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SB 163 CO
Became Law

Regulation of Gaming & Sports Betting

CO · session 2026A · Senate · bill

A state bill is a proposed law in a state legislature — separate from the U.S. Congress. Learn more →

Introduced Apr 15, 2026

Latest action (May 29, 2026) Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance

Summary

This bill expands the Colorado division of gaming's authority to handle licensing duties and extends the voluntary self-exclusion program to cover sports betting in addition to traditional gaming. It clarifies definitions related to gaming and authorizes investigators to inspect premises where unlicensed gaming or sports betting is suspected. The bill also modifies the approval process for certain games, transferring some requirements from the gaming commission to the division, and clarifies procedures for fingerprint-based background checks of gaming license applicants.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.

Official abstract

Under current law, the Colorado limited gaming control commission (commission), at its discretion, may delegate only certain licensing duties described under the 'Limited Gaming Act of 1991' (gaming act) to the division of gaming (division). The act allows the commission to delegate to the division licensing duties that appear elsewhere in the gaming act.     The act authorizes investigators of the division and their supervisors to inspect, examine, investigate, hold, or impound any premises in the state where an investigator or supervisor suspects that unlicensed gaming or unlicensed sports betting is conducted.     Under current law, the division is required to operate a program that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gaming activities in the state. The act expands the program to allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from sports betting in the state.     The act clarifies the definition of 'race meet' for purposes of the regulation of racing events. The act also adds other definitions of terms used in laws concerning gaming.     The act states that a designee of the director is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of their duties whose primary authority includes the enforcement of all laws of the state.     Current law prohibits a licensee from offering certain games without acquiring prior approval from the commission. The act changes this requirement so that a licensee must acquire prior approval from the division.     The act clarifies the process by which the commission and the Colorado bureau of investigation conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks of applicants for gaming licenses.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors (2)

7 coauthors / cosponsors

Action history (13)

  1. May 29, 2026 Governor Signed · executive
  2. May 20, 2026 Sent to the Governor · executive
  3. May 20, 2026 Signed by the Speaker of the House · lower
  4. May 20, 2026 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
  5. May 8, 2026 Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass · upper
  6. May 6, 2026 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · lower
  7. May 5, 2026 House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee · lower
  8. May 4, 2026 House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole · lower
  9. Apr 27, 2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance · lower
  10. Apr 27, 2026 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
  11. Apr 24, 2026 Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee · upper
  12. Apr 21, 2026 Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole · upper
  13. Apr 15, 2026 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance · upper
Subjects
Gaming, Lottery, & Racing

Full text

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