Gaming law is generally the law that applies to the gaming or gambling industry, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, dog racing, sports betting, card games, table games, social gambling, bingo, raffles, slot machines, scratch tickets, etc. Gaming law includes state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations—and legal principles from traditional areas of law, such as contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, and regulatory law. For example, the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses is located at 18 U.S.C. §1955.

In Colorado, gaming law is governed by both state statutes and federal law. The state permits limited gaming in certain areas, such as the cities of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek, where casinos can operate with games like slot machines, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees the regulation and licensing of the casino industry. Colorado also has a state lottery, which includes scratch tickets and drawings. The state allows betting on horse and dog racing, and as of recent changes, sports betting is also legal. Social gambling among individuals, where no one is a professional and there's no house cut, is permitted under certain conditions. However, Colorado prohibits non-approved types of gambling, and violators can face criminal charges. On the federal level, statutes such as 18 U.S.C. §1955, which prohibits illegal gambling businesses, also apply. This federal law targets large-scale illegal gambling operations that are in violation of state law. It's important for any gaming operation to ensure compliance with both state regulations and applicable federal laws to avoid legal issues.