Online Aurora Poker Rooms in CO

Colorado has always been one of the US states with relatively lax gambling laws.

As such, it allows its residents to enjoy the state lottery, land-based casinos, charitable gaming (bingo and raffles), horse racing betting, daily fantasy sports, and from 2019, sports betting.

When it comes to poker, the Centennial State is home to over 20 land-based halls, some of which feature poker rooms and host major tournaments.

You might be wondering what the situation is like for online poker — continue reading to find out!

Best Online Poker Sites in Aurora, Colorado

Even though Colorado doesn’t have any regulations concerning online poker, you can still join high-quality international poker platforms catering to Aurora residents.

Our team of experts has combed the internet to find the best online poker platforms that accept Aurora players. Prior to giving our stamp of approval to each of them, we examined several vital aspects and features, including promotions, payment systems, security protocols — and, most importantly, game and tournament offers.

Here is our list of the best Aurora poker sites to get you started:

My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:

Is Online Poker Legal in Aurora, Colorado?

The answer is no. The Centennial State legalized sports betting in 2019, but, unfortunately, it didn’t show the same interest for online casinos and poker. One attempt was made in 2012 when the Colorado Gaming Association drafted a bill that would legalize this industry. However, it never made it to a vote. After that, the state shifted its focus to daily fantasy sports and sports betting.

According to Section 18-10-102(2) of the Colorado Criminal Code, all chance-based gambling activities are deemed illegal. Gambling is defined as:

‘’…risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device, or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control…’’

Naturally, there are several exceptions, including:

• land-based casinos
• state lottery
• charitable gaming (raffles and bingo)
• daily fantasy sport
• live and off-track betting on horse racing events
• sports betting

Over the years, many experts have debated if poker should be exempt, too, seeing that it is predominantly a game of skill — even Federal Judge Jack B. Weinstein argued this in 2012. Unfortunately, the Colorado judiciary has not been legally obligated to follow his example.

Therefore, indulging in any unlawful gambling poker activities (that is, everything except playing in land-based casinos) is considered a Class 1 petty offense and punishable by up to 10 days imprisonment or up to $300 in fines. In addition, players who engage in professional gambling can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Don’t be misled into thinking the state doesn’t enforce this law: there were several cases where individual players were charged for organizing poker tournaments.

So, does that mean Aurora residents have zero options for playing online poker? Of course not. They can choose between two alternatives.

One is to register on free poker sites or sweepstakes platforms. They offer a full range of cash games, tournaments, and Sit and Gos but operate under a different model and use a non-monetary currency (Sweeps and Gold Coins).

Another one is to join offshore poker sites. Since the state law does not expressly prohibit playing at offshore poker rooms and no player has ever been convicted for joining them, many citizens of Aurora choose to play real money poker games there.

Aurora, Colorado Poker Laws

Check out the following laws to learn more about poker legality in the Centennial State:

• What Is Legal? Gambling Questions in Colorado — Colorado Department of Revenue
• Colorado Criminal Code Section 18-10-102
• Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
• Colorado Limited Gaming Act With Constitutional Amendment

How to Pick the Best Aurora Poker Site

The number of poker sites that cater to Aurora players may surprise you. However, not all of them will meet your needs. To discover which platform suits you best, you must carefully inspect each. We’ve compiled a list of criteria to make the process easier and help you rate these poker rooms.

Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Aurora, CO

If Aurora has reputable brick-and-mortar casinos with poker rooms, why would you even consider playing online? The answer is because online gambling offers a multitude of benefits. Below are some of the most important ones.

• Comfort – Online poker rooms are more convenient and comfortable than their land-based counterparts. Thanks to them, Aurora poker fans can access any game at any time and have an immersive gambling experience, regardless of their location. This is particularly beneficial to those living far from casinos.
• Game variety – Online gambling platforms tend to provide a much larger selection of games. Any poker variant can be found on the internet within minutes, which no land-based casino can match.
• Bonuses and rewards – Online casinos tend to offer more incentives than land-based gambling establishments. Their goal is to attract as many players as possible by offering generous bonuses and rewards.
• Skill development opportunities – By practicing in demo mode, you will learn the ropes without risking a dime. Also, most poker sites attract players of different skill levels, so you’ll have the chance to play against both beginners and veterans.
• Anonymous play – Online poker has also become popular because players don’t need to reveal their identity. This is particularly beneficial for players who are just starting out as they will not be judged by more seasoned players.

Famous Poker Players From Aurora, CO

Aurora is the birthplace of several poker professionals. Here are the names of the most popular ones:

Bobby Sanoubane — Sanoubane is one of the most famous poker players from Aurora. His biggest success was winning second place in the $600 No Limit Hold’em — Monster Stack event at the DeepStack Extravaganza IV in Las Vegas (2022), which earned him $20,000. His poker career started in 2013, and since then, Sanoubane has participated in over 100 live poker events and won over $1 million. He is currently the 24th-best player in Colorado and 2,698th on the all-time money list.

Jamal Sawaqdeh — This player has amassed almost $500k in poker tourneys alone. He has participated in over 70 competitions, but his most significant achievement was winning the $250 No Limit Hold’em — 1 PM at Rio Daily Deepstacks in 2018, where he snagged a $39,402 prize. He currently ranks as the 3,955th player on the all-time money list.

Teresa Hemingway — Hemingway has been on the poker scene for the last decade and managed to earn over $485k in live tournaments alone. Her biggest prize amounted to $226,463 after she won the Heartland Poker Tour Colorado in 2013. Currently, Hemingway holds the 44th spot in Colorado and 4,314th place on the all-time money list.

Ken Jacobs — A poker scene veteran, Jacobs has participated in only 12 poker competitions since he began playing in 1996. He finished second at the 2002 LA Poker Classic, which earned him his biggest live cash win worth $190k. He is currently inactive and ranks as the 56th-best player in Colorado.

Top Land-Based Poker Rooms in Aurora, CO

The Centennial State has a thriving live poker scene with around two dozen land-based gambling establishments. However, only 4 of them have poker rooms with plenty of cash games and are within a reasonable distance of Aurora. Bally’s Black Hawk Casino has the largest card room with 47 tables and is the only one hosting tournaments.

Aside from the regular daily No Limit Hold’em events, this casino is home to the major poker events in the state — Bally’s Colorado Poker Championship and Bally’s Poker Open. It is also a frequent stop of other major tourneys, such as the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT).

For many years, the state live casino industry was hampered by the rule that a single wager must not exceed $5. Fortunately, the limit was raised to $100 in 2009 and completely eliminated in 2021, allowing the casinos to set up their own maximum bet sizes. This was also the moment when players from Aurora and the rest of the state were finally allowed to test No Limit poker.

Take a look at the table below to learn more about each poker room close to Aurora:

Poker room	Address	Number of tables	Tournaments
Bally’s Black Hawk Casino	300 Main St, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422	17	Yes
Ameristar Black Hawk Casino Hotel	111 Richman St, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422	11	No
Monarch Casino Resort Spa	488 Main St, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422	14	No
Horseshoe Black Hawk Casino Hotel	401 Main St, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422	7	No

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