Colorado’s Gambling Expansion Is Paying Off — But at a Growing Cost

3 hours ago 0

A view of a modern casino exterior, representing the physical and economic growth of Colorado's gaming sector.

Colorado’s aggressive expansion of legal gambling has delivered on its financial promises, but the social costs are becoming increasingly visible.

Since voters approved legal sports betting in 2020, the state has moved far beyond its “limited gaming” roots, with casino tax revenues now sitting roughly 33% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The financial windfall has been significant, funding vital water conservation projects, infrastructure, and community colleges.

However, this success has coincided with a normalization of betting that is alarming addiction counselors. Calls to the state’s gambling hotline have risen, particularly among young men who are inundated with betting ads embedded in sports broadcasts and social media.

Accessibility and Addiction

The shift from destination-based gambling in mountain towns to 24/7 mobile access has fundamentally changed the landscape.

With betting apps removing the friction of travel, losses can mount faster than ever. While Colorado lawmakers celebrate the legal gambling revenue that exceeded expectations, advocacy groups warn that the state has yet to fully reckon with the human cost of this rapid normalization.

Dimitri Dimitrov Chief Content Officer

Dimitri is an iGaming expert with nearly a decade of experience and a knack for crafting content that speaks directly to the iGaming crowd. He understands affiliate marketing, player psychology, and search algorithms, which enables him to write engaging, data-driven articles.