First sports betting operators go online in Colorado

Colorado became the 18^th US state to regulate sports betting on Friday, with a number of operators going online including BetRivers, BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.

The state’s first legal sports bet was placed Friday at Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers.com by five-time NBA All-Star and NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, who bet $100 on Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“This is huge for the state of Colorado, both the economy and for avid sports fans in the state,” said Billups, the former University of Colorado star. “Betting has become such a big part of the daily sports conversation and this move is a huge step in the right direction for the industry and the sports world.”

After the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission approved a host of licenses last month, BetRivers.com was one of the first operators to launch online through its partnership with Triple Crown Casinos-owned JP McGill’s Hotel & Casino in Cripple Creek.

With limited sports events at the moment due to COVID-19, the site currently offers a range bets on sports including Korean baseball, Taiwanese basketball, Russian ice hockey, Ukrainian and Russian table tennis and English darts, as well as betting on a number of eSports events.

“We are thrilled to debut our BetRivers.com brand in Colorado and offer sports bettors our unique and compelling player experience that our customers in other states already enjoy,” said Rush Street Interactive president Richard Schwartz. “We know sports bettors throughout the state of Colorado are really going to appreciate the ease and convenience of being able to place wagers online from the comfort of their homes.”

JP McGill’s Hotel and Casino CEO Larry Hill added: “Rush Street Interactive has built an outstanding reputation with its top rated online and retail sportsbooks in other states, which was very important to us when choosing them as our partner.

“That success and expertise is critical and when you combine that with their exceptional customer service and commitment to player integrity and transparency, it was the smart decision to partner with them in launching BetRivers.com in Colorado.”

ROAR Digital, the joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings, has launched its BetMGM brand in Colorado following an exclusive primary skin agreement with Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino, another venue owned by Triple Crown Casinos.

“We look forward to offering Colorado sports fans the excitement and ease of betting with BetMGM and working alongside Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino to provide top class betting experiences in the state of Colorado,” said Adam Greenblatt, CEO of ROAR Digital. “With a limited sports schedule currently, it’s the perfect time for new customers to learn how to use our feature-rich sports wagering product, ahead of the return of US sports.”

Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino CEO Larry Hill added: “We are excited to announce this exclusive partnership with ROAR Digital to bring world-class sports wagering to Colorado.”

DraftKings launched its online sportsbook in partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings’ recently acquired Mardi Gras Casino in Blackhawk. DraftKings has now launched its mobile and online sportsbook product in 7 US states.

“We are thrilled to introduce Colorado’s passionate sports fans to DraftKings Sportsbook, the nation’s favorite mobile and online sports betting platform,” said DraftKings North America co-founder and president Matt Kalish. “Boasting a wide array of distinct sports categories and daily free-to-play games, customers across the state will always have a number of year-round, skin-in-the-game opportunities to engage with the premier sports betting experience DraftKings prides itself on.”

DraftKings will launch a new retail sportsbook in the state in the future, adding to its existing retail locations in Iowa (Wild Rose – three locations), Mississippi (Scarlet Pearl), New Jersey (Resorts) and New York (del Lago).

FanDuel also debuted its online sportsbook in the state in partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings’ Golden Gates Casino Black Hawk. Colorado is the 5^th state where FanDuel’s online and mobile platform has been made available.

At launch, the IGT PlaySports-powered FanDuel Sportsbook will offer a daily free to play game called The ANYTHINGBOOK, where customers can test their sports and pop culture knowledge for the opportunity to win daily cash prizes.

“Colorado is home to a passionate group of sports fans and we are incredibly excited to show them why FanDuel is the number one online sportsbook in the country,” said Mike Raffensperger, chief marketing officer of FanDuel Group. “Our free to play ANYTHINGBOOK game is designed to engage fans during this period of limited sporting events and introduce them to FanDuel Sportsbook’s unique features and markets.”

IGT PlaySports technology is currently powering the FanDuel Sportsbook mobile app in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana and now Colorado.

“Colorado represents the ninth US state where IGT and FanDuel Group will team up to deliver leading sports betting entertainment,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital senior vice president.

“IGT’s PlaySports platform has enabled FanDuel Group to rapidly expand its US sports betting footprint across retail and mobile, and to provide players in each state a compelling, reliable user experience across channels.”