A tax levied on people betting on the Rockies or the Broncos might be the way to pay for more roads and bridges, according to Republican gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton.
“Sports gambling is coming to Colorado,” Stapleton, the state treasurer, told an audience of real estate investors Saturday. “I think we should assess a tax on people placing a bet and use that to build up our roads and bridges.”
However, whether Stapleton supports legalizing online gambling isn’t clear. Asked that question Monday, Stapleton spokesman Jerrod Dobkin reiterated Stapleton’s message to Investment Community of the Rockies’ conference in Denver. He said Stapleton thinks it’s a good idea to use the money on infrastructure if the legislature decides to change the law.
The issue is in play because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. New Jersey successfully argued that limiting sports betting to a handful of states was unconstitutional.
Colorado law still defines sports gambling as an illegal activity. However, lawmakers could change that during the 2019 legislative session, and it’s almost certain they’ll debate a bill to legalize sports betting.
State Reps. Alec Garnett, D-Denver, and Cole Wist, R-Centennial, have both talked about sponsoring a bill.
