Colorado Falls in Love with Table Tennis Attracting $31.7M Wagers in One Month
Recent data from the Colorado Division of Gaming reveals a remarkable trend in the online sports betting landscape: the fervent popularity of wagering on table tennis. In January 2025 alone, the state recorded a staggering $31.7 million in wagers on this sport, surpassing its previous high of $29.4 million from the month before. This figure notably exceeds the amounts staked on more mainstream sports such as soccer, mixed martial arts (MMA), and even the National Hockey League (NHL).
So, what accounts for this seemingly inexplicable rise in interest for table tennis, especially in a region devoid of prominent players or leagues? The answer sheds light on the psychology of online sports bettors, their preferred sports for wagering, and how the structure of table tennis provides an irresistible outlet for their betting cravings.
Interestingly, Colorado is not an outlier in this trend. While it is the only state officially reporting specific betting figures for table tennis, industry insiders acknowledge that this growing interest mirrors a nationwide phenomenon across other regulated jurisdictions. Chris Schroder, Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, contended, “The popularity of table tennis isn’t unique to Colorado. It has a significant following throughout the country, evident in various regulated gaming markets.”
The surge in table tennis betting can be traced back to the unprecedented circumstances of 2020, a pivotal year when online sports betting was legalized in Colorado—alongside numerous other states—coinciding with the cancellation of major professional leagues due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As traditional sporting events halted, table tennis competitions continued unabated across Europe and Asia, providing bettors with scarce options to engage in their wagering activities.
This initial spike in interest has developed into a sustained phenomenon for two primary reasons:
- Year-Round Availability: Live-streamed table tennis matches occur throughout the day and night globally, often filling the gaps left by more conventional sports schedules.
- Fast-Paced Action: The brevity and quick succession of matches mean that odds fluctuate rapidly, catering to the demands of in-play bettors who thrive on continuous action. As Dr. Ken Pendleton from the University of Oregon quipped, wagering on table tennis is “like the crack cocaine of sports gambling.”
Given these dynamics, it is reasonable to anticipate that the level of betting on table tennis will remain robust in Colorado and beyond, as bettors seek exhilarating and accessible wagering opportunities. The longevity of this trend highlights not only a shift in sports betting preferences but also a broader evolution within the gambling industry, as operators adapt to meet the demands of a diversifying audience.
