- Colorado has introduced what could be one of the most aggressive sports betting regulation bills the country has seen.
- The bill puts broadcast ad blackouts, strict deposit limits, and a near-total ban on prop bets all on the table at once.
- Senate Bill 131 now heads to the Finance Committee, where its broadly written language leaves its final form very much up in the air.
DENVER – Colorado legislators are turning their attention to the state’s sports betting scene, pushing forward a new bill that could bring some of the toughest rules on sportsbooks the country has seen.
Supported by both parties, Senate Bill 131 addresses several issues that have grown since Colorado voters approved legal sports betting in 2019.
A fairly distinct picture is painted by the figures. In 2025, Colorado residents wagered over $6 billion on sports online, a 130% increase from the market’s inception. Contacts to the state’s gaming helpline increased by almost 45% during that same period.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Dan Woog in collaboration with Senators Matt Ball and Rod Pelton. In an interview with the Denver Post, Ball admitted that lawmakers were unprepared for the market’s rapid growth and much of its accompanying effects.
Advertising Rules Take Center Stage
One of SB 131’s main concerns is the way Colorado sportsbooks can advertise to the general public. The law would prohibit broadcast sports betting commercials, including those during live game broadcasts, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The law cites the number of younger viewers among sports TV viewers as the main justification for the prohibition. Promotional terms like “bonus bet” or “no sweat,” which are frequently employed in the industry, would also not be allowed in any advertising materials.
The bill targets various aspects of the betting process alongside advertising. It would virtually outlaw proposition bets, which are bets on anything other than the outcome of a game, such as player statistics, penalties, or injuries.
Since prop bets now account for a sizable share of accessible markets, their elimination would significantly alter the way that betting is conducted in the state. In addition to prohibiting credit card deposits for betting accounts, the law would impose a strict daily limit of five deposits per consumer. Sportsbooks would be subject to additional limitations on their ability to communicate with customers directly; text messages and push alerts that encourage betting would be prohibited.
Now that Senate Bill 131 is in the hands of the Senate Finance Committee, members will examine it more closely. Changes to the bill’s current version are generally anticipated before it proceeds because of how broadly it was drafted.
