Colorado Advances New Sports Betting Restrictions

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-29

Colorado lawmakers are pushing forward with stricter rules for sports betting, responding to growing concerns about gambling addiction, aggressive advertising, and the rapid growth of online wagering since it was legalized. Two separate bills are moving through the state legislature, aiming to tighten oversight on sportsbook operations and expand protections for problem gamblers. The main proposal, Senate Bill 26-131, has already cleared key committee votes. It targets the way sportsbooks operate by limiting promotional offers, restricting certain payment methods, and imposing new rules on how bets can be placed. Supporters say these changes are necessary to curb risky behavior and protect vulnerable players. ### What the New Rules Would Do The new legislation focuses on three main areas: - **Tighter limits on promotions:** Sportsbooks would no longer be able to offer unlimited free bets or deposit matches. These offers often encourage people to gamble more than they normally would. - **Restrictions on payment methods:** The bill seeks to ban credit card deposits for online betting, making it harder for users to chase losses with borrowed money. - **Stricter oversight on advertising:** Ads would need to include clearer warnings about the risks of gambling, and targeting minors would be strictly prohibited. A second measure would add sports betting to Colorado’s voluntary self-exclusion program. This program allows individuals to ban themselves from casinos and other gambling venues for a set period. Extending it to online sportsbooks would give players an easier way to step away from wagering if they feel it's becoming a problem.  ### Why This Is Happening Now Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020, and since then, the industry has grown fast. Operators have poured money into ads and promotions to attract new users, but critics say this has come at a cost. Reports of gambling-related harm have increased, and state officials are under pressure to act. “We’re seeing more people struggle with gambling addiction, and the current rules aren’t doing enough to protect them,” said one lawmaker involved in drafting the bill. “These changes are about putting safeguards in place before the problem gets worse.” The timing also matters. With the Super Bowl and March Madness just around the corner, betting activity spikes. Lawmakers want to have these rules in effect before the next major sports event. ### What This Means for Bettors If the bills pass, the biggest change for most users will be the end of flashy sign-up bonuses. Instead of getting a $1,000 match on your first deposit, you might only get a smaller, one-time offer. Credit card bans could also make it harder to fund accounts quickly, though debit cards and e-wallets will still work. For anyone who feels they're betting too much, the expanded self-exclusion program offers a clear exit. You can ban yourself from all licensed sportsbooks in Colorado for a minimum of one year. After that, you can choose to stay out or reapply for access. ### The Big Picture Colorado isn’t alone in tightening the rules. Several other states, including Ohio and Massachusetts, have recently introduced similar restrictions on sports betting ads and promotions. The goal is to balance the revenue from legal betting with the need to protect consumers. For now, the bills still need to pass the full legislature and get the governor’s signature. But the momentum is clearly behind them. If you bet on sports in Colorado, expect things to look different soon. *This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always gamble responsibly.*