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What does moneyline actually mean?

American odds are the only format that matters at a US sportsbook. A negative number — say, -110 — tells you how much you must risk to win $100. A positive number like +150 tells you how much $100 profit a winning $100 wager returns. I spent years reading tote boards at the track before legal sports betting existed in Colorado, and the principle is the same: the number reflects probability, and the house always builds its cut in. Colorado launched legal online sports betting on May 1, 2020, after voters approved Proposition DD, so everything below applies to the licensed, regulated books you can access right now in the state. You must be 21 or older to wager.

What is the vig, and why does it eat your bankroll quietly?

The vig — also called juice — is the sportsbook's commission. On a standard point-spread bet, both sides are priced at -110. That means you risk $110 to win $100. The -110 on each side implies roughly a 4.5% house margin. The book doesn't need to predict the game correctly; it just needs balanced action and those ten extra dollars per side. It's a toll road. You pay every time, win or lose. Before you chase a big promo, understand that the vig compounds across every leg of every parlay you build.

What is a parlay and what is a rollover?

A parlay links two or more selections into one bet. Every leg must win or the whole ticket loses. Payouts multiply, which is why they're attractive — and why sportsbooks love them. Rollover (sometimes called playthrough) is the number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you can withdraw it. If a book gives you a $200 bonus with a 10x rollover, you need to bet $2,000 total before that money is yours. Always read the exact rollover figure in a sportsbook's terms before opting in. For a deeper look at claiming offers, see How Do You Claim a CO Sportsbook Promo Code?.

Handle and hold — why do these terms matter to Colorado bettors?

Handle is the total dollar amount wagered at a sportsbook over a defined period — the gross betting volume before any payouts. Hold is the percentage of that handle the sportsbook keeps after paying winners. These are the numbers Colorado's Division of Gaming uses to track tax revenue from licensed operators. When a book advertises a strong promo, it's partly buying handle. Knowing these terms helps you read the business clearly: a high-hold book is extracting more per dollar wagered, which matters when you're deciding where to bet long-term. Check Best Colorado Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses Ranked for a current look at which books are competing for your action.

Quick-reference glossary table

Term Definition Bettors need to know
Moneyline Bet on the outright winner; odds in American format (e.g., -110, +150) Negative = favorite, positive = underdog; the number sets your profit or cost per $100
Vig (juice) Sportsbook commission built into the odds; typically ~4.5% margin at -110 on both sides You pay this on every bet; it's why breaking even requires a win rate above 52.4%
Parlay Single bet combining two or more legs; all must win Higher potential payout, but one loss kills the ticket; vig stacks across every leg
Rollover Number of times a bonus must be wagered before withdrawal is allowed A key promo fine-print item; always find this number before claiming any offer
Free bet Promotional token allowing a wager without risking personal funds Winnings only are returned, not the stake — effective value is less than the face amount
Handle Total dollars wagered at a sportsbook over a set period State revenue-reporting metric; high handle doesn't mean bettors won
Hold Percentage of handle the sportsbook retains after paying winning bets Higher hold = worse overall value for bettors at that book

Are free bets actually worth the face value?

Short answer: no. A free-bet token typically returns only the winnings if it hits — the stake itself does not come back. A $100 free bet at +100 odds nets you $100 in cash, not $200. Factor in minimum-odds restrictions and rollover requirements and the real value shrinks further. Before you opt in anywhere, read Are Colorado Sportsbook Free Bets Actually Worth Claiming? for a frank breakdown.

Where does DraftKings fit in Colorado?

DraftKings is one of the most prominent books in the state. For a full look at what their current welcome offer actually includes — and what the fine print says — see DraftKings Colorado Sportsbook Promo: What You Get. Compare it against the rollover and minimum-odds terms before committing a deposit.

All bonuses and legal status noted here apply to Colorado only; rules differ state by state. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.