Fact Checked by 
Online poker in Colorado remains unregulated. Despite this, you can play various games, enter tournaments, claim rakeback, and earn cash prizes. Our recommended sites feature Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and other titles.
In this guide, we outline the legal situation surrounding online poker in the Centennial state. You will also learn about poker software, bonuses, and how to get started.
-
- Can you play online poker in Colorado using a VPN to access an offshore poker site?
- Is it possible to play for real money at online poker sites in Colorado?
- How do you play poker online?
- Who is the regulator of online poker in Colorado?
- Which Colorado poker pros play online poker?
- How can I tell if an online poker site is trustworthy?
- What is the best poker site to play online poker in Colorado?
- Show Full Guide
-
- Can you play online poker in Colorado using a VPN to access an offshore poker site?
- Is it possible to play for real money at online poker sites in Colorado?
- How do you play poker online?
- Who is the regulator of online poker in Colorado?
- Which Colorado poker pros play online poker?
- How can I tell if an online poker site is trustworthy?
- What is the best poker site to play online poker in Colorado?
Is Online Poker Legal in Colorado?
No. State-regulated online poker is currently illegal in Colorado. There are no Colorado-licensed poker rooms to speak of. However, you are able to safely sign up and play poker for real money on offshore sites. This is because they are licensed outside of the country.
You must consider which gambling authority licenses a poker site before creating an account. Reputable authorities are found in Curacao, Anjouan, and selected other jurisdictions. We have ensured that our recommended poker sites are completely safe and fair. The best online poker sites in Colorado feature a host of game types and bonuses.
Colorado Poker Laws: When Will Colorado Regulate Online Poker?
To date, Colorado has not followed in the footsteps of many other US states by regulating online gambling. This includes online casinos and poker rooms. Many thought it was a sure thing after the state legalized recreational marijuana back in 2012.
All attempts to regulate the industry have so far been unsuccessful. It has now been a number of years since the last formal bill was put forward. Sports betting was legalized in 2020, following the passing of Proposition DD a year earlier. Legislative sessions since then have passed without any bills regarding online poker being raised.
Regulations and Laws for Poker in Colorado
Regulated online poker was last featured in the bill SB 13-173. The bill requested a review of online gambling in Colorado and discussed the potential financial benefits. This bill was dismissed in 2014 after failing to get to the voting stage.
Comparison of CO Poker Sites
Despite the fact that they all offer online poker in some form or another, not all Colorado poker sites are exactly the same. Each one will differ when it comes to poker rake percentage, the events they offer, and the poker software they use.
This is why you should always take the time to consider everything from whether you can maximize your earnings with rakeback to site traffic before deciding whether or not a certain CO poker site is the perfect fit for you.
| Online Poker Room | Poker Rake % | Poker Software | Rakeback | Multi Table Events | Sit and Go Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 5% | Proprietary | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline | 5.56% | Chico Network | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BC.Game | 36% | BC.Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ignition | 5% – 10% | PaiWangLuo Network | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACR | 27% | America’s Cardroom | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Black Chip | 27% | Horizon Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ya Poker | 1% – 4.5% | Winning Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Top 5 Colorado Online Poker Sites Reviewed
Our team of experts spent several hours exploring the best Colorado online poker sites. This way, we can ensure that we list only the top options specifically for players in this state. Below, you’ll find more information about our top 5, including where we believe they stand out from the crowd and where they could improve.
- Poker Network: Proprietary
- Freerolls: Yes
- Rakeback: Yes
CoinPoker is our pick as the best CO poker room. Here, you’ll find six and four table iterations of Pot-Limit Omaha, alongside 5-card pot-limit Omaha, which has a minimum ante of just $0.02. At the other end of the spectrum is CoinPoker’s No-limit Texas Hold ‘em variations, one of which triggered the biggest-ever online poker payout of $7.75 million in February 2022.
If you play selected tournaments at CoinPoker (such as the ‘CP Bounty Challenge’ or Sunday Specials), you can unlock a rakeback of up to 33%. However, this is also dependent on you holding the site’s native CHP crypto token. You don’t have to bet with this, but you cannot qualify for the rakeback offer if you don’t hold at least 50% of the payable rake in CHP.
The welcome bonus offers a 150% deposit match, with up to $2,000 unlockable as real cash once you generate enough rake through real-money play. The bonus is released in 10% chunks for every 0.2x in rake of the bonus amount. You can deposit using seven cryptocurrencies (USDT, USDC, ETH, BTC, MATIC, BNB, and CHP) and withdraw USDT via three supported networks: Ethereum, Polygon, and Tron.
What we like
- 100% decentralized
- Rakeback of up to 33% on selected tournaments
- Free Buy-ins offering competitive guaranteed minimums
- Generous progressive bounty and ‘Sunday Special’ tournaments
- Allows USDT TRC20 (Tron network) withdrawals
What we dislike
- Download required for desktop players
- Poker Network: Chico Network
- Freerolls: Yes
Unlike CoinPoker, the BetOnline poker room relies on the Chico Network for its software. This unlocks popular iterations of No Limit Hold ’em, Omaha 5, and Omaha 6 formats, which are characterized by flexible bet limits. You can also access ‘Boost’ games here, which prove popular among NLHE and PLO players.
There’s an unusual rakeback structure at BetOnline. This is largely tailored to high rollers, particularly those who play weekly tournaments. The precise rakeback available depends on the frequency with which you wager and your total spend. Currently, the top rake amount is capped at $1,925, with this unlocking the most rewarding prizes.
What we like
- The Sunday Major ‘Main Event’ offers a guaranteed minimum of $150k
- Bet between $0.05 and $5 on cash versions of Omaha 5 and Omaha 6
- Top rakeback payout of up to $1,925
- Bad Beat jackpot games
What we dislike
- You can only bet using a few cryptocurrencies
- Poker Network: BC Poker
- Freerolls: Yes
Featuring exclusive poker games from an in-house provider, BC.Game is an award-winning online casino. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Short Deck variants can be enjoyed on desktop and mobile. Colorado poker tournaments are held daily, with entry fees for beginners and high rollers.
Rakeback at BC.Game can reach 36%, while you can insure poker bets during risky situations. Regular loyalty rewards are awarded if you consistently deposit. Games and features can be accessed through the BC.Game app, available on iOS and Android.
Crypto payments are processed quickly and safely. Winnings from poker games can be withdrawn instantly, with no fees. Take advantage of multi-table tournaments, private clubs, and provably-fair technology at BC.Game.
What we like
- Short deck poker titles
- Exclusive poker games
- Regular multi-table tournaments
- Create custom poker rooms with friends
What we dislike
- Smaller prize pools for poker tournaments
- Poker Network: Pai Wang Luo Network
- Freerolls: Yes
There’s a great deal to recommend Ignition’s poker room, including its ‘Zone’ poker hub. This unlocks immersive and exclusive cash games, including No Limit Hold ’em formats that allow an ante of up to $10. Fixed limit Texas Hold’em games let you wager up to $80 per turn. There’s also an unusually large number of cash games available for casual players.
Now for the bad news. There’s no formal rakeback offer here, which will be a deterrent for high-stakes players. However, you can at least qualify for a lucrative welcome bonus as a new player.
You’ll enjoy a very different tournament experience at Ignition. In fact, so-called ‘Sit and Go’ tournaments dominate the library here, which feature a single table and must be contested by a fixed number of players.
What we like
- Anonymous tables
- Access soft games featuring less skilled players
- Welcome package worth up to $3,000 for crypto bettors
- Sit and Go tournaments featuring single tables and high payouts
What we dislike
- There’s no official rakeback promotion available
- Poker Network: America’s Cardroom
- Freerolls: Yes
Poker software from America’s Cardroom can be downloaded on desktop and mobile at ACR. Unlock multiple poker variants, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. This site caters to different poker strategies and budgets. You can find tournaments for beginners, as well as those with a prize pool of millions of dollars.
Fixed 27% rakeback is offered. Higher hand rate pay, VIP rewards, and ongoing promotions are also available. This includes a 100% welcome bonus worth $2,000. ACR is home to many modern features.
The list includes blitz poker, double or nothing, auto top-up, and freerolls. Founded in 2001, ACR is a respected poker room. Payments are made safely through Bitcoin and credit cards.
What we like
- Bitcoin is accepted
- No bots, only real players
- Busy tournament schedule
- Downloadable poker software on all devices
What we dislike
- The welcome bonus is released in $1 increments
Online Poker Tournaments in Colorado
One of the most exciting parts about joining the best poker rooms in CO is being able to access a range of poker tournaments in Colorado. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy competing from the comfort of your own home and at local land-based poker rooms. Next, we’ll take a look at a few examples of popular poker tournaments in CO that you can look forward to.
Satellite Tournaments
You’ll find Satellite tournaments at each of our offshore poker rooms, especially Ya Poker through Venom Blitz Steps. This structure lets you buy in as high as $109 to win $290 tickets, or start for $0.11 and climb.
You advance by earning 5,000 chips, winning multiple tickets, and qualifying quickly for Venom events without long waits or final tables at any level.
Rebuy Tournaments
Rebuy tournaments are also readily available in Colorado. This structure lets you regularly rebuy chips throughout, affording you more chances to win when compared with alternative formats.
BetOnline is home to the biggest range of re-buy tournaments, with its ‘Rebuy Frenzy Series’ offering access to unlimited chips and an extended late registration period.
Progressive Bounty Tournaments
So-called “progressive bounty” tournaments enable you to bank cash prizes at regular intervals by knocking out rival players.
The best example is Juicy Stakes’ ‘Sunday Myriad’ tournament, which also pledges a guaranteed minimum prize of $10,000 for the overall winner. You can also access a deep stack and competitive buy-ins for this type of tournament.
Poker Software Used at Online Poker Sites in Colorado
Considering the software used by Colorado poker sites is an essential part of finding the best poker room for you. Not every site will use the same providers, which means that the games you’ll have access to could differ from site to site. Let’s take a look at who our top sites have teamed up with and what you can look forward to at each.
| Poker Room | Poker Game Provider/s | Games Provided |
|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | Proprietary | Texas Hold ‘em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Pot Limit Omaha |
| BetOnline | Chico Network | No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 5, Omaha 6, Boost Cash Games |
| BC.Game | BC Poker | No-Limit Hold ’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo |
| Ignition | PaiWangLuo Network | No Limit Texas Hold em, Pot Limit Omaha, PLO |
| ACR | America’s Cardroom | No Limit Texas Hold’ em, Pot Limit Omaha, PLO |
| Black Chip | Horizon Poker Network | No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Texas Hold ‘em, Pot-Limit Omaha, NLH, PLO |
| Ya Poker | Winning Poker Network | No-Limit Hold ’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Fixed Limit Hold’em, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo |
How to Play Online Poker in Colorado: A CO Poker Site Sign-Up Guide
Now that we've explored the best poker tournaments in Colorado, it’s time to kickstart your betting experience! This starts when you register with a licensed offshore CO poker room, with this process largely unchanged from one site to the next. Here’s our step-by-step guide to opening a new account to start playing online poker in Colorado!
Step 1 - Register an Account
Firstly, find the ‘Register’ or ‘Signup’ button on the homepage of your chosen site. On our recommended CoinPoker site, this is located in the top right-hand corner of the lobby.
Step 2 - Enter Your Email and Username
You’ll then move to a secure screen, through which you can enter a verifiable email and unique username. You’ll also have to provide a password to secure your account.
Step 3 - Verify Your Email & Deposit
The poker room will then send a verification message to the email address provided. Click on the link included in this to verify your information. Enter the cashier page and deposit funds to your account.
Step 4 - Start Playing
Now that you have a funded account, it is time to start playing poker. Browse available games and set your stake.
Top 3 Land-Based Poker Rooms in Colorado
We have talked about Colorado online casinos and poker rooms, but If you’re interested in offline Colorado poker, there are several land-based rooms in which you can play. There are no Denver poker rooms, but Black Hawk is close by, and here’s our pick of the top three in the state!
Bonuses on Offer at Online Poker Sites in Colorado
Online poker players in CO have so much more to look forward to at online sites compared to land-based poker rooms. Not only do you have access to a variety of different tournaments and have the opportunity to compete against players you may never have been able to before, but these sites also offer generous rewards. Below, we take a closer look at a few of the most common bonuses you can expect to find as an online poker player in Colorado.
- Welcome Bonus – Before you start placing bets at Colorado poker sites for real money, take the time to check out the site’s promotions page to find out if you qualify for a welcome bonus. These are offered only to those who have yet to make a deposit at the site, and usually reward players with bonuses like a deposit match or free chips.
- Rakeback Bonus – You can earn a proportion of the rake taken by poker rooms. The percentage varies from 5% to 36%. Ongoing promotions and VIP rewards can take the rakeback percentage even higher.
- Bad Beat Jackpots – Trigger a bad beat jackpot when your hand is beaten by an even better one. You need at least three players, with there also being the potential to trigger 2.5% rakeback.
- Weekly Boost Leaderboards – Compete against other players from around the world to sit at the top of the leaderboard. Cash prizes, tournament entry, and other rewards are up for grabs.
- Freerolls – Play games or enter tournaments without spending a dime. There are many ways to earn freerolls, which differ between poker rooms.
Compare Bonuses at Colorado’s Online Poker Rooms
Almost all online poker rooms in CO will have a reward available to new members. However, just because a site offers a welcome bonus doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth claiming.
This is why we always recommend taking into account points such as the minimum deposit, bonus expiry, and of course, the rollover requirements. To show you exactly what you can expect from the offers available at our recommended sites, we’ve provided more details below.
| Online Casino | Bonus | Rollover | Minimum Deposit | Bonus expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 2x the bonus value in rake generated | $10 | 30 days |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $1000 | $5 released for every $50 earned in rake | $50 | 30 day |
| BC.Game | 100% bonus + 400 free spins | 35x | $10 | 7 days |
| Ignition | 150% up to $1500 | N/A | $10 | 30 days |
| ACR | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned | $25 | 60 days |
| Black Chip | 100% bonus up to $2,000 | $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned | $10 | 60 days |
| Ya Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | $1 increments for every 27.5 points earned | $25 | 60 days |
Best Poker Games in Colorado
As you’re probably aware, there are many types of poker available online. However, most cash games and tournaments are based on classic formats such as Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha. Five and seven-card games are also widely available. Here’s a summary of the best poker games in Colorado!
Nikita JonesCasino & Betting Editor
Online Poker in Other States
If you enjoyed this poker guide, feel free to check out a few others we’ve put together for poker players right here on ReadWrite.
How We Rate Poker Sites
Final Thoughts
Online poker for real money in Colorado remains a grey area. However, you can utilize the offshore poker rooms on this page to play safely and fairly. With a growing range of games, tournaments, and bonuses, beginners and professionals are well catered to.
CoinPoker is our top recommendation. Here, apps are available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. You can claim up to 33% rakeback, enter daily tournaments, and take advantage of instant payouts.
June Promo: 150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000
- Instant deposits & withdrawals
- Low and high-stakes tables are always available
- No KYC process, decentralized blockchain poker
Responsible Gambling
While poker may be a game of skill, success is still largely dependent on the random hands that you’re dealt during games. So, the risk of loss is omnipresent, and it’s crucial that you only ever bet an amount that you can afford to lose and practice responsible gambling.
As a CO resident, there are also local resources that you can call on, which will offer practical help and tools to suit your needs!
