License Name
Colorado Casino License / Colorado Sports Betting License
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Issuing Country/Region
United States - Colorado
Regulatory Body
Colorado Division of Gaming (part of the Colorado Department of Revenue) and Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission
Types of Regulated Games
Casino table games, slot machines, sports betting (retail and online)
Market Coverage
Local (State of Colorado)
Regulator's Reputation
Very Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Business must be appropriately registered in Colorado; no requirement for non-resident applicants to form a local entity, but must comply with local laws
Minimum Share Capital
Not specified in publicly available statutes
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
All officers, directors, key employees, and shareholders with significant interests must undergo licensing or suitability review
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Comprehensive AML obligations under state law and federal Bank Secrecy Act requirements
Data Protection Requirements
Must comply with relevant state and federal data protection laws
Reporting Requirements
Periodic and event-driven reporting to regulator, including financial, compliance, and incident reports
Audit Requirements
Regular revenue and compliance audits conducted by the Division of Gaming
Software Certification Requirements
Gaming equipment, software, and systems must be certified and approved by the regulator
RNG Certification
Required for relevant casino games via certified test labs
Payment System Requirements
No explicit public requirements for payment providers, but subject to regulator oversight
Server Location Requirements
No specific public mandate for in-state servers; vendors handling certain data may require licensing
Domain Name Requirements
No explicit requirement for local or specific domains for operators
Language Support Requirements
English required
Currency Support Requirements
US Dollar (USD) required
Legal Compliance Costs
Fees for license application, renewals, background investigation, and legal compliance apply
Background Checks
Thorough criminal, financial, and professional background checks on key persons and material shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Limited to land-based casinos in designated gaming towns and licensed sports betting (both in-person and online/mobile)
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Required by Colorado state law; casino and sports betting revenue is taxable
Player Data Storage Requirements
Must comply with relevant regulations, including for responsible gaming and self-exclusion data
Cross-Border Operations
Only permitted within Colorado; no authorization for international internet gambling
License Application Transparency
Significant level of disclosure required; public record of licensees maintained
Regulatory Contact Point
Colorado Division of Gaming offices in Golden, Cripple Creek, and Central City
Compliance Officer Requirement
Not explicitly required by statute but recommended for ongoing compliance
Local Partnership Requirements
Sports betting operators must contract with a licensed master (casino) licensee for market access
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes handled under Colorado law in state courts; administrative remedies available through the regulator
License Transferability
Transfer subject to regulatory approval; notification and suitability review required for new controlling parties
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted; all operators and vendors require direct licensing
License Cost
Casino (Retail) License: $5,500–$8,000 + $5,000–$10,000 background deposit; Sports Betting Master License: $2,000; Sports Betting Operator/Vendor Major: $1,200 + $10,000 background deposit
Annual Fees
Same as original for each two-year renewal period; operating fees for sports betting: $78,000 (internet) or $11,700 (retail) annually
Income Taxes
20% tax on adjusted gross proceeds from casino gaming; 10% tax on sports betting revenue
Player Winnings Taxes
No required state withholding on standard winnings; subject to IRS federal tax reporting rules
Financial Guarantees
Background deposit for investigation; additional guarantees if demanded upon suitability review
Liquidity Requirements
Not specified in public regulations
Financial Reporting Requirements
Periodic audited reports and timely event-driven disclosures required
Application Processing Time
Varies, typically several months depending on background investigation
Required Documents
Entity formation documents, personal and financial history disclosures, business/operational plans, background check materials
Business Plan Requirements
Business plan and internal control submission required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, responsible gaming, data protection, and operational compliance policies required
Testing Requirements
All gaming equipment and platforms must undergo testing and certification before approval
Certification Requirements
Certification of all gaming equipment, RNGs, and associated systems is mandatory
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must demonstrate fitness and qualifications; licensing required
Physical Office Requirements
No strict requirement for remote operators, but in-state presence necessary for compliance
Local Representative Requirements
Not mandatory unless required for service or local operations
Marketing Restrictions
Must comply with responsible advertising standards and must not target self-excluded individuals
Responsible Gaming Measures
Obligatory self-exclusion systems, problem gambling resources, responsible marketing
Self-Exclusion System
Statewide self-exclusion program enforced via central database for all licensees
Age Verification Procedures
Rigorous age verification required; only patrons 21+ may gamble
KYC Procedures
Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations apply to all operators for compliance and anti-fraud
Customer Support Standards
Must offer adequate customer service and complaint handling
Complaint Handling Procedures
Licensees must have formal complaint procedures; Division of Gaming accepts complaints
Player Funds Protection
No explicit statutory segregation but subject to regulator’s financial suitability oversight
Payout Timelines
No specified mandate, must comply with contractual and regulatory standards
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Subject to responsible gambling and advertising rules; free bet limitations on deductions
Permitted Games List
Casino games, slot machines, house-banked table games, and approved sports betting; restricted to licensed types
Betting Limits
State law restricts maximum single bet limits for casino (e.g., $100 max bet); sports betting as regulated
RTP Requirements
No minimum publicly mandated return-to-player (RTP) but subject to regulator approval for machines/software
Jackpot Regulations
Not expressly specified; progressive jackpots allowed per game licensing
Live Game Requirements
Permitted for table games if licensee uses approved equipment and procedures
Mobile App Compliance
Same compliance as other platforms for remote sports betting; certification and licensing required
Affiliate Program Rules
Vendors providing marketing or affiliate services require Vendor licenses
Security Standards
Must apply reasonable security controls; vendor and platform approval requires demonstration of robust security controls
Encryption Requirements
Use of SSL/TLS encryption required for data transfers and personal data storage
Backup Requirements
Not specified; may be required under internal controls submitted to the regulator
Monitoring Systems
Required for compliance and anti-fraud monitoring
Operation Logging
Required for regulated operators with audit trail capability
Anti-Fraud Systems
Obligatory for licensees, especially sports betting and online gaming operations
API Integration Standards
Subject to regulator approval, secure integration required for data sharing/reporting
Hosting Requirements
No explicit state residency requirement for servers; oversight of critical vendors
CDN Usage
No explicit requirement or limitation specified in public rules
Scalability Requirements
Not publicly specified; infrastructure must adhere to business plan and internal controls
Uptime Requirements
No mandated percentage; must not unduly interrupt regulated gaming operations
Technical Support Availability
Not specified, but must support operations and compliance
License Duration
Two years for all standard licenses
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application and fees required before expiration (120 days for operator licenses), with background clearance
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation of license; possible criminal penalties under the Limited Gaming Act
Ownership Change Rules
Notification and regulatory approval required for change of control
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Subject to regulator approval
Subcontractor Regulations
Third-party providers generally must be licensed as vendors
Branding Requirements
Not specified publicly; licensees must avoid misleading representation
Intellectual Property Protection
Standard U.S. federal and Colorado state IP law applies
Dispute Arbitration
State law and contractual terms apply unless otherwise agreed
Insurance Requirements
Not specified in public sources
Charity Contributions
Not required by law
Staff Training Requirements
Responsible gaming and compliance training expected for key staff
Innovation Support
No specific regulatory sandbox, but regulator considers new technology proposals
Sustainability Initiatives
Not mandated in current regulations
Accessibility Standards
Not specified
Multilingual Support
Not mandated, but English required
Cryptocurrency Support
Not permitted for regulated casino or sports betting transactions
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted as a form of approved sports betting under license
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Regulated separately by Division of Professions and Occupations
Official Address
Colorado Division of Gaming, 1707 Cole Blvd, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80401
Online Application Portal
https://sbg.colorado.gov/gaming-licenses
Work Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00–17:00
Regional Offices
142 Lawrence St, Central City, CO 80427; 450 E Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Technical Support
Contact via main office
Media Contact
Contact via main office
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoDepartmentofRevenue
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/ColoradoDOR
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/user/ColoradoDOR
Departments
Licensing; Audit; Enforcement and Compliance
FAQ Question 1
What is Colorado Casino License / Colorado Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 1
The Colorado Casino License and Sports Betting License authorize the legal operation of land-based casinos and retail/online sports betting, under the regulation and supervision of the Colorado Division of Gaming and Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Colorado Casino License / Colorado Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 2
The State of Colorado, through the Colorado Division of Gaming and the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, issues and regulates these licenses
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Colorado Casino License / Colorado Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 3
Commercial casino license fees range from $5,500 to $8,000, with a $5,000–$10,000 background deposit. Sports Betting Master License is $2,000; Sports Betting Operator and Vendor licenses are $1,200 plus $10,000 background deposit. Annual operating fees apply
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Colorado Casino License / Colorado Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include legal entity registration, criminal and financial background checks for key persons, submission of detailed business and technical information, certification of gaming systems, compliance with anti-money laundering and responsible gaming standards, and regular audits and financial reporting