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Colorado Set to Start Accepting Sport Bets Even With the Current Casino Shutdown
By Jeff Osienya Mar 24, 2020 IndustryLocals fear that casino closures might thwart the launch of both retail and online sports betting in Colorado. State officials in charge are however confident that the everything will be up and running by May 1st.Right now, in the Centennial State, there are close to 600 confirmed infections of the Coronavirus, and two recorded fatal cases. In a bid to limit the spread of the virus, a string of casinos which were set to become home to future sportsbooks by the end of April have been shut down, following a statewide order.
After Gov. Steve Sisloak ordered the closure of Nevada’s casinos last Tuesday, his mandate reverberated on both sides of the Colorado River, prompting Gov Jared Polis to follow suit in his state. In the face of these unprecedented closures, the agreed gaming launch date of sports betting seems to be at the risk of being pushed forward. Likewise, many are now worried that the induction of online gambling in Colorado is also at the risk of being postponed.
Regulators & Operators Keeping it Together Despite COVOD-19 Spread
In spite of the heavy Coronavirus inspired quarantine in the state, Colorado sports officials are going about their business like it’s just another day. Needless to say, even if they manage to meet their May 1st launch date, betting on sports events would be completely different from what everyone expected when gambling in Colorado was first passed into law.
On Thursday at a web conference, the director of the Colorado Division of Gaming Dan Hartman calmed Colorado residents who were anxious that the launch date might be delayed. He told them not to worry because the launch date was still far off. He also assured them that discussions would take place later while they monitor the casino industry as the coronavirus crisis continues to shutter various parts of the world.
Several Operators Already Have their licenses at Hand
So far, a couple of operators have received their retail sportsbook licenses from the regulator. On top of that three other brands have already been endorsed to kick-start their online and mobile sports betting platforms right from the launch date. Telling from the current trend, more and more licenses will continue being approved by the regulator as they wait for May 1st to commence their operations.
The three online sports betting brands that have already received approvals are PointsBet, Fox Bet and FanDuel. While all the land-based casino locations in the state are more than able to take sports bets, only a handful have received the go-ahead for master vendor licenses. For instance, Twin River Worldwide Holdings signed a partnership deal with both DraftKings and FanDuel for their retail, online and mobile sports betting operations through Premier Entertainment Black Hawk, their affiliated company. Full House Resort, on the other hand, will collaborate with Smarkets, Wynn Resorts and Churchill Downs’ BetAmerica.
As the mandatory shutdown continues to take effect, many of these already-approved casinos have decided to make use of their time wisely and curve out their sports betting lounges. As such, we expect them to be ready for takeoff come May 1st unless things take a different turn.
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