Colorado’s Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said last week the state would not require voter approval to legalize sports betting. She issued her opinion in an 11-age document.
After the U.S. Supreme Court removed the federal ban on sports betting in May, Coffman looked into whether allowing it would require amending the state constitution. Amending the constitution is a cumbersome process that requires passage by a supermajority of both chambers of the legislature and then approval by the voters.
While noting that the state does not need a referendum to legalize sports betting, she added that it is illegal until the state acts. She differentiated sports betting from the lottery, which the constitution addresses, and which does require a public vote to change.
Now that the AG has issued her opinion that opens the door for lawmakers to act, which many of them have said they want to do.
Currently gambling in Colorado is limited to three small towns outside of tribal casinos, something the voters authorized 26 years. The towns are Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek.
The casinos in those towns are lobbying for sports betting to be exclusive to them. They have threatened to challenge Coffman’s interpretation if they are not given a place at the table.
The Colorado Gaming Association said in a statement: . “Attorney General Coffman’s conclusion that horse and dog racing are ‘not materially different’ than professional and collegiate sports betting is factually and, we believe, legally incorrect.”
