Colorado Sports Betting Bill Sponsor Says They Aren't Out to Get Industry
David Genge Published 06/05/2026
A Colorado sports betting bill that will make some dramatic changes to how the industry operates is not designed to punish sports betting sites. That's the opinion of Rep. Stephen Woodrow, one of the bill's co-sponsors. In fact, from the outside, observers are viewing the bill as a double-edged sword.
While on the one hand, its terms are designed to rein in the methods in which sports betting sites can attract new customers, key measures that would've hampered the state's tax cut from sports betting, such as a complete ban on prop betting, were removed in amendments to the bill.
Colorado sports betting bill moves another step closer to passage
Colorado Senate Bill 26-131 (SB 26-131) moved forward this week. Also known as the Colorado responsible gambling and sports betting protections bill, it passed the first House committee stage on Monday. The House Finance Committee voted 9-2 in favor of the bill. It is now under consideration by the House Appropriations Committee.
The bill was passed by the Colorado Senate last week.
SB 26-131 places emphasis on consumer protections in the sports betting industry. It also addresses the issue of problem gambling by introducing initiatives that make it more difficult for a player to increase their betting pace.
These changes include limiting how often a person can deposit into their sports betting account. Players are restricted to no more than five deposits over a rolling 24-hour period.
Marketing tools such as push notifications and promotional messages designed to encourage increased betting would also be restricted. And any advertising of sports betting in areas that would be expected to be populated by underage people would also be prohibited.
State lawmakers have given the original bill a significant haircut
Several amendments since the bill was initially introduced trimmed much of the substance from the original plan. Foremost in the changes was the elimination of a plan to prohibit all prop wagering on sports.
Lawmakers felt that such a cut would prove too costly to the state's bottom line. Last year, prop bets generated $1.6 billion in tax revenue for the coffers of the Colorado government.
Also eliminated from the bill was a proposal to place restrictions on when sportsbooks could advertise on TV.
Critics of the bill are accusing Colorado lawmakers of trying to have their cake and eat it, too. On the one hand, the state is seeking to give off the impression that it is concerned about the negative impacts gambling can have on people. However, they don't want to change the laws to such an extent that it will hurt the bottom line of the state budget.
Colorado's sports betting bill isn't out to get the industry
This double-edged sword approach is also finding critics among those who support the sports betting industry. People on this side of the potential outcome feel as if state lawmakers are out to hinder the industry's chances of long-term success.
One of the co-sponsors of the bill insists that this impression is patently untrue.
“Through stakeholder ... conversations with my co-prime sponsor, we want to be clear that we’re not trying to be antagonistic to the industry,” Rep. Steven Woodrow stated during a hearing. “We understand that voters approved [sports betting].
"Just as a general matter, we appreciate the work that’s been done to reach a deal on this.”
Colorado lawmakers have until May 13 to pass SB 26-131. That's when the state assembly adjourns for the summer.
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