News writer
The Colorado Lottery Commission has approved two big changes that open the door to online lottery sales and allow tickets to be purchased with credit cards. These changes take effect immediately and have sparked swift backlash among lawmakers.
A quick decision by the Colorado Lottery Commission
The Colorado Lottery Commission held its meeting on Wednesday, November 19. 2025. They finalized these changes during that meeting, surprising legislators who say they only learned of the proposal days before the vote.
Colorado has an October 31 rulemaking deadline. Since this approval came after that deadline date, the changes cannot be reviewed by lawmakers until early 2027.
This long wait time has increased tensions around what some people are seeing as a rushed expansion of Colorado Lottery access during a time of rising financial strains for many Colorado residents.
In a statement to 9 News, Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Democrat who co-signed a bipartisan letter opposing this decision, said, “They ignored us. We don’t think this is within the bounds of the laws that we’ve already passed. We don’t think it’s a good idea for the people of Colorado.”
A bipartisan warning
A total of 24 lawmakers, who were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, wrote a letter to the commission. They warned that online sales and credit card purchases represent a “major police change” and should be debated publicly, not implemented quietly through a vote by commission.
These lawmakers were concerned that players could spend up to their credit limits. They went on to say that this could also expose younger and financially vulnerable adults to significant risk.
Bridges went on to say that life is unaffordable right now for many Colorado residents, so “we’re going to make it even easier for them to lose more money on gambling. Really?”
While modernization does seem inevitable, lawmakers said it shouldn’t bypass the democratic process. They aren’t arguing so much on the fact that online play should exist, but more on who gets to decide when and how it is rolled out.
Lottery retailers are worried
In addition to lawmakers being concerned about these changes, convenience stores and gas stations, historically the backbone of Colorado Lottery’s sales, are also objecting to these new rules.
Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, told 9 News that members support updated payment technologies but strongly oppose the state selling tickets directly online.
“It’s a little weird that the government wants to compete directly with their own customers,” Bailey said. He agreed with Bridges, warning that “ultimately, there’s going to be a family… who spends $1,000 on a Visa card for a Powerball jackpot, and that’s going to hurt their family.”
Governor agrees with Lottery Commission
While some lawmakers are concerned about these changes, Gov. Jared Polis supports the rule changes. He states these changes are a shift toward player convenience.
In a statement from his office, they said the changes “modernize Colorado’s lottery system and ensure customers don’t need to fumble through several cards to buy what they want.”
Meanwhile, the Colorado Lottery Commission defended these changes. They stated that 26 other states already allow for credit card purchases. They said delaying the decision “would bring no value” after they spent months researching consumer needs.
They also highlighted that responsible gambling tools would accompany the expanded access for players. These tools include spending limits, cool-off options, and financial literacy resources.
Where do we go from here?
With the Lottery Commission approving the changes right now, lawmakers can’t review the rules until 2027. However, lawmakers can attempt to pass new legislation to block or reverse these changes. Keep in mind, the Governor supports these changes, so any bill would likely face a veto from Polis and require a two-thirds majority to override.
Bridges added, “I will be doing everything I can to keep this from happening.”
While Colorado’s online lottery era has officially begun, the political battle behind it is only getting started.
Enjoy playing the Colorado Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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