Press Releases
PlayColorado.com: Betting falls below $250 million as state closes first year of sports betting
Colorado officials confirmed Tuesday that sports betting volume dropped in April, a product of seasonal pressures that will likely slow the state’s sportsbooks until football season, according to PlayColorado, which tracks the state’s regulated sports betting market. But as sports betting in the state turned 1, a modest decline hardly dampens the outlook for a state poised for more growth in Year 2.
“In U.S. sports betting, there isn’t any real substitute for the popularity of the NFL or the NCAA Tournament,” said Ian St. Clair, analyst for PlayColorado.com. “But even with a monthly decline in wagering, Colorado continues to fare well compared with similarly sized states. The circumstances now are radically different from last year’s pandemic-plagued launch, and there is reason to believe that the state will be back to full speed once football returns.”
Colorado’s online and retail sportsbooks took in $244.5 million in April, down 18.8% from $300.1 million in bets in March, according to data released Tuesday afternoon by the Colorado Division of Gaming. The state’s official tally is slightly less than the unaudited data that was reported by the Division of Gaming earlier this month.
Bettors placed $8.1 million bets per day in April, down from $9.7 million per day in March. Those bets led to $17.6 million in gross gaming revenue, down 13.8% from $20.4 million in March. Promotional credits worth $6.4 million whittled net sports betting proceeds to $10.5 million, yielding $1.1 million in tax revenue.
From the industry’s launch on May 1, 2020, through April 30, 2021, Colorado sportsbooks generated:
- $2.3 billion in wagers
- $147.4 million in gross gaming revenue
- $61.5 million in net betting proceeds
- $6.6 million in state taxes
“The outlying metric continues to be the state’s take, which may yet need to be adjusted to ensure that the industry is working for every stakeholder,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayColorado. “Still, considering the circumstances of its launch, the first year of sports betting in Colorado was a success.”
A drop in wagering was to be expected with the lighter sports schedule. Every state with legal sports betting has reported a month-over-month decline in April wagering. Of the largest sports betting markets in the U.S. that have already reported April data, Indiana (-25.4%), Iowa (-26.7%), and Michigan (-30.5%) all experienced a more dramatic month-over-month decline than Colorado, though New Jersey (-13%), Tennessee (-13.6%), and Pennsylvania (-14.4%) were modestly better.
The NBA remained king in April, which has been the case in most markets. Betting reached $84.3 million, down from $106.9 million in March. Baseball betting in the season’s first month was second with $48.3 million, a total likely dampened by the struggles of the Colorado Rockies. The Colorado Avalanche propelled hockey betting to No. 3, with $10.6 million, while table tennis ($9 million) continued to show atypical popularity.
“Colorado’s unique mix of betting interests does help flatten some of the seasonal swings that some other major markets experience,” St. Clair said. “If the Nuggets and Avalanche can make deep playoff runs and the Olympics pique interest, Colorado stands a good chance of avoiding the worst of the typical summer swoon.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Colorado, visit PlayColorado.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayColorado.com, PlayIndiana.com, and PlayNJ.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
Compliance Updates
Licenses received: RockApp strengthens its position in the US iGaming market
RockApp, a leading global media buying agency, proudly announces that it has obtained official licenses in all regulated US states, allowing it to promote iGaming services nationwide, including Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. With these licenses, RockApp is now authorized to operate in all regulated US states, except for New York. This achievement comes amidst tightening regulatory standards, underscoring the agency’s commitment to compliance and excellence in performance marketing. The move positions RockApp as a trusted partner for iGaming companies looking to expand their reach in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets.
These developments enable the agency to work with prominent industry players, including established American brands, and deliver targeted advertising campaigns with measurable results. By securing a legal presence in all regulated states, RockApp reinforces its reputation as a reliable and professional partner, capable of navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
This milestone is part of RockApp’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global leader in the media buying industry. Over the past year, the company has demonstrated impressive growth, achieving a 440% increase in customer acquisition, a 300% boost in turnover, and a record-breaking 4,000 first-time deposits achieved in a single day. These achievements reflect RockApp’s dedication to innovation, strategic planning, and delivering exceptional value to its clients.
“This is a pivotal moment for RockApp,” said Niko Belikov, Founder at RockApp. “Securing licenses in the US not only opens new doors for us but also allows us to bring our expertise in iGaming promotion to a market that values professionalism and results. We’re excited to support our clients as they navigate this dynamic landscape and achieve unparalleled success.”
Compliance Updates
Media Troopers Receives Two-Year Renewal of Colorado Sports Betting License
Media Troopers, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in sports betting and iGaming, has marked its two-year anniversary in promoting sports betting in Colorado as a vendor licensed by the state.
Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers said: “We are very proud of this renewal, as it marks a milestone of two successful years of growth and commitment to the State of Colorado.”
Colorado’s Division of Gaming has renewed Media Troopers’ vendor license, allowing the company to promote sports betting offers for its customers until January 2027.
“Receiving a new license and debuting in a state is always exciting, but it is where the hard work begins,” Segal added. “So I am proud to celebrate two successful years of hard work and dedication in promoting safe and reponsible gaming for our Colorado partners such as BetMGM, bet365, and BetFanatics.”
Latest News
1/ST and Goodwood Racecourse announce Group 1 pathways between the United Kingdom and North America
1/ST, North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company, and Goodwood Racecourse, one of the United Kingdom’s leading racecourses, today announce a new initiative that will see a reciprocal partnership between 1/ST-owned racecourses in North America and Goodwood Racecourse in the United Kingdom.
This exciting new partnership will see horses gain automatic entry following success at the Pegasus World Cup meeting at Gulfstream Park on January 25, and at Goodwood Racecourse’s world-famous five-day festival, the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf winner in 2025 will be granted automatic entry to the 2025 running of the Qatar Sussex Stakes. Likewise, the victor of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf will gain automatic entry to the Qatar Nassau Stakes in 2025.
Additionally, the winner of this year’s £1m, Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Turf in 2026 and the winner of the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2026.
This new partnership will create an easily accessible pathway for horses to compete both in North America and the United Kingdom and help to encourage top-tier racehorses to travel and increase international participation at both fixtures – while also bolstering elite fields for global audiences and deeper fan engagement.
Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, said: “Thanks again to our friends at Goodwood Racecourse as our partnership enters its second year. We can’t wait to see how our Pegasus World Cup Turf winners fare on the other side of the pond and look forward to welcoming the victors of the Qatar Sussex Stakes and Qatar Nassau Stakes back to Gulfstream Park in late January 2026 for one of the most lucrative racedays on the East Coast.
“These reciprocal pathways mark the latest strides in 1/ST’s bid to broaden the appeal and international participation in the world’s major races. We’ve already seen such incentives reap immediate rewards when Crimson Advocate won at Royal Ascot in 2023, having punched her automatic spot via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park. Now, Miami can hopefully work its magic again with the Qatar Goodwood Festival!”
Edward Arkell, Director of Racing at Goodwood Racecourse, added: “We are thrilled to announce this fantastic new initiative, and I would like to thank 1/ST for their enthusiasm and support. By pairing two of our most prestigious races with a pair of turf races at the Pegasus World Cup meeting, we are confident that we have unlocked a well-scheduled gateway.
“This partnership also highlights the importance of collaborating with the best horseracing in the World and allows us the opportunity to showcase the obvious benefits of working alongside the North American horseracing circuit.”
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