Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020, opening up a new world of wagering opportunities for residents.
Major League Soccer (MLS) stands out as one of the many leagues available to bettors in the Centennial State. With a long history in American soccer and an ever-growing popularity, MLS provides fantastic betting value for fans and casual punters alike.
This guide will breakdown everything you need to know about betting on MLS in Colorado, from the history, MLS teams based there, and some of the best sportsbooks to try.
Sports Betting History and Rules
The earliest form of legal betting in the state came in 1933, when pari-mutuel horse racing betting was legalized. In the 1990s, limited-stakes gambling in the historic mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. This included casino games like poker and blackjack but not sports betting.
Then in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to legalize sports betting at their discretion. This is when conversations about legalization first started in Colorado.
The gambling industry were keenly watching Colorado, as success here in a Western state, which are typically more wary of sports betting, would be a good indication for the future.
In April of 2019, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 19-1327, a bill to legalize sports betting pending voter approval. In November of the same year the proposition was put to the voters, and narrowly passed with a 50.8% majority. The first bets could be taken from May 1st 2020.
This made Colorado the 18th US state to legalize sports betting, although high school sports were not included.
They imposed just a 10% tax on profits for betting companies, with plans to use the income to fund the Colorado Water Plan. This aims to improve irrigation, water storage, and other climate change projects.
To bet on MLS in The Centennial State, bettors need to be at least 21 years old, but do not need to be state residents. Being on Coloradan soil is enough. This goes for betting in person and via online betting sites.
Top Sportsbooks for MLS Odds
When MLS kicks off its new campaign every spring, you’ll have no shortage of sportsbooks to consider for wagering purposes.
Most casinos in the state offer sports betting offices, but the majority of bettors will be using online sportsbooks – and there are more than 20 to choose from.
Here are three of our top-ranked sportsbooks when it comes to Major League Soccer in Colorado:
1. DraftKings
As one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Colorado, DraftKings sets the standard for MLS betting. Their soccer hub includes internationally-focused options like Asian handicaps plus dynamic live wagering offered in-game. Ongoing profit boosts and free-to-play pools make DraftKings a premier destination for seasoned and novice punters alike.
2. FanDuel
FanDuel features competitive odds across all major soccer leagues around the globe. For MLS, they have an intuitive interface allowing customers to swiftly navigate upcoming matches, futures prices, and prop selections. FanDuel also offers regular odds boosts specifically for soccer betting.
3. BetMGM
Rounding out the “big three” legal sportsbooks in Colorado is BetMGM. Their soccer betting catalog contains all the usual moneylines, spreads, and totals. Where they separate themselves is BetMGM’s “Edit My Bet” functionality. After you place a wager, tweak selections as live events unfold. It’s a game-changing dynamic.
While these operators lead the charge, we also suggest exploring niche soccer books like BetRivers and FOX Bet. Shop for the best lines through multiple accounts—an important strategy for maximizing profits.
Beginner Tips & Strategies
While soccer betting presents many nuances, don’t let that intimidate you. Even newcomers can find success with some simple pointers:
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Start slow. Focus on moneylines and handicaps before diving into exotic prop bets. Walk before you try to run.
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Shop for the best odds. Compare multiple sportsbooks using odds comparison sites, then wager where you find the most value.
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Follow the markets. Odds always reflect the latest informational landscape embodied by sharp and public money. Let line movements guide your decisions.
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Trust your instinct. After doing the handicapping work, don’t second-guess your read on matches. Have confidence backing well-supported opinions.
Most importantly, bet responsibly within reasonable limits. Never chase losses and avoid tilting emotionally. Patience and discipline drives long-term betting profits.
Major League Soccer presents fan-friendly, year-round wagering. Whether backing the hometown Rapids to another deep playoff run or sprinkling futures tickets on League MVP candidates, enjoy MLS from a gambling perspective. Just be sure to use licensed sportsbooks for legal, secure soccer betting within state lines.
Which MLS Teams are in Colorado?
Colorado is home to one of the founding members of MLS: Colorado Rapids.
Yet despite being a soccer club with one of the longest history’s in the league, the Rapids have only enjoyed a small amount of success.
Things looked promising to begin with. In the league’s second season the Rapids made it all the way to the playoff finals, but lost out to DC United who were dominant at the time.
The team consistently finished in the top 3 of the Western conference, making it to the semi-finals of the MLS Cup on a number of occasions, before hitting a 3 year streak where they didn’t even qualify.
Then, in 2010, the Colorado Rapids achieved their first and only MLS Cup win. After finishing 5th in their conference and just scraping through the semi-finals on penalties, they beat FC Dallas 2-1 in the final after extra time.
A hard won campaign and not one they would be able to repeat. They did finish top of the conference in 2021, but didn’t make it past the quarter finals in the play offs.
The team are based in Commerce City, where their 18,000 capacity soccer specific stadium was built in 2007. The club is owned by Kroenke Sports, the same holding company behind the English Premier League’s Arsenal FC, although not much has come of the connection.