Colorado to Limit Daily Deposits on Sports Betting Apps — A First-in-the-Nation Move That Could Spread

Colorado moved to become the first state to limit the number of times a bettor can make a daily deposit on a sports betting app, after lawmakers sent Senate Bill 131 to Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The bill also bans push notifications from gambling apps that solicit bets or deposits — the first law of its kind in the country — and prohibits credit card deposits on all gambling platforms in the state. Five of Colorado’s 13 licensed sportsbooks already voluntarily ban credit card deposits.

The legislation is a direct response to concerns from public health advocates and legislators who argue that the design of sports betting apps makes it too easy for bettors to chase losses by adding funds rapidly during a bad run. By creating mandatory daily deposit limits, Colorado would require sportsbooks to build friction into the funding process for the first time under law rather than as a voluntary opt-in feature.

How This Affects Colorado Bettors Right Now

Until Polis signs SB 131 and the law takes effect, nothing changes for bettors using Colorado sports betting apps. The credit card deposit ban, push notification restriction, and daily deposit cap would go into effect following a standard implementation period after the governor’s signature. Bettors who rely on credit cards to fund sportsbook accounts would need to switch to debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, or other accepted methods before the law kicks in.

For the majority of recreational bettors, a daily deposit cap is unlikely to change their behavior in any meaningful way — most casual bettors fund their accounts periodically, not multiple times per day. The provision is targeted at problem gamblers who make repeated deposits during a single session in response to losses.

What Other States Are Watching

Ohio is already drafting a credit card ban for online sports betting. Other states with mature sports betting markets, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, are watching Colorado closely. If SB 131 reduces measurable harm indicators without driving bettors to offshore sites, it becomes a data-backed model that responsible gambling advocates can take to other legislatures. The broader trend toward legislative guardrails on betting app mechanics — rather than just relying on voluntary operator tools — appears to be accelerating across multiple states heading into 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions.