SB26-163 Colorado Gaming and Sports Betting Regulation
Summary
Colorado Senate Bill 26-163 proposes to transfer the Colorado racing commission's authorities to the Colorado limited gaming control commission and transfer division of racing events activities to the division of gaming. The bill adds two new members to the commission including one public member and one with racing industry experience. It expands the voluntary self-exclusion program to include sports betting and authorizes division investigators to inspect premises suspected of conducting unlicensed gaming or sports betting.
“The bill 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.”
About this source
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What changed
The bill proposes to eliminate the Colorado racing commission and division of racing events within the department of revenue, transferring their authorities to the existing Colorado limited gaming control commission and division of gaming respectively. It expands commission membership by two members and broadens the scope of licensing duties the commission may delegate to the division.
Affected parties including gaming operators, sports betting operators, and racing industry participants should monitor this legislation as it would consolidate regulatory oversight under a single body. The expanded self-exclusion program to include sports betting and enhanced inspection authorities for investigators represent significant changes to the regulatory landscape for gambling activities in Colorado.
Hearing
- Date
- 2026-04-27 at 10:00
- Location
- Senate Chamber
Archived snapshot
Apr 25, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SB26-163
Regulation of Gaming & Sports Betting
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Gaming, Lottery, & Racing |
Concerning the regulation of gambling activities in the state, and, in connection therewith, expanding the membership of the Colorado limited gaming control commission, expanding the scope of the licensing duties that the Colorado limited gaming control commission may delegate to the division of gaming, allowing individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from sports betting in the state, and allowing the director of the division of gaming to approve optional wagers and minor modifications for certain table games.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
The bill repeals the Colorado racing commission and the division of racing events within the department of revenue (department). The bill transfers the authorities of the Colorado racing commission to the Colorado limited gaming control commission (commission), and the bill transfers the regulatory activities of the division of racing events to the division of gaming (division).
The bill adds 2 members to the commission: One member who represents the public and one member who:
- Has been engaged in the racing industry for at least 5 years;
- Has been a licensed veterinarian in Colorado for at least 5 years and is currently practicing in Colorado; or
- Has been engaged in business in a management-level capacity for at least 5 years. Under current law, the commission, at its discretion, may delegate only certain licensing duties described under the 'Limited Gaming Act of 1991' (gaming act) to the division. The bill allows the commission to delegate to the division licensing duties that appear elsewhere in the gaming act.
The bill 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 bill expands the program to allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from sports betting in the state.
The bill allows the director of the division to approve optional wagers and minor modifications for commission-approved poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette games.
The bill clarifies the definition of 'race meet' for purposes of the regulation of racing events.
The bill allows the executive director of the department to delegate certain non-rule-making and nonlicensing functions to a designee.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Prime Sponsors
Dylan Roberts
Representative
Lesley Smith
Committees
Senate
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 27
Senate Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage
10:00 AM Senate Chamber
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/24/2026 | Engrossed | |
| 04/15/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/22/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/16/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment D) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment E) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment F) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment G) | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-163, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 8-0. | Vote summary |
| Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF | |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 04/21/2026 | L.008 | SEN Finance |
| 04/21/2026 | L.007 | SEN Finance |
| 04/21/2026 | L.006 | SEN Finance |
| 04/21/2026 | L.003 | SEN Finance |
| 04/21/2026 | L.002 | SEN Finance |
| 04/21/2026 | L.001 | SEN Finance |
- Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.
** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 04/21/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 04/15/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
(None)
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