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- A new poll shows Colorado voters are strongly opposed to legalizing internet casino gambling.
- The survey found opposition grew after respondents were given definitions and details about online slots and table games.
The National Association Against iGaming released a January poll of 801 likely Colorado general election voters showing broad resistance to legal online casinos.
Initial questioning found 58% opposed and 23% unfamiliar with the concept; after respondents received definitions and information about online casino games, opposition rose to 78%.The survey – conducted by Co/efficient via text message and live interviews – has a margin of error of ±3.45%.
Oliver Barie, the association’s government relations director, called Colorado “a poster child for opposition,” noting it registered the highest resistance in the group’s polling. The report also detailed voter concerns: 50% cited addiction, 43% worried about debt, and 30% flagged youth access.
The poll ran alongside questions about a Colorado Lottery expansion that would permit online ticket sales and credit card purchases. Seventy percent opposed 18-year-olds buying tickets online and 76% opposed credit card use for lottery purchases.
Results show uphill climb to legalize online casinos
The poll complicates efforts to expand online casino offerings. Casinos oppose online casinos partly because studies cited by the association suggest it can cannibalize brick-and-mortar revenue. Barie referenced an estimated 16% hit to in-person casino receipts, which would in turn affect local economies that depend on gaming tourism.
From a player perspective, the strong concerns about responsible gambling, addiction, debt, and youth access signal potential support for stricter protections if any legalization moves forward, and could shape policy around age verification, deposit limits, and payment rules.
The Colorado Lottery’s plan to sell tickets online and accept credit cards – currently prohibited in the –state – faces skepticism from voters, a factor regulators and lawmakers must weigh. Operators looking to enter or expand in Colorado should expect heightened regulatory scrutiny and organized opposition from community and casino stakeholders.
Based on reporting by Noelle Phillips for The Denver Post.
