $1,200 fee, renewed every two years.
Annual Operations Fees (FY2025):
Colorado prohibits wagers on:
General wagers on collegiate sports are permitted, but player-specific prop bets are prohibited to protect amateur athletes from potential corruption or harassment.
Sports betting operations with retail locations must display responsible gaming information and toll-free helpline numbers prominently in sports betting areas and at cash access devices, ensuring patrons encounter resources at point of play.
The Colorado Revised Statutes establish the Commission within the Department of Revenue, Division of Gaming. The three-member Commission’s powers and duties include:
Regulatory Authority:
Created by Section 44-30-302 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the Division operates within the Department of Revenue and handles day-to-day regulatory operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Director’s Authority:
The Division director determines procedures for exclusion list interaction, dispute resolution processes, and administrative enforcement actions.
The Field Operations Unit and Technical Systems Group of the Division provide oversight and regulatory interpretations to independent testing laboratories for all gaming devices and systems in Colorado, ensuring games operate fairly and accurately.
Tribal gaming commissions of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe regulate on-site operations at their respective Class III gaming facilities. The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and Division of Gaming monitor tribal gaming to ensure operations comply with tribal-state gaming compacts, creating dual oversight that respects tribal sovereignty while maintaining state interests.
Colorado prohibits casinos from extending credit to patrons, requiring all gaming to be conducted with cash, cashless gaming systems, or cryptocurrency deposits converted to cash. This restriction reduces risk of gamblers accumulating debt specifically for gambling purposes.
Unlike some jurisdictions that prohibit complimentary alcoholic beverages, Colorado permits casinos to serve complimentary drinks to patrons. However, responsible service practices apply, and casinos must comply with state liquor laws regarding service to intoxicated persons.
Colorado gaming facilities are subject to an indoor smoking ban under state law, prohibiting smoking within casino properties. This contrasts with tribal casinos, which are not subject to the state smoking ban and may permit smoking in gaming areas.
Colorado permits cashless gaming within commercial gaming facilities under Rule 30-1296, allowing patrons to use electronic payment systems rather than physical currency. This modernization supports convenience while maintaining transaction tracking for regulatory oversight.
While Colorado does not outline specific regulations regarding cryptocurrency, patrons are permitted to deposit cryptocurrency which is then converted into cash deposits for gaming use. This accommodation recognizes evolving payment preferences while maintaining regulatory control through conversion requirements.
Sports betting operations must attempt to resolve all patron disputes directly with patrons. Operators must investigate each complaint and provide responses to patrons. If resolution cannot be achieved, the Division director investigates and issues written decisions within 10 business days after completing investigation.
Failure to immediately notify the Division of disputes, notify patrons of their rights, or pay after adverse decisions constitutes violations subject to disciplinary action.
Colorado’s responsible gambling regulations reflect a distinctive approach emphasizing substantial funding commitments over extensive mandates. The state’s $2.5 million annual grant program, combined with traditional percentage allocations from gaming revenue, creates one of the nation’s most robust financial frameworks for addressing problem gambling.
Dedicated Grant Funding:
Colorado’s establishment of a multi-million dollar annual grant program with funding guaranteed through 2032 demonstrates financial commitment beyond most states’ percentage-based allocations. The $2,948,660 awarded in February 2025 alone exceeds many states’ total annual responsible gambling expenditures.
Comprehensive Coverage:
The unified exclusion list database covering casinos, retail sports betting, and online sports betting prevents individuals from circumventing self-exclusion by moving between gaming formats or venues.
Third-Party Marketing Controls:
Recent regulatory amendments extending exclusion list access to Division-approved third-party vendors with strict confidentiality requirements address modern marketing ecosystems where operators often rely on affiliate networks.
Research and Innovation:
Grant funding for organizations like Kindbridge Research Institute studying athlete well-being, military gambling issues, and treatment program effectiveness demonstrates commitment to evidence-based interventions.
Professional Development:
Support for gambling addiction counselor certification programs through grants to organizations like Massachusetts Council for Gaming and Health builds Colorado’s treatment infrastructure capacity.
Operator Accountability:
Annual reporting requirements ensuring licensees describe responsible gaming promotional efforts create ongoing accountability beyond one-time compliance demonstrations.
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Only:
Unlike sports betting, land-based casino self-exclusion is not statutorily mandated, relying on voluntary industry participation. While the Colorado Gaming Association supports self-exclusion, the non-mandatory structure creates potential gaps.
Limited Exclusion Periods:
Maximum five-year exclusion period without lifetime option may be insufficient for individuals with severe gambling disorders who need permanent separation from gaming environments.
No Automatic Removal Prevention:
Requirement that individuals must request removal after exclusion periods expire, while intended to prevent premature return to gambling, may create barriers for individuals whose circumstances have genuinely changed.
Permanent Policies at Some Properties:
The fact that some casinos (Ameristar, Horseshoe/Lady Luck Black Hawk) treat self-exclusion as permanent even when individuals request removal creates inconsistency across properties and may deter some individuals from self-excluding.
Modest Statutory Funding:
The 2% of gaming revenues ($100,000 minimum) allocated to the state gambling addiction account, while existing since the Limited Gaming Act’s inception, represents relatively modest funding compared to the substantial grant program created in 2022.
Limited Data on Participation:
As of February 2025, more than 430 Coloradans had signed up for self-exclusion—a participation rate that may be low relative to estimated problem gambling prevalence, though comparative data across states is limited.
Colorado’s model demonstrates that substantial financial commitment to treatment and prevention can coexist with limited mandatory restrictions on operations. The state prioritizes funding solutions over imposing extensive operational mandates, an approach that reflects Colorado’s distinctive gaming market structure with limited geographic scope (three historic towns) and relatively small number of licensed operators (33 casinos). This model’s effectiveness in reducing gambling harm relative to states with more extensive mandates but less generous funding warrants ongoing evaluation as the grant program matures.
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