Now that legal sports betting is also on the table, that audience is expected to soar. Barstool Sportsbook is Players can download the Barstool app from the Apple App Store or get the Android app from the website directly. Benny Ricciardi takes a look at Barstool Sportsbook, their welcome bonuses, sports offered, and more on the Barstool Sportsbook app.
Colorado legalized mobile sports betting with legislation approved by the voters in 2019. Under the law, licensed operators are permitted to launch online platforms and mobile applications to accept wagers from across the state.
Unlike some states, Colorado does not require customers to visit a retail sportsbook in person to register an account. Sports fans may register for accounts remotely and make deposits from anywhere in the nation but must be physically located within Colorado in order to place wagers.
Sportsbook
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Licensed Mobile Betting Apps
The Limited Gaming Control Commission (LGCC) oversees all sports betting in Colorado, including the licensing and monitoring of mobile sportsbooks. Strict regulations and a competent governing body have done much to ensure a high level of quality, giving bettors many solid options to choose from.
Each of the following betting apps is licensed and legal in Colorado.
DraftKings App
DraftKings launched on May 1st, 2020 with mobile apps for Android and iOS. Name recognition relating to its prior daily fantasy operations in Colorado put DraftKings off to a running start after launching full-on sports betting.
An extensive in-play betting menu and live streaming sports video make DraftKings one of the stronger operators in Colorado to date.
- Read more: DraftKings CO
- Download links: DraftKings.com
BetMGM App
The BetMGM mobile app came to Colorado in May 2020 and offers wagering on a long list of US and international sports. iOS and Android users can visit the BetMGM website to sign up for an account and for links to download the official app.
BetMGM is operated as a joint partnership between noted casino operator MGM Resorts International and online gaming behemoth GVC Holdings.
- Read more: BetMGM CO
- Download links: BetMGM.com
PointsBet App
PointsBet is the most unique mobile sportsbook app in Colorado. The PointsBet app offers standard fixed-odds and in-play wagers, but it also offers PointsBetting wagers with variable payouts. In a PointsBetting wager, customers choose an amount to bet per point and wins or loses based on the final score differential.
For example, a PointsBet customer can bet $10 per point on the over in a basketball game to win $10 for every point by which the final score exceeds the projected total. This also works in reverse if the final score falls short of the projected total. Wins and losses can therefore be bigger than the initial stake, but PointsBet provides customizable win/loss limits that permit users to manage risk.
- Read more: PointsBet CO
- Download links: PointsBet.com
Barstool Pizza App
FanDuel App
FanDuel is the other major DFS provider to pivot to sports betting and is now one of the largest online sportsbooks in the USA. To date, FanDuel has maintained a positive reputation among customers as a reliable and trustworthy operator.
Betting options through the FanDuel app cover the full range of US and international sports, in-play betting and live streaming video.
Barstool Sportsbook Promo
- Read more: FanDuel CO
- Download links: FanDuel.com
BetRivers App
BetRivers is the product of Rush Street Gaming, a casino operator headquartered out of Chicago. The BetRivers app has launched in a handful of states so far and despite being operated by one of the smaller operators in the industry, it has proven competitive in every state.
Android users can download the mobile app from the BetRivers website, but development of an iOS app has been slow. iOS users can visit BetRivers.com to place wagers online through a mobile-friendly website.
- Read more: BetRivers CO
- Download links: BetRivers.com
William Hill App
William Hill Sportsbook came to Colorado through a partnership with Caesars Entertainment, parent company of two Black Hawk casinos. The William Hill Colorado app can be downloaded from the App Store on iOS devices or directly from WilliamHill.com on Android devices.
New customers can download the app and register a new account to take advantage of a sizable welcome bonus plus ongoing promos that consistently feature player-friendly terms.
- Read more: William Hill CO
- Download links: WilliamHill.com
SportsBetting.com App
The SportsBetting.com app came to Colorado in September 2020 in partnership with Johnny Nolons Casino. SportsBetting.com CO looks like a regular sportsbook at first glance, but it is chock-full of sharp lines to make it a worthwhile option for bettors who want to pay as little juice as possible. When we compared some of its NFL lines to other sportsbooks, SportsBetting.com offered the best lines in most cases.
- Download links: SportsBetting.com
![Barstool Sportsbook App Android Barstool Sportsbook App Android](https://www.corona-stocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/c50fa80f9a09eeb0f919656818b4578e.jpg)
BetMonarch App
Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk is partnered with the Stadium Technology Group to offer in-person and online betting through the BetMonarch app. The Stadium Technology Group is owned by international gaming giant GVC Holdings but is still headquartered in Las Vegas and providers local customer support to all users.
The BetMonarch app for iOS and Android supports all major types of wagers, discounted lines on certain sports and integrates cleanly into the Monarch Casino rewards program. As customers place wagers with the BetMonarch app, they also earn comps and tier points that can be redeemed online or in-person at Monarch Casino.
- Read more: BetMonarch Sportsbook
- Download links: MonarchBlackHawk.com
SBK App
SBK Sportsbook is operated by Smarkets, which is an exchange betting operator that has been active in Europe since 2008. In Colorado, SBK Sportsbook leverages the power of the Smarkets exchange to extend lower commissions to US customers.
Customers can download the SBK Sportsbook app for iOS in the app store while Android users can visit GetSBK.com to download the app directly.
- Read more: SBK Sportsbook CO
- Download links: GetSBK.com
Circa Sports
Circa Sports out of Nevada also presents itself as a low-commission sportsbook that puts players first. When ColoradoBetting.com compared Circa Sports to SBK and other major operators, Circa Sports had the best odds more often. Sports fans who wager frequently should give Circa Sportsbook a look because less commission makes a noticeable difference over time.
The Circa Sports app can be downloaded for iOS or Android, and desktop customers can visit co.circasports.com to bet online.
- Read more: Circa Sports CO
- Download links: co.circasports.com
Sky Ute Sportsbook App
Sky Ute Sportsbook is operated by USBookmaking in partnership with Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, Colorado. The Sky Ute betting app is available iOS and Android devices with a full range of professional and college sports on offer.
- Read more: Sky Ute Sportsbook
- Download links: SkyUteCasino.com/sportsbook/
theScore Bet Mobile App
theScore Bet is operated by the highly popular sports news and highlights provider, theScore, and is partnered with the parent company of the Lodge and Gilpin casinos. theScore launched its mobile betting app in Colorado in September 2020. Useful features offered by theScore Bet include cross-app functionality between its betting and news apps for easier bet tracking, live odds updates in both apps, the ability to set favorite teams and more.
- Download links: thescore.bet
Betfred App
Betfred launched its mobile app for Colorado bettors in September 2020. Although new to Colorado, Betfred has a long history in the UK and on the international stage as a major sports betting operator – meaning experience is not a problem.
- Read more: Betfred Colorado
- Download links: co.betfred.com
SuperBook App
SuperBook Sportsbook is one of Colorado’s most interesting providers as it is the online betting platform of Las Vegas’ own Westgate Las Vegas Superbook, the most popular and high profile sportsbook in Las Vegas.
SuperBook comes to Colorado backed by a reputation for sharp lines, accepting large wagers, and hosting the annual SuperContest NFL handicapping contest. SuperBook welcomes new users with a generous welcome bonus and offers wagering at co.superbook.com or via mobile apps for iOS/Android.
- Download links: co.superbook.com
Barstool Sportsbook App
Barstool Sportsbook operates the retail sportsbook at Ameristar Casino Black Hawk and will soon offer mobile betting. The Barstool Sportsbook app features a clean interface and frequent promotions that often include opportunities to interact with Barstool Sports personalities.
- Download links: BarstoolSportsbook.com
888Sport App
888 Holdings Inc. plans to launch for Colorado bettors sometime in 2021. According to a company press release, 888Sport is partnered with Colorado Grande Casino for mobile betting. The partnership also extends to online gambling and poker if those are legalized in the future.
- Download links: us.888sport.com
Betsson App
The Betsson Group was established in 1963 and therefore comes to Colorado with no shortage of experience. In Colorado, Betsson Sportsbook is partnered with Dostal Alley Casino for online and mobile betting.
- Read more: Betsson Colorado
iOS and Android Betting Apps in Colorado
iPhone and Android users can make use of mobile gambling apps to wager on the go, but the process for getting started is a bit different for each.
What to Know About Betting on an iPhone or iPad
The App Store does allow mobile betting apps, but only after an extensive vetting process. Most notably, Apple only allows apps that are offered by licensed providers.
The majority of sports betting providers that are licensed in Colorado already offer iPhone and iPad apps. Customers can find those apps by opening the App Store and running a search for the name of their preferred sportsbook operator.
Alternatively, bettors can point their mobile browsers to the website of any licensed sportsbook for a direct link to the official app or to bet online with no download needed.
App Store Guidelines on Sports Betting
App Store guidelines are fairly demanding in terms of what Apple expects of mobile sports betting apps before accepting them into the store. Section 5.3.4 of the App Store policy providers a basic rundown of what is required of mobile betting apps:
Apps that offer real money gaming (e.g. sports betting, poker, casino games, horse racing) or lotteries must have necessary licensing and permissions in the locations where the App is used, must be geo-restricted to those locations, and must be free on the App Store. Illegal gambling aids, including card counters, are not permitted on the App Store. Lottery apps must have consideration, chance, and a prize.
What to Know About Betting on an Android Device
The Google Play Store does not distribute gambling or sports betting apps in the United States, but that does not mean Android users are out of luck.
Most mobile sportsbooks in Colorado offer Android apps via direct download. Customers can point their mobile browsers to the betting site of their choice and tapping the Android download app for simple instructions on getting started.
In most cases, attempting to download the official Android app directly from a sportsbook’s website will prompt a security warning that asks users if they are sure they wish to proceed. Bettors may also need to navigate to their Android settings to permit installations from unknown sources.
Key Mobile Betting Regulations
Colorado sports betting apps are subject to a variety of regulations designed to protect the integrity of sports, ensure responsible gambling, verify the identities of customers and more.
Some of the key regulations that impact the customers of mobile sportsbooks in Colorado are explained below.
Age and Identity Verification
Section 6.11 of CO sports betting regulations states that operators must “make commercially reasonable efforts to confirm” customers are:
- At least 21 years of age
- Are not coaches, athletes, referees and the like who could exert an influence over sporting contests upon which wagers are accepted
- Are not people who are in position to have access to exclusive information on sports events upon which wagers are accepted
Section 7.11 of the regulations reinforce the above rule and further states mobile betting providers must safeguard the account details of patrons, provide problem gambling information to customers and provide easy mechanism for customers to set spending limits or to self-exclude entirely.
Additionally, mobile betting providers are required by law to collect the following information at a minimum from each customer:
- Name and address
- Date of birth
- Social security number or last four digits thereof, or a passport or taxpayer identification number
- E-mail address
- Phone number
Funding of Mobile Betting Accounts in Colorado
Under Colorado law, mobile sports betting operators are permitted to accept deposits through a wide range of methods. Section 7.11, part 5 of the regulations state mobile sportsbooks may accept deposits through the use of:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Cash or cash vouchers at locations approved by the LGCC
- Promotional credits/winnings/adjustments made by the operator
- ACH transfers
- Wire transfers
- “Any other means approved by the Commission”
State law also requires operators to honor withdrawal requests within five business days.
See our banking guide for more information on each of the most popular deposit methods.
Maximum Payout Rules
CO regulations allow operators to enforce maximum payout amounts, which is a common practice in the industry designed to give operators control over risk.
However, Colorado state law provides a unique benefit to customers in that maximum payouts may not be enforced by simply reducing any winning payout that exceeds the operator’s maximum payout rule. Instead, operators are required to limit the original wager such that a winning outcome does not exceed the maximum payable amount.
Section 6.10, part 11 states:
“Maximum payouts; however, such limits shall only be established through limiting the amount wagered and cannot be applied to reduce a winning wager amount…”
Geolocation Requirements
In order to comply with federal laws that prohibit interstate wagering, mobile betting providers are required to know the physical locations of customers at all times and to prevent wagers from being placed from anywhere outside state lines.
Section 7.10 states mobile sportsbooks must use geofence technology to “reasonably detect the physical location of a patron attempting to access the online sports betting system and place a wager; and to monitor and block unauthorized attempts to access the online sports betting system in order to place a wager.”
Mobile operators are also obligated to “dynamically monitor the patron’s location” to prevent customers from placing wagers from outside Colorado.
Customers are permitted to register accounts and make deposits under these regulations but must be located within state lines in order to place wagers.
A Note for Frequent Visitors to Colorado
Sports fans who visit Colorado frequently are welcome to place mobile wagers while within state lines. Colorado law does not require bettors to be residents in order to participate in sports betting. Customers need only be 21 years old and physically present in Colorado at the time any wager is placed.
Regulations adopted by the LGCC even permit customers to sign up for accounts and make deposits from outside Colorado. Anyone planning to visit Colorado can get an early start by downloading a mobile betting app, signing up for an account and making a deposit prior to arriving.
Barstool Sportsbook debuted in Illinois with the launch of retail sportsbooks at Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet, both Penn National Gaming properties.
Now that Barstool Sportsbook is operational in a retail capacity, the launch of mobile betting should follow soon.
With launch day quickly approaching, we present this early Barstool Sportsbook review to introduce the brand to sports bettors in Illinois. This review will discuss what we know so far and will be updated as we learn more and again after mobile betting goes live.
Readers may also visit BarstoolSports.com/barstool-sportsbook in the meantime to register for e-mail updates and to be notified when mobile betting goes live.
The Barstool Sportsbook Rundown
- Established: 2020
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android apps coming soon
- Website: To be announced
- Sports Covered: Will likely cover pro and college sports across the US and abroad
- Welcome Bonus: To be announced
- License Status: Approved (Penn Sports Interactive, LLC)
About Barstool Sportsbook
The Barstool Sportsbook brand comes to Illinois courtesy of a partnership between casino operator Penn National Gaming and sports media outlet Barstool Sports.
For those unfamiliar with Barstool Sports, the company serves as one of the nation’s major sports betting news, commentary and podcasting operations. Barstool Sports was established in 2003 by Dave Portnoy, who remains the outspoken and occasionally controversial public face of the company to this day.
In January 2020, Penn National Gaming acquired a 36% interest in Barstool Sports for $163 million in cash and stock as a part of a deal that would see Barstool Sports serve as Penn National’s official gaming provider.
At a glance, the partnership agreement appears to be a smart fit for both operators.
Barstool Sports brings with it a massive and dedicated userbase as a sports media outlet that logs upwards of 66 million unique visitors per month. With a large customer database, Barstool Sportsbook can hit the ground running and compete against major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel that also have large userbases.
Meanwhile, Penn National Gaming provides market access as the parent company of properties in 19 states across the country. In Illinois, that means Barstool Sportsbook may operate off a sports betting license held by one of Penn National’s locations rather than opt for a more expensive online-only license.
Company officials have also hinted at offering more than just a simple sportsbook where customers go to log on, place bets and log off. Rather, Barstool Sportsbook intends to offer a more social experience with Barstool personalities interacting with customers, live events and more.
A Penn National presentation from early 2020 offers a preview of the partnership’s approach to the sports betting and gaming business:
- Penn National will leverage Barstool Sports’ brand name to promote its retail sportsbooks, mobile betting and online casino products
- Barstool Sportsbook provides Penn National a “complementary” audience that already has “a strong affinity for sports and gaming”
- Key Barstool Sports talent will be “highly incentivized” to grow Penn National’s business and minimize new customer acquisition costs
- Barstool will make use of its “key talent, live events and tailored content” to promote Penn National casinos
- Penn National will create a custom “omni-channel sports betting and casino ecosystem for retail and digital customers across the U.S.”
When Will Barstool Sportsbook Illinois Launch?
Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini told FOX Business in an interview this summer that the company aims to launch mobile betting in September.
The proposed launch date corresponds with the anticipated start of the NFL season, even in a year in which many things are still uncertain due to COVID-19 concerns.
Pennsylvania appears to be first on the list according to comments from Penn National and Barstool Sports insiders. Even if that holds true, Illinois will not be far behind as the company appear to have nearly everything in place to go live once approved by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
Barstool Sportsbook Bonus
Barstool Sportsbook will likely offer a welcome bonus of some sort to all new customers as it will face no shortage of competition in Illinois.
What form that bonus will take remains to be seen, but common types of welcome offers seen in the industry include:
- A deposit match bonus: This would offer new customers an amount of cash or credit corresponding to the size of their first deposit. For example, the Barstool Sportsbook bonus could choose to offer a 100% up to $500 bonus that would effectively double each new user’s first deposit.
- Risk free bet offer: A risk-free bet offer would promise to refund each customer’s first wager with cash or site credit if it loses, up to a certain amount.
- No-deposit bonus: No-deposit bonuses tend to be smaller but offered in addition to a standard deposit bonus. As an example, Barstool Sports could opt to give all new users $10 free to place a bet just for registering an account.
Mobile App Review
Barstool Sportsbook will offer mobile betting from day one, but the company has issued few details on how the app will look and function. It is safe to bet apps will be provided for iOS and Android devices alike, along with a website for desktop betting.
If the existing Barstool Bets app is any preview of what’s to come, the Barstool Sportsbook app will be sleek, functional and easy to use. Details are lacking at the moment, but eventually the Barstool Sportsbook app is likely to offer standard wagering, in-game betting and certain social features to connect bettors with Barstool Sports personalities, content and highlights.
However, Penn Sports says it has an in-house product development for the Barstool Sports app. This means the end product will not be a simple reskin of Barstool Bets but rather an entirely new betting app built from the ground up.
Barstool Bets App
The Barstool Bets app functions as the company’s sports betting news and gambling entertainment arm
Users can download the Barstool Bets app to follow BSS personalities, read betting previews, listen to podcasts and participate in free-to-play contests for a chance to win real money. In states where online sports betting isn’t yet legal, Barstool Bets keeps fans involved and up to date legally.
Barstool Bets contests basically function as handicapping competitions but free to enter. For example, players might enter a contest covering a single NFL game and are given 1,000 points to place in-game “wagers” throughout the game. The contestants with largest points balances at the end earn real payouts.
Betting Markets and Types of Wagers
Barstool Sportsbook has not revealed the full extent of sports it will cover or wagering options it will provide, but we can reasonably guess it will feature a full menu of college and professional sports plus in-game wagering.
Regulations adopted by the IGB allow operators to accept wagers on most types of sports events. The most notable restrictions are that sportsbooks may not take bets on minor league sports or events involving Illinois colleges.
Barstool Sportsbook Deposit Methods
Which deposit methods Barstool Sportsbook will accept is also unknown at this early stage. However, Barstool Sportsbook customers will likely have a few options to choose from. Illinois regulations allow licensed operators to accept deposits via:
- Credit and debit cards: Visa and Mastercard will likely be accepted; Discover is a maybe
- Cash at the cage: Licensed betting sites are permitted to accept in-person deposits at the casino with which they are partnered
- Reloadable prepaid cards: Play+ is the most popular reloadable card used by the industry. It allows customers to fund their accounts online instantly similar to an e-wallet but also includes physical card that may be used wherever Discover is accepted. Customers may deposit online the same day they sign up and will receive the actual card in the mail later.
- Online banking: Transfer funds directly from a bank account to one’s betting account – free and instant.
Best Illinois Sportsbooks
- BetRivers IL
- PointsBet IL
- DraftKings Sportsbook