ColoradoSB26-1632026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Regulation of Gaming & Sports Betting

Sponsored By: Dylan Roberts (Democratic), Lesley Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Gaming, Lottery, & Racing

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Some track workers lose employee status

People serving more than one employer at a race meet or horse track are excluded from the state's workers’ compensation definition of employee. This narrows access to protections tied to employee status under those laws. The exclusion does not apply broadly to all state employment laws.

Sports bettors can request voluntary exclusion

You can ask Colorado to exclude you from sports betting through its voluntary self-exclusion program. The Division of Gaming must accept requests in writing, electronically, or by phone. Your identifying information is confidential and cannot be released under the Colorado Open Records Act.

Gaming investigators gain stronger enforcement powers

Gaming investigators and supervisors can inspect, examine, investigate, hold, or impound premises anywhere in Colorado when they suspect unlicensed gambling. This authority covers both unlicensed gaming and sports betting. The Division of Gaming director's designee has peace-officer status while carrying out the director's duties. The designee can enforce Colorado laws within that role.

Inactive tracks gain a reopening path

A Class A track with no race meet in the past three years can operate as a simulcast facility. The commission must approve both its simulcasting application and race dates for a meet within the following 12 months. Both applications must provide for a purse fund that follows state racing law and commission rules.

Racing workers face job-specific license requirements

Listed leadership and specialist jobs at licensed racing businesses require key occupational licenses, including managers, veterinarians, racing officials, and betting-system operators. Listed short-term jobs require registration licenses lasting no more than 90 days, including announcers, concession workers, medical staff, and technicians. Other regulated roles require support licenses when neither category applies, including jockeys, horse owners, trainers, and security guards. Key and support license applicants must pay for fingerprint-based state and national criminal history checks. The law does not state license fee amounts in these provisions.

Broader licensing rules for racing businesses

People and businesses operating or supporting commercial racing in Colorado must obtain a business license. The law creates major and minor business-license categories. Applicants include people applying or renewing, plus business owners, officers, directors, and managers applying for business licenses. Business owners include people holding at least 5% ownership in a business-license applicant. Employees, agents, and representatives of covered racing license or registration holders also count as licensees under applicable rules.

Gaming operators face broader rules and approvals

Gaming licensees need commission approval before offering poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, similar games, or variations. Commission rules can allow field trials of new games or technology without that prior approval. The law also includes specified gaming, retail gaming, and online and other sports-betting operators as licensees under Article 33. Those operators are covered by that article's rules for licensees.

Track oversight covers time around racing

A race meet covers the continuous period of full oversight by the Division of Racing Events, not just live racing. The premeet period starts when track premises first become available or are used for covered horse activities or inspections. The post-meet period lasts seven calendar days, counting the year's final licensed live-racing day. Tracks remain subject to full racing oversight throughout this period.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 31

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 29 • No: 5

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 45 • No: 19

House vote • 5/4/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-163, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 30 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/21/2026