Colorado legalized sports betting sites in 2019. However, online casino fans must settle for free-to-play sweepstakes casino sites. These casinos allow you to win real prizes by playing with virtual currency, making them a great alternative to traditional online casinos.
This guide will cover some of the best sweepstakes casinos and tell you everything you need about online gambling in Colorado. Let’s get started with our top recommended online casinos in the Centennial State.
Just because there are no legal online casinos in Colorado doesn’t mean you can’t find places to play casino games in the Centennial State.
Colorado’s online casino market may be restricted compared to other states, but you can still find thousands of high-quality online casino games at sweeps sites in the Centennial State. See below for some of the most popular games you can play in Colorado.
Players may want to stick with games with high RTP percentages for greater potential chances of winning. RTP tells you how much a game will pay on average over time. For example, a game with a 98% RTP will pay out $0.98 for every $1 wagered.
Games with high RTPs payout more on average in the long run, however, all games use Random Number Generators (RNG), so no outcome is guaranteed. Most online slots range from 92%-99% RTP, while table games typically start at around 98%.
Colorado has some of the richest gambling history in the US. Saloons and casinos were essential to the state's establishment during the Wild West period. More recently, Colorado's gambling laws have been a little more controlled. The state slowly legalized horse racing betting, charitable gambling, and lottery games before finally legalizing land-based casinos in 1990.
In 2019, Colorado officially legalized online gambling by passing Proposition DD to legalize online and in-person sports betting. Over a dozen legal online sports betting sites are now available in Colorado, but online casinos remain illegal.
Former Department of Revenue Executive Director Mark Ferrandino said in 2023 that there was some movement to legalize Colorado online casinos in the state legislature. He’s no longer in government, so it’s unclear whether lawmakers are still open to expanding the state’s legal online gambling market.
Getting started with Colorado sweepstakes casinos is a straightforward process that shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes. Follow this step-by-step guide and see how easy it is to start playing casino games in Colorado today:
After you create your account, your sweeps site should boost your virtual bankroll with free coins.
You'll need to buy a bundle when you want to top up your GC and SC. Review the available packages and assess whether or not you wish to buy. Remember that your first purchase will usually be discounted as part of the welcome bonus offer, but this discount will not last forever.
If you buy coins in addition to your sign-up package, you will have many payment methods available. All the top online casinos in Colorado accept traditional banking methods like Visa and Mastercard and modern options like Bitcoin.
Anyone 21 or older can legally play casino games and bet on sports in Colorado. You must also be physically in the state to use licensed Colorado sports betting sites. This means you must allow the gaming operators to use your device’s location to verify where you are before you start playing.
However, you must be 18 or older to play casino games at sweepstakes casinos in Colorado.
Before you can win whilst playing casino games or betting on sports in Colorado, you must verify your identity. Most sites make this easy and will automatically use the information you used to sign up to verify your identity. Social casinos typically ask you to provide a picture of an official government ID, such as your driver’s license or passport.
All online gambling in Colorado is regulated by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (CLGCC), a five-member sub-agency of the Department of Revenue, Division of Gaming. Colorado online casinos, offshore casino sites operating in Colorado, and legal online sportsbooks all fall under the CLGCC’s jurisdiction.
Their main goal is to protect players. They ensure that legal gaming operators follow state law and that no unlicensed sites operate in the state to rip players off. The CLGCC also provides responsible gambling resources and other valuable tools for Colorado players.
Casino apps allow you to play all your favorite games from anywhere with an internet connection. Modern technology also means that most mobile casinos have all the same features as desktop sites, so you don’t have to sacrifice function when you play on the go. See below for your options for iOS and Android devices in Colorado.
Colorado's gambling history dates back to the Wild West, but online gambling is much more recent. The Centennial State only welcomed sports betting in 2019, when Colorado voters approved Proposition DD.
Colorado voters vote yes on the Colorado Limited Gaming Initiative to legalize land-based casinos in select cities.
Multiple new casinos in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek open their doors to Colorado players.
State law is amended to allow for higher maximum bets, longer opening hours, and table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, etc.) to be permitted at Colorado casinos.
Voters approve Proposition DD, legalizing in-person and online sports betting in Colorado.
The Colorado Lottery launches its official Jackpocket app, allowing players to purchase lottery tickets online for the first time.
When we say legal online casinos, we are talking about casino sites that have received licenses from the state government to operate legally inside the state. Colorado has not legalized online casinos, so the state has not issued any licenses.
Offshore casinos, on the other hand, are online casinos based abroad. They typically have licenses from international jurisdictions like the Malta Gaming Authority, but some operate outright without licenses.
International online casinos are technically available in the US, but many states, including Colorado, have started to crack down on them. We suggest sticking with trustworthy US casinos and sweepstakes sites versus offshore casinos.
There are plenty of great land-based casinos to choose from. With the help of the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Gaming, the mountain cities of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek have developed into booming casino hubs.
With nearly 1,300 online slots and a massive 57,000-square-foot gaming floor, the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk is one of the biggest casinos in Colorado. It also has the largest selection of table games and poker tables, with 40 blackjack, roulette, table games, and 22 poker tables.
Formerly known as the Riviera Casino, the Monarch Casino Resort Spa is arguably the most popular casino in Colorado. Part of its popularity is due to its proximity to Denver. This isn’t the only reason, though. Monarch Casino has a vast 250-seat buffet, four other restaurants, multiple bars, and even lounges to complement its 1,200 slots and 10+ tables.
While not as big as the Monarch or Ameristar Casinos, a 2024 study found that Johnny Z’s Casino in Black Hawk is the “luckiest casino in Colorado.” Based on player data and reviews, the study gave Johnny Z’s a 28% “luck percentage.” Monarch and Ameristar both scored under 15%.
In addition to this lucky study, Johnny Z’s Casino stands out for its nearly 400 slots, video poker machines, and six blackjack, roulette, and poker tables.
No, online casinos are not legal in Colorado. However, former Colorado state representative and Department of Revenue Executive Director Mark Ferrandino said in 2023 that he believes the state legislature may be ready to legalize them in the coming years.
Yes! Even though there are no real money casinos, sweepstakes casinos are available in Colorado. Stake.us and High 5 Casino are just two of Colorado's legal sweepstakes casinos that you can play now.
RealPrize and Hello Millions social casino sites are great alternatives to online casinos. Both have hundreds of high-quality games—our experts like Stake, WOW Vegas, and High 5 Casino.
The Colorado sweepstakes casinos highlighted in this guide are very safe. Others might not be, which is one of the dangers of playing in a largely unregulated market like Colorado. Always do your research and try to stick with big brands you can trust.
Yes. All the best social casinos in Colorado give you bonuses just for signing up. You can earn even more bonus credits and free spins by logging into your account daily.