A new statewide survey released this week indicates that Colorado voters show limited interest in legalizing online casinos, even as other digital gambling formats continue to expand. According to the poll commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming, roughly 80% of voters oppose allowing online casino gambling through legislation or ballot measure. This opposition was broad, spanning party lines and demographic groups, and intensified after voters were informed about how iGaming functions
Voters also voiced discomfort with recent adjustments made by the Colorado Lottery Commission, including expanded online offerings and credit card use by 18‑year‑olds. Seventy percent opposed the latter change, reflecting a wider concern about young adults gaining easier access to gambling products. These reactions suggest that while Coloradans may tolerate certain regulated betting formats, they are hesitant to extend this permissiveness to full-scale online casino gaming
The survey highlighted that many Coloradans perceive online casino gambling as one of the riskiest forms of wagering. Eighty‑eight percent of respondents agreed that app‑based casino gambling presents a heightened addiction risk due to its 24/7 accessibility. Nearly one‑third of voters reported personally knowing someone they believe has a gambling problem, underscoring how personal experience may be shaping public attitudes.
Additional responses described iGaming as a “stealth tax” on vulnerable groups, with 80% stating that online casinos would disproportionately affect families and individuals who can least afford losses. These concerns mirror national discussions about the social costs of digital gambling, particularly as states debate how much responsibility regulators should assume when overseeing emerging gaming technologies.
Colorado currently permits regulated sports betting, which was approved in 2019 and launched in 2020, and online lottery sales also operate within the state. However, online casinos remain illegal under existing law. While sports betting has been embraced and marketed as a tightly controlled revenue generator, online casino proposals have not gained similar momentum
Even with sports wagering thriving, voters appear to distinguish sharply between betting on sports and engaging in virtual slot machines or table games. The poll suggests that support for online gambling does not increase simply because other forms of digital betting exist. Instead, voters seem to view each expansion separately, weighing the associated risks and social implications before forming opinions.
The findings also revealed that many voters may factor gambling expansion into their decisions during the 2026 election cycle. A majority reported they would be less likely to support a candidate backing online casino legalization. This political sensitivity signals that lawmakers are unlikely to pursue aggressive expansion efforts without clear public support.
Colorado has cultivated a regulated gambling environment built around oversight and gradual change. For now, the sentiment measured in the latest polling indicates that efforts to introduce online casinos face significant obstacles. As discussions around digital gambling continue, policymakers will need to account for both the economic appeal of new revenue streams and the strong reservations many residents hold about expanding iGaming within the state.
