Adjustments continue with Colorado's Sports Betting Regulations and Offerings
Across the nation, lawmakers find themselves grappling with local educational institutions seeking exemptions from legal sports wagering for their athletic competitions. Concerned primarily about the potential risks to student-athletes, educators argue that permitting betting could expose athletes to undue danger.
In the case of Colorado, sports betting is legally sanctioned, but the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission continues to make adjustments to protect student-athletes, particularly in college sports. The latest alteration, made just days after the introduction of live wagering on May 1, sees the removal of a bet type from the state's comprehensive catalog. Initially, bettors could wager on the "top team goal scorer" in collegiate soccer, but this bet has been eliminated.
According to a spokesperson from the LGCC, the removed bet could have referred to either the season or a single game, prompting its removal due to its focus on an individual player.
Amid these changes, the LGCC plans to redefine proposition bets specifically to exclude bets "UPON THE ACTIONS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL OR POSITION." Regarding the occurrence or non-occurrence of a certain outcome during an event that does not directly affect the final outcome of the game.
Professionals in the state's sports betting industry regard these changes as precautionary rather than transformative. Equating the move to typical exercises of caution, Johnny Avello, Director of Sportsbook Operations at DraftKings, compared it to additional measures taken by other jurisdictions and expressed respect for Colorado's diligence, despite some initial reservations.
DraftKings was one of the four mobile platforms that launched in Colorado on May 1. Mattias Stetz, COO of Rush Street Interactive, which debuted its Colorado BetRivers site last week, echoed Avello's sentiments. According to Stetz, the new definition seems to apply primarily to specific players, such as quarterbacks or point guards, and could be seen as a clarification rather than a significantly new restriction.
The new definition will be subject to a vote at the Commission's June 18 meeting. Meanwhile, Colorado is also considering HB 1311, which would levy taxes on promotional bets, but has been adjourned for further deliberation in the 2026 legislative session [2]. This bill does not directly address proposition bets on college sports.
While the debate over the ethical implications and potential risks of proposition bets on college sports remains ongoing, Colorado's proactive approach to protecting student-athletes highlights the importance of striking a balance between the burgeoning sports betting industry and the welfare of young athletes.
[2] The Denver Post: Colorado sports betting bill wins Senate approval, but faces House hurdles before possible approval in 2026.[3] Colorado Public Radio: Colleges and Universities Across U.S. Push for Exemption from Sports Betting Legislation.[5] USA Today: Concerns about student-athletes and gambling lead to calls for college sports wagering reforms.
- The removal of the "top team goal scorer" bet type in Colorado sports-betting, as a precautionary measure, highlights the growing concern about protecting student-athletes from undue risk in collegiate sports.
- The new definition proposed by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, aimed at redefining proposition bets to exclude bets "UPON THE ACTIONS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL OR POSITION," is seen as a clarification rather than a significant new restriction by professionals in the state's sports-betting industry.
- Amidst ongoing debates about the ethical implications of proposition bets on college sports, Colorado's proactive approach to directly addressing these issues through policy changes, such as the new definition of prop bets and considering taxes on promotional bets, underscores the importance of balancing the growth of the sports-betting industry with the welfare of young athletes.
