Online sports betting starts in Colorado, but officials say there is almost nothing to bet on

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KRDO) -- Online sports betting started Friday in Colorado after being passed by voters in November, but with COVID-19 limiting sporting events officials say there are almost no events to bet on.

"There are some sports going on and some things you can bet on," said Executive Director for the Colorado Gaming Association Peggi O'Keefe. “Hopefully some of those international sports are going to start opening up soon."

Some casinos that received the approved license to allow online sports betting at their facilities have already created apps for people to use. But until it's safe for sporting events to resume, those bets will have to be on hold for now.

On the main stretch of road in Cripple Creek, everything is closed -- not just the casinos. Non-essential businesses that KRDO spoke with in March also had to close their doors. Some even have signs saying the shop is for sale.

“Having the closure of these casinos has been devastating for these counties and towns,” O'Keefe said.

Last year, O'Keefe says Colorado casinos brought in $125 million in tax revenue. That means, on average, for every month they're closed it's about $10 million lost.

"That revenue that goes to fund community colleges, historic preservation funding, a variety of local government programs," O'Keefe said. "Those are suffering right now."

KRDO tried to get ahold of Cripple Creek city officials for comment on the economic impact on their town. Although we haven't heard back, there is a notice posted on the front door to City Hall saying officials asked Gov. Jared Polis during an earlier press conference when casinos could reopen. Polis said they could possibly re-open by the end of May, according to the notice. However, that depends on how these next few weeks go.