CO Betting Laws Explained
Is Sports Betting Legal in Colorado?
As with other states like Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, sports betting is now legal in Colorado. The first step towards this new era was the repeal of the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which was overturned by a decision in the US Supreme Court in 2018. Subsequently, the Colorado state legislature passed bill HB19-1327, which was confirmed by a public referendum later that same year. Supporters of legalized sportsbooks in the Centennial State won the vote by a narrow margin, paving the way for the first Colorado sportsbooks and online betting operators to open their doors â and websites â in May 2020.
Am I Eligible to Claim a Free Bet?
There are a few state laws and other regulations that govern whoâs allowed to claim free bets at online sportsbooks in the Centennial State. So long as you tick all the boxes, you should be able to bag that bonus wager and boost your bankroll in no time.
- Age â You have to be at least 21 years of age to legally partake in Colorado online betting. Youâre not allowed an account if youâre lucky enough to be younger, let alone claim free bets and bonuses.
- Location â State law says you have to be inside Colorado when you place your bets. Naturally, this stipulation is a given at in-person casinos, but the same goes for bets made using online Colorado sportsbooks.
- ID requirements â Some online sportsbooks in CO will ask for identification documents when you sign up, to verify your age and other details. This will be a state-issued driverâs license or similar document.
- Employee status â People who work for the sportsbook thatâs offering the deal usually arenât eligible for free bet bonuses. There are also restrictions in place for athletes from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and other professional sports bodies.
- Deposit requirements â There is such a thing as a risk-free sign-up bonus, but itâs rare. Instead, most CO sportsbooks will require an initial deposit of real money to activate the bonuses.
When Do Bookies Offer Free Bets?
The most common reason that sportsbooks in Colorado offer free bets is to encourage new customers to join and make that first time bet. From the bettorâs point of view, itâs a convenient way to sample what a betting platform is like, while enjoying a wager on anything from the NHL and NFL to cutting edge esports. Sometimes, youâll need to transfer over funds to claim the free bet, as you would with a deposit bonus. Other times, youâll get something simply for signing up.
Free bets at Colorado sportsbooks arenât always limited to new players, however, as you could also get the promotion if youâre an existing customer. Be sure to check your betting siteâs promotion page regularly for updates on promotions and bonuses. These sorts of extras often appear when thereâs a big sporting event on or can be offered as regular rewards to loyal sports bettors who make frequent deposits and qualifying wagers.
How Do I Claim a Free Bet?
Itâs easy to claim a bonus once youâve settled on the right choice for you â free bets are a sportsbookâs way to attract new customers, after all. Hereâs a step-by-step guide on how to get started with a free bet.
- Compare sportsbooks
Before commiting, compare and contrast the free bets available at various Colorado sportsbooks. To help you, we list all of the top betting providers in the Centennial State, ensuring that every single one has the proper licensing and meets all the necessary regulations to keep things safe and fun. Weâll also pick out any important terms and conditions you need to be aware of relating to free bet offers.
- Sign up for the sportsbook
Once youâve picked the betting site that suits you the most, you can sign up and claim your free bet. To do this, follow our link to go straight to the new account registration page on the site. Once there, you simply have to input all the requested details and accept the terms and conditions. You may also be required to provide extra identification documents. Finally, you should opt-in to the free bet offer, which is usually as simple as ticking a box or entering a promo code.
- Make your first deposit
Some free bet bonuses donât require you to make a deposit before you get to wager. Other sites will ask you to make a minimum payment before you can claim your prize. To make a deposit, simply click on the wallet or cashier area of your user account and select a payment method. Many of the Colorado online betting sites we recommend accept multiple payment options, from credit and debit cards, to e-wallets like PayPal.
- Claim your free bet
Once youâre signed and have deposited some funds into your account, you can choose your betting market and place your first wager. Some sites will ask you to decide whether you want to use the free bet bonus as your stake or go with your own cash deposit. Remember that if you use the free bet, youâre probably going to need to satisfy wagering requirements before you can cash any winnings back into your bank account.
Keep an Eye On the Terms and Conditions
It is important to remember that terms and conditions will likely apply to most free bets. These terms are the sportsbookâs way of limiting a memberâs ability to reap huge financial rewards using the bonus. Some common terms and conditions applied to free bets at Colorado betting sites include:
Time Limit
Itâs normal for free bets to be subject to a time limit, meaning youâll have to use your free bet bonus by that deadline for it to be valid. Limits can vary depending on the bookmaker you use, ranging anywhere from just 24 hours to 30 days.
Wagering Requirements
If your free bet is subject to a wagering requirement, youâll need to wager a certain amount before youâre able to cash out your bonus funds. For example, the wagering or playthrough requirement may be 2 times your bonus, meaning youâll have to wager double the amount youâve received in free bets before you can withdraw your cash. This is one of the most important things to check in the terms before you sign up.
Minimum Odds
Bookies donât want you chasing that wagering requirement with sure-thing bets. Thatâs why betting sites will often require you use the free bet on odds of a minimum value. So, if the odds on the Giants trashing the Jaguars are just too low, for example, you might find any winnings on that game wonât count towards the total you need to hit. Minimum odds are typically between 1.50-2.00.
Market Restrictions
The best betting sites in Colorado offer players a vast range of sports markets, from moneylines to future bets, as well as sports from all over the globe. However, you may find that the bonus funds can only be used on certain markets and sports. Itâs pretty important that you check this out before you sign up just so that you know how you can use your free bet.
Claiming a Free Bet on Mobile
The best Colorado online betting sites are optimised for use on your phone or tabletâs browser. Whatâs more, you may be able to download a dedicated betting app to your smart device, with versions available for both iOS and Android handsets.
Weâd say using these native sportsbook apps is a better option than relying on the mobile version of a betting website. Not only are apps designed with your specific smartphone or tablet in mind, providing sleeker functionality, you also donât have to rely on your browser to access them. Plus, you can activate push notifications which will alert you to the latest free bet bonuses and other offers.
Ready to Sign Up to a Colorado Free Bet?
Betting apps are the most convenient way to bet on the latest sporting action when youâre on the move. So in order to find the one that best suits your needs, simply check out our in-depth reviews of the top CO sportsbooks and follow the link weâve provided to sign up to your favorite.
FAQs
This will depend on which site you sign up to. Some sites will allow you to include your free bet in your parlay selection, while others sportsbooks wonât. Itâs best to check out the terms and conditions of the promotion before you claim it just so that you know exactly how it can be used.
No, free bets are not the same as having cash in your sports betting account. You can bet with them, of course, but you wonât be able to withdraw the bonus or associated winnings as real money without hitting a wagering requirement.
There are rules surrounding the use of free bets, where most bookies will state that bettors can only use one free bet token per wager. For example, if you have two $10 free bet tokens, youâll have to use each one for a separate wager. Most sportsbooks also have terms and conditions stating that free bets canât be used in conjunction with any other bonus or promotional offer.
Virtually all bookies have terms and conditions that place limitations on the use of your free bet. This includes the minimum odds of your wager, the sports you can wager on and the ability to cash out. Itâs worth reading the terms and conditions of your free bet offer before claiming if youâd like to have cash out available.
Most bookies will prominently display any free bets available, usually in close proximity to where you would usually see your balance. You may also find this information under a section most bookies call âMy Accountâ. Here, youâll usually see which free bets you’ve qualified for, details of what you can use your free bets on, and when your free bet expires.