Bill targeting problem gambling goes to Governor Polis for approval
Colorado lawmakers have sent a sweeping sports betting reform package to Gov. Jared Polis after both chambers approved a final version of Senate Bill 131 during the closing days of the 2026 legislative session.
The bill cleared the Senate on a 20-15 vote after the House passed an amended version 50-13. Polis now has 30 days to sign it into law, veto it or let it take effect without his signature. If enacted, the legislation would go into effect in August.
The bill targets what sponsors describe as predatory practices in the online sports betting industry, which has grown from roughly $1 billion in annual wagers to more than $6 billion since Colorado voters legalized the activity in 2019.
Under the legislation, bettors would be capped at six deposits per 24-hour period into their sports wagering accounts. Credit card deposits would be banned outright. Sportsbooks would also lose the ability to send push notifications or promotional text messages encouraging bets.
Advertising restrictions would prohibit marketing between 8 am and 10 pm and during live sports broadcasts. Operators targeting anyone under 21 would face stiffer penalties and violations of the new rules could trigger fines of up to $25,000.
Notably, the final bill dropped two earlier provisions that drew heavy industry pushback. A ban on player prop bets was removed after legislators raised concerns about projected tax revenue losses. A restriction on advertising during peak television hours was also stripped before passage.
One provision added late in the process benefits high-volume bettors by preventing sportsbooks from restricting accounts except in cases involving suspicious activity or responsible gambling triggers.