Sky Ute SportsBook

Sky Ute SportsBook Review

In June 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Ute Tribe in Ignacio, Colorado achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first tribe to enter the state’s online sports betting market with the launch of the Sky Ute SportsBook app. Partnering with UsBookmaking, the tribe, who owns the Sky Ute Casino, developed a sports betting product to offer to their customers.

It was definitely a challenging period for sportsbooks when many major leagues shut down due to the pandemic. Despite this, they persevered and continue to provide a more personalized betting experience to customers, in contrast to bigger books with greater resources.

Take a peek at the straightforward betting options and user-friendly interface provided by Sky Ute SportsBook, catering to both novice and seasoned sports bettors.

Sky Ute SportsBook Locations

Sky Ute SportsBook is a mobile app extension of the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Colorado, allowing users to place sports bets since sports betting is not available physically within the casino.

Sports Leagues to Bet On

NFL Betting

You can view all the NFL games available for betting each week, with competitive pricing similar to major national sportsbooks like FanDuel. However, favorites are priced slightly higher compared to other popular competitors.

You can find all the typical bets like Moneylines, spreads, and Over/Unders. However, prop bet choices are restricted and may not always be offered. For example, during a busy day of NFL games, only the essential options were provided for each game. Yet, for Monday Night Football, some prop bets were available. I could place bets on receiving, passing, and rushing yard props, as well as team totals, margin of victory, and first to 10 points.

NBA Betting

Sky Ute SportsBook remains competitive in the market by providing all the standard NBA bets during the season. However, I find myself wishing for more variety in the prop betting options, as with other sports offerings on the site.

College Football

During the college football season, you can find all FBS action with basic bets such as ML, point spreads, and O/U. The spread lines are competitive and not overly juiced, while ML odds are comparable or even better than larger competitors. However, I would appreciate a wider variety of game props.

College Basketball

College basketball is a lucrative market, providing ample opportunities for bettors on certain apps. However, it’s important to note that individual player props are not available for betting at the NCAA level in Colorado due to legal restrictions.

NHL Betting

If you’re a fan of the Colorado Avalanche, you’ll definitely want to place bets on NHL games. Luckily, this app allows you to bet on all the league’s action. In addition to basic outright bets, you can also find some interesting prop bets to spice things up.

MLB Betting

Sky Ute SportsBooks provides a wide selection of MLB games daily during the regular season, offering opportunities to wager on ML, run lines, and game totals. While they do offer some game props like ML bets on the first five innings and the first to two runs, I felt the need for more betting options.

Although futures betting for baseball is an option, not every team will be available for you to place a championship bet on.

Other Sports Leagues

In addition to the mainstream sports leagues, Sky Ute SportsBook provides betting options for NASCAR, MMA, boxing, and soccer. NASCAR futures bets are offered with favorable odds for winning different races.

Online Betting Experience

Website Experience

The Sky Ute SportsBook homepage is designed as a landing page to encourage users to download their mobile app. Users can navigate to an FAQ page, terms and conditions page, and a guide on basic betting practices through click-throughs.

Mobile Betting and Betting App

The Sky Ute SportsBook can only be accessed through their mobile app, available on both iPhone and Android. I could not find the app on the Google Play Store and had to download it from their website instead. It is your decision whether to take the risk of installing an unapproved app. iPhone users can find the app on the App Store.

The app has a clean and easy-to-use interface. Upon opening the app, you will see a list of upcoming events for the day. Switching between sports is a breeze, with options conveniently located above the odds as well as in the alphabetical tab at the bottom of the screen.

Despite lacking the large budgets of its national competitors, this app was created with minimal graphic design. This minimalist approach may attract users who prefer a simpler interface without excessive graphics and logos.

One of the app’s standout features is its absence of banner ads or annoying pop-ups. Users can enjoy a straightforward platform with clear menus that are easy to navigate. You’ll always be close to the action with this app.

Although a simpler betting experience can be achieved with fewer options, it also means that there are limited betting choices overall. While the app is user-friendly, it lacks the variety of bets offered by more well-known sportsbooks.

Live Betting

The lack of live betting options on the app makes it less appealing for serious bettors.

Casino, Poker, & Other Gaming Options

The Sky Ute SportsBook app does not include an online casino, as online gambling and poker are not permitted in the state of Colorado. There is currently no indication that this will change in the near future.

Sky Ute SportsBook History

The Sky Ute Casino, one of two tribally owned casinos in the state, opened in June 2020 amidst a lack of sports events due to the pandemic. Teaming up with U.S. Bookmaking, Sky Ute SportsBook made history as Colorado’s inaugural tribal-owned sportsbook. Additionally, they made history by becoming the first Native American tribe outside of Nevada to introduce a statewide sportsbook app.

Customer Ratings & Reputation

Many online reviews of the Sky Ute SportsBook app express disappointment with its limited features, including the requirement to deposit funds through Play+, a third-party service commonly used by other online casinos.

Customer Service

Users can receive support from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. MST. Additionally, leaving an app review can also result in a response. Numerous negative reviews have been addressed with direct contact information provided for assistance with any issues.

Customers cannot directly contact customer service through the app. Instead, they can access the support tab to view the privacy policy, terms of use, and the Sky Ute Casino webpage. To submit a query, users must visit the website and fill out a contact form on the contact page.

Sky Ute SportsBook Contact

Despite being connected to a physical casino, the sportsbook does not offer phone or in-person support. If you are unable to find a solution on the website, you can send your complaints to a mailing address.

• Virtual chat
• Mail address
• Twitter: @SkyUteSports

Sky Ute SportsBook Legal Betting

Sky Ute SportsBook in Colorado is overseen by the Colorado Division of Gaming, and individuals must be at least 21 years of age to sign up.

Responsible Gambling

Sky Ute SportsBook adheres to the regulations set by Colorado’s governing bodies and is dedicated to ensuring that players engage in responsible gambling.

Below are some resources that can assist you in gambling responsibly.

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): The NCPG has over 50 years of experience assisting people and families affected by problem gambling. You can call or text them (1-800-522-4700) or join their 24/7 Live Chat.
• Center for Problem Gambling: The Center has been funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) since 1996. They are committed to serving anyone affected by a gambling addiction. Treatment is confidential and provided regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Their gambling counselors have significant experience working with problem gambling and include therapists who are Nationally Certified Gambling Counselors.
• BeGambleAware.org: Offers free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: A global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.

Why Choose Sky Ute SportsBook?

Aside from the appeal of supporting local businesses and avoiding larger national sportsbooks, there is little reason for Colorado bettors to use this app. Sky Ute SportsBook lacks enticing bonuses and special betting opportunities, providing only a basic and straightforward user experience.

The competition from larger, well-established sportsbooks in the state poses a challenge for the Sky Ute SportsBook’s minimalist approach. While it offers basic betting options, it falls short in providing a comprehensive range of betting choices, such as a diverse prop betting market. Additionally, the requirement to use a third-party service for fund transfers is a drawback for me.

Lastly, the app also asks you to provide your full social security number which makes many people — myself included — uncomfortable. There are better options for bettors in the state of Colorado than Sky Ute SportsBook.