- A Colorado senate committee narrowly pushed forward a bill targeting sports betting restrictions in the state.
- The biggest piece of the legislation is a prop bet ban that would be a first in the entire country if it clears.
- A projected $2.4 million revenue drop now hangs over the bill as it heads into its next committee review.
DENVER – On Tuesday, Colorado’s Senate Finance Committee moved a sports betting bill forward by the slimmest of margins, a 5-4 vote, setting the stage for what could be a significant shift in how residents bet on sports across the state.
Senate Bill 26-131, which targets numerous facets of the sports betting sector, is sponsored by Senator Matt Ball (D-Denver). Push alerts and texts seeking bets would be blocked, credit card deposits would be forbidden, deposits would be restricted to five per 24-hour period, and sports betting advertisements would not air between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., when younger audiences are typically viewing.
Prop Bets on the Chopping Block
The legislation’s main feature is a complete prohibition on proposition bets, which are wagers based on specific in-game events, such as rushing yards or strikeouts, or on individual player performances rather than the result of a game. Colorado would be the first state in the nation to outlaw prop bets, which are now one of the most popular features on legal sports betting sites.
Not everyone backed the proposal. Sen. Janice Marchman (D) pushed back — pointing out that in 2024, more than 76% of Colorado voters approved sports betting — arguing that any move to ban prop wagers should be left to voters, not lawmakers.
The Sports Betting Alliance also opposed the measure — the group, representing Colorado sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 – warning that cracking down on regulated operators could push bettors toward offshore sites with little to no consumer protection.
The bill is on its way to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where senators will assess the legislation’s provisions against an anticipated $2.4 million income decline in its first year. That choice will have a significant impact on whether or not prop bets are permanently eliminated in Colorado.
