betting
Coloradans Bet More On Table Tennis Than Hockey
Colorado sports bettors have wagered more on table tennis than ice hockey since legalization in 2019, sparking discussions on betting trends and responsible gambling.
TL;DR
Since sports betting became legal in Colorado in 2019, residents have bet nearly a billion dollars on table tennis, exceeding wagers placed on hockey. This unexpected trend is attributed partly to the COVID-19 pandemic and the availability of table tennis matches for betting during off-peak hours for major sports.
A recent report compiling sports betting activity in Colorado since its 2019 legalization reveals that residents have wagered more on table tennis than on ice hockey. The Colorado Division of Gaming, with data collected by the Denver Post, indicates that bettors have risked $989.2 million on table tennis compared to $958.8 million on hockey over the past seven years. This occurred despite Colorado being home to successful hockey teams like the Colorado Avalanche and the University of Denver Pioneers.
This betting behavior partially originated during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic when major American sports leagues were paused. Table tennis offered accessible betting opportunities during that period. Even after mainstream sports resumed, Coloradans continued to show significant interest, wagering $8.8 million on table tennis in March 2021 alone. The sport's frequent international matches provide betting windows outside of typical American sports schedules.
Beyond comparison with hockey, table tennis betting totals also surpassed those for golf, mixed martial arts, boxing, and motorsports in Colorado. Overall, the state has recorded over $30.6 billion in wagers since legalization, generating $2.33 billion in gross revenue.
However, the high volume of table tennis betting has raised concerns among problem gambling experts. Organizations like ODAAT Gambling Awareness view the numbers as indicative of potential addiction issues. In response, state lawmakers are considering a bipartisan bill that would introduce restrictions on the sports betting industry, including banning prop betting, limiting advertising, and capping deposits to five within 24 hours.
Further analysis of Colorado's betting habits shows basketball as the most popular option, accounting for 23.9% ($7.3 billion) of wagers. Football (pro and college combined) followed with 18% ($5.5 billion), and baseball with 10% ($3.1 billion). Parlay betting also proved popular, making up 21.4% ($6.6 billion) of the total wagers, contributing significantly to sportsbook revenues.
