Colorado gave the green light for sportsbooks to launch their mobile products and some apps are expected to go live beginning 1 May.
Though Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently eased restrictions, it may be weeks or longer until the state’s casinos reopen.
Retail sportsbooks will then have to finish installing proper equipment and technology.
Dan Hartman, director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, tells Gaming America: “Obviously with the things going on now with the shelter-in-place and as we look at what the timeline is, is starting on May 1 the end all be all with the safety and other health issues that are going on around the world?
“We have operators that need to get in here from all around the world. That means travel. That means travel for our people to go out and inspect sites or inspect equipment.”
Hartman had been keeping in touch digitally with stakeholders and casino operators and owners entering the May rollout.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission continued to approve sports betting licenses through the end of April, the most recent one going to gambling.com.
Max Bichsel, VP, US Business at Gambling.com Group, commended the state for imposing a business-friendly tax rate.
Bischel said: "Colorado has the opportunity to be a gold standard for other states looking to establish a legal, regulated sports betting market in 2020 and beyond.
“With broad support for mobile betting, a reasonable tax rate of 10%, and an open, free-market approach, sports betting companies will bring the best sports betting products and experiences to Colorado."
DraftKings and BetRivers.com were among the mobile sportsbooks expected to launch on Friday.
ROAR Digital announced it has entered a primary skin agreement with Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino, a partnership that allows ROAR to offer online sports betting.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of ROAR Digital, said: “With a limited sports schedule currently, it's the perfect time for new customers to learn how to use our feature-rich sports wagering product, ahead of the return of U.S. sports."
