Colorado Lawmakers Push Responsible Gaming Bill Closer to Approval

A Colorado gambling reform bill, SB 26-131, cleared the House by a 50-13 vote this past week, moving the legislation one step closer to becoming law before the legislative session ends Wednesday. The measure includes several responsible gaming provisions. This includes a ban on using credit cards for responsible deposits, restrictions on sportsbook push notifications, stricter deposit limit rules aimed at promoting responsible gaming, and bans on advertising directed at underage viewers. The bill now awaits final legislative action before potentially heading to Gov. Jared Polis for consideration.

Full breakdown of SB 26-131

The latest version of SB26-131 contains several additional regulatory changes tied to online sports betting and gambling advertising in Colorado.

Under the proposal, bettors would be permitted to make up to six deposits during a single 24-hour gaming period, an increase from the current five-deposit limit. While the legislation adjusts the number of permitted transactions, it does not establish a maximum dollar amount that users can deposit. This makes the rule more strict while still giving bettors flexibility, so it’s a happy medium.

The bill would also prevent sportsbooks from sending promotional push notifications intended to encourage additional deposits or wagers through mobile betting platforms. Lawmakers included the restriction as part of a broader effort to reduce aggressive marketing tactics directed at active users.

Advertising restrictions are another major component of the legislation. Sportsbook operators and affiliates would be prohibited from running ads across television, radio, print, cable, and digital media when the expected audience is primarily under 21 years old. However, the language does not apply to large public venues where attendee demographics cannot reasonably be verified.

This is the latest update of the momentum from this bill, after it initially advanced out of the Senate.

If enacted, the law would take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. With the current session scheduled to conclude this week, the measure could become enforceable as early as Aug. 12.

SB 26-131 appears positioned to become law

With the bill now having cleared both chambers of the legislature and the session nearing its conclusion, SB 26-131 appears to have a strong path toward reaching Gov. Polis for final approval.

The proposal aligns with a broader nationwide push toward expanding responsible gaming protections in regulated betting markets. Over the past several years, lawmakers and regulators across the United States have increasingly focused on this issue. This includes limiting aggressive sportsbook advertising practices, strengthening consumer safeguards, and addressing concerns tied to problem gambling behavior.

Many of the provisions included in SB 26-131 directly target those concerns.

The bill’s overwhelming support in the House also suggests there is significant bipartisan momentum behind responsible gaming initiatives in Colorado. Unless major objections emerge during the final legislative steps, the measure appears well-positioned to receive the governor’s signature.

It would become one of the more comprehensive responsible gaming laws currently on the books in the U.S. sports betting market. If enacted, we could see other states follow Colorado’s example.

With states looking to address the growing issue of problem gambling, Colorado could set a precedent here.