The state of Colorado is awaiting its May deadline to start sports betting and the regulator has already given away 32 sports betting licenses divided into two categories to interested operators.

Sports betting is finally coming to Colorado

The state-approved the legalization of athletic wagering during a November 2019 public vote. Since then, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (CLGCC) has approved 32 operators in the state, including retail casinos and online sports betting operators.

It has two license types to offer. The Master License is for retail casinos that aim to offer both brick-and-mortar land-based sports betting as well as online sports betting across the state. These license holders can have two strategic partners for this purpose. The second license is online-only, but operators are required to tie up with a land-based casino before they offer their services.

Century Casinos, Inc. has received three master licenses which will allow it’s Central City and Cripple Creek locations to provide athletic wagering within their premises. They can also work with a licensed online sportsbook. The casino operator said that it is actively negotiating with several potential partners who could help it operate online betting in the state. Las Vegas-based Circa Sports, which already has an agreement with Century has also received a license. The two struck a 15-year deal in February for providing online sportsbook offerings.

Other companies that have received Master licenses include Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk, Bull Durham Saloon and Casino in Black Hawk, The Gilpin Hotel Casino in Black Hawk, The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk and Johnny Nolon’s Casino in Cripple Creek. Recently, Australian operator PointsBet also received an online-only license in the state.

Could the launch date be pushed?

“We’re still moving everything forward as far as licensing and everything to make sure we reach that May 1 date and are able to go. Those discussions certainly will happen later on, probably in April as this COVID crisis moves forward and we see where the casino industry is at, at this time,” he commented.

The state is launching sports betting services at a time when most sporting events in the country have already been canceled. It is unclear what the situation will be when May comes around the corner. However, Director of Division of Gaming at CLGCC, Dan Hartman said that there is no discussion on postponing the launch yet.