Colorado Bans Credit Card Deposits & Betting Alerts at Sportsbooks
Key Highlights
- Credit cards can no longer be used to fund Colorado sports betting accounts.
- Bettors are limited to six deposits per gaming day under the new law.
- Sportsbooks are banned from sending betting and deposit-related push notifications and text messages.
- The law goes into effect August 12, 2026.
Colorado Expands Protections For Sports Bettors
Colorado sports bettors will soon face new limits on how they fund accounts and interact with sportsbook apps after Governor Jared Polis signed a sweeping responsible gambling bill into law. The legislation bans credit card deposits, limits players to six deposits per gaming day, and prohibits sportsbooks from sending notifications that encourage betting or additional deposits. Lawmakers say the changes are intended to help reduce impulsive gambling and make it easier for players to stay in control of their spending.
The bill comes as sports betting continues to grow across Colorado and the wider United States. Supporters argue that many of the tools commonly used by sportsbooks can encourage excessive gambling, particularly among players already struggling with their betting habits. By adding new safeguards, the state hopes to create a betting environment that prioritizes consumer protection over constant engagement.
Credit Card Ban Targets Gambling With Borrowed Money
One of the biggest changes for Colorado bettors is the elimination of credit card deposits. Once the law takes effect, players will no longer be able to use credit cards to add funds to their sportsbook accounts. Instead, deposits will need to come from available funds through approved payment methods such as debit cards or bank transfers.
Advocates have long pushed for credit card restrictions, arguing that gambling with borrowed money can increase financial harm. The concern is that easy access to credit can make it harder for bettors to recognize losses or stay within their budgets. Colorado joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have moved to separate sports betting from credit-based spending.
New Deposit Limits & Notification Restrictions
The law also places a limit on how frequently bettors can add money to their accounts. Under the new rules, players may make no more than six deposits during a single gaming day. Supporters of the measure say repeated deposits can sometimes be a sign that a bettor is chasing losses or making emotional decisions.
Another major change affects the notifications bettors receive from sportsbook apps. Operators are now prohibited from sending push notifications or text messages that encourage users to place bets or make deposits. Lawmakers and responsible gambling advocates believe reducing these prompts could help players avoid impulsive wagering decisions and take a more deliberate approach to betting.