Can You Play Online Poker Colorado?

No. You cannot play online poker legally in Colorado. Colorado is a liberal state with a good number of land-based casinos and live poker rooms. However, online poker is still technically illegal in the state. This makes playing poker for real cash legitimately rather difficult. Despite the apparent enthusiasm and big turnouts in these live locations, playing real poker online in Colorado isn’t legalized or regulated. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Colorado?

As with many other states in the United States, the laws governing Colorado online poker aren't very clear. While the law does not specifically prohibit online poker, it remains an unregulated industry and cannot be considered legal yet. 

Just recently, (November 2019), a law known as Proposition D, which legalized retail and online sports betting, was passed in Colorado. However, this law did not cover online poker and other online casino games, so they remain illegal. 

Poker fans looking for opportunities to play online for real money still have a few viable options they can explore. For instance, the state’s anti-gambling laws and federal regulations do not really apply to poker players but to organizations running these platforms. This means individual players can play online poker by exploring other options outside the state, such as offshore gambling sites. However, there are certain risks that come with doing so.

Offshore gambling sites operate outside the United States, and many of them are glad to accept poker players from Colorado. They often provide a range of online poker varieties and other gaming options. If you live in Colorado, it is possible to sign up for these offshore online poker sites such as Ignition and ACR Poker. But you should keep in mind the risks you are taking.

MyPokerCoaching does not recommend patronizing offshore gambling sites. These sites operate in a legal gray area beyond the jurisdiction of US authorities, which makes them very insecure and unreliable. Colorado players who play on these sites cannot be certain that they’ll enjoy fair games on these sites, and there’s no guarantee they’ll get their money when they win. 

Potential Colorado Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Colorado for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in CO will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in CO, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Colorado

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker CO will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Colorado

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, CO is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Colorado would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Colorado

The third CO poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.