Colorado Sports Betting Boom Shows How Far Legal Wagering Has Come Since 2018

Colorado has become one of the clearest examples of how dramatically legal sports betting has expanded across the United States since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018.

According to a recent report from The Denver Post, Colorado bettors wagered a record $6.4 billion during the latest fiscal year, generating more than $47 million in state tax revenue. The figures represent another milestone for one of the nation’s most competitive online sports betting markets.

When Colorado voters approved Proposition DD in 2019, sports betting was viewed primarily as a new source of funding for the state’s Water Plan. Six years later, the market has far exceeded early expectations.

The state now features numerous online sportsbooks, with betting available on professional sports, college athletics, international competitions and many other events. Sports betting taxes continue to help fund water conservation projects while also supporting gaming regulation and responsible gambling programs.

Colorado sports betting growth mirrors what has happened nationally. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, legal sports betting has expanded to dozens of states.

Americans wagered nearly $167 billion through regulated sportsbooks during 2025, producing almost $17 billion in sportsbook revenue and billions more in state tax collections. Online wagering now accounts for the overwhelming majority of legal sports betting activity in the United States, underscoring how mobile apps have transformed the industry.

Major Sportsbooks Available in Colorado

Colorado offers one of the broadest selections of licensed online sportsbooks in the country, giving bettors access to numerous operators competing for market share. Some of the most popular platforms include:

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• bet365
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Hard Rock Bet

Competition among operators has helped drive innovation through expanded betting menus, same-game parlays, live wagering, player props and improved mobile technology.

Colorado’s open-market model has frequently been cited as one of the country’s most competitive regulated betting environments.

Wisconsin Preparing for Online Sports Betting Launch

While Colorado’s market continues to mature, Wisconsin remains one of the few states still working toward broader online sports betting access.

Plans to expand online wagering have generated significant debate. Supporters argue statewide mobile betting would modernize Wisconsin’s gaming industry, increase tax revenue and allow residents to wager legally without traveling to neighboring states.

Opponents, however, have raised concerns about problem gambling, consumer protections and the state’s constitutional limits on commercial gambling expansion.

Wisconsin has also become a focal point in the ongoing legal battle surrounding sports prediction markets. State officials have challenged companies offering sports-related event contracts, arguing that those products resemble unauthorized sports betting under Wisconsin law.

Those disputes highlight the broader regulatory questions states continue to face as new wagering products enter the marketplace.

Industry Continues to Evolve

Eight years after PASPA was overturned, legal sports betting has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. gaming industry.

States continue to evaluate new legislation, sportsbooks are expanding their offerings, and regulators are balancing consumer demand with responsible gaming initiatives.

Colorado’s record-setting fiscal year demonstrates how regulated sports betting has evolved from a limited experiment into a major source of entertainment and tax revenue.

As additional states explore mobile wagering and the legal landscape surrounding prediction markets continues to develop, the industry’s next phase of growth may be just beginning.