The Centennial State has become the latest US region to legalise sports wagering, becoming the 18th jurisdiction to do so at the start of the month following analysts projections of $6bn in bets and $400m in gross operator revenue upon maturity.

Boasting approaching 40 casino properties, regulators made the activity legal on May 1, 2020, after votes approved the legalisation of sports betting in November of last year.

DraftKings has broadened its partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings to secure its entry into the region, with a sportsbook entity to debut at Mardi Gras Casino in Blackhawk.

This will become the firm’s seventh retail location across the country, with locations in Iowa (Wild Rose – three locations), Mississippi (Scarlet Pearl), New Jersey (Resorts) and New York (del Lago).

“We are thrilled to introduce Colorado’s passionate sports fans to DraftKings Sportsbook, the nation’s favourite mobile and online sports betting platform,” said Matt Kalish, co-founder and president, DraftKings North America

“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.”

Roar Digital, the joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings, secured its entry via an exclusive primary skin agreement with the Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino. The agreement allows Roar Digital to offer online sports wagering throughout the state of Colorado under the BetMGM brand.

“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 U.S. sports.”

Further entrants into the region have seen Rush Street Interactive, through partnership with JP McGill’s Hotel & Casino, located in Cripple Creek, launch BetRivers.com, with Gambling.com also approved to provide sports betting services.