Colorado Bets More on Table Tennis Than Hockey

Colorado’s odd betting twist: table tennis beats hockey

Colorado has delivered a surprising data point for anyone tracking U.S. sports betting behavior. Since legal sports wagering launched in the state in 2019, bettors have staked more money on table tennis than on ice hockey — even though Colorado is home to a proud hockey culture, from the Colorado Avalanche to the University of Denver.

According to figures from the Colorado Division of Gaming, bettors have risked $989.2 million on table tennis over the last seven years, compared with $958.8 million on hockey. The gap is not massive, but it is notable because hockey is not exactly a niche sport in Colorado. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, and the Pioneers have captured three NCAA national titles in the last five years.

For poker players, this kind of market quirk will feel familiar. In both poker and betting, the obvious choice is not always the most profitable or most popular one. Sometimes the market that looks odd from the outside becomes the one that keeps attracting volume because it offers action, speed, and the illusion of edge.

How the pandemic helped table tennis betting take off

To understand why table tennis became such a strong betting option, you have to go back to the timing of Colorado’s launch. Sports betting went live at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when major U.S. leagues were on pause and bettors were hungry for anything to wager on.

That environment gave table tennis a huge head start. Matches were happening all over the world, the betting windows were open when American sports were not, and the sport offered a fast-paced rhythm that fit the new live-betting era perfectly.

The early months of shutdowns created some wild betting stories across the country. One Nevada bettor, for example, turned $50 into $10,000 on a Ukrainian table tennis parlay in March 2020. Those kinds of results helped fuel the belief that niche markets could produce quick returns — even if the reality is usually far less glamorous.

Even after the major leagues returned, Colorado bettors kept showing unusual interest in table tennis. In March 2021, a full year after the pandemic began, Colorado still posted $8.8 million in table tennis handle. That suggests the sport was not just a temporary substitute; it became part of the state’s betting habits.

If you like studying decision-making and bankroll discipline, that same mindset applies to poker. It is worth sharpening your skills at poker school and comparing formats across poker rooms if you want to approach games with more structure and less impulse.

Colorado betting totals, favorites, and parlay power

The state’s overall sports betting numbers show just how large the market has become. Since legalization, Colorado has taken in more than $30.6 billion in wagers, generating $2.33 billion in gross gaming revenue.

Basketball has been the most popular betting category in the state, accounting for 23.9% of handle, or $7.3 billion. That was followed by:

• parlay betting at 21.4%, or $6.6 billion;
• pro and college football at 18%, or $5.5 billion;
• baseball at 10%, or $3.1 billion.

Parlays remain a key revenue driver for sportsbooks because they combine multiple outcomes and boost the house edge. That is one reason operators continue to push them heavily through promotions & bonuses, especially for newer customers looking for a bigger payout with a smaller stake.

The broader picture is also important. Colorado’s market is not built on one strange betting habit alone. Table tennis may be the headline, but the state’s handle is driven by mainstream sports, parlays, and the steady growth of live betting across the board.

Expert analysis: what table tennis betting says about the market

From an industry perspective, Colorado’s table tennis numbers are more than a curiosity. They show how quickly a betting habit can become normalized when the product is easy to access, frequently available, and highly volatile.

That creates several takeaways for players and operators alike:

• Frequency matters. Sports that offer constant action can generate more handle than bigger-name leagues.
• Volatility attracts bettors. Many players are drawn to the possibility of rapid swings and quick wins.
• Niche markets can become sticky. Once bettors learn a product, they often keep using it even after mainstream options return.
• Risk management becomes critical. High-frequency betting can encourage chasing losses and impulsive behavior.

For poker-minded players, the lesson is straightforward: don’t confuse activity with profitability. A market can feel soft, exciting, and beatable, but if it pushes you into too many decisions too quickly, it can become a bankroll leak.

Colorado lawmakers are now considering a bipartisan bill that would tighten rules on the sports betting industry. The proposal reportedly includes banning prop bets, limiting advertising, and capping bettors at five deposits within 24 hours. If passed, it could reshape the way casual players interact with sportsbooks.

Responsible gambling concerns are growing

The table tennis figures have also raised concern among problem gambling advocates. Their argument is simple: when a niche sport attracts massive betting volume, it may be a sign that the product is encouraging excessive play rather than healthy entertainment.

That does not mean every table tennis bettor is at risk. But it does mean players should stay disciplined and watch for warning signs:

• betting more often than planned;
• chasing losses with faster markets;
• using deposits as a reflex;
• feeling stressed when not placing bets.

For anyone who also spends time in poker clubs or works with a poker agent, the same responsible-gaming principles apply. The more frequently you enter action, the more important it is to set hard limits and stick to them.

Final thoughts: a small sport with a big signal

Colorado’s table tennis numbers are funny on the surface, but they reveal something serious about modern betting behavior. The state’s bettors are not only following the biggest brands in sports; they are also responding to availability, timing, and the thrill of frequent action.

For players, the takeaway is to treat niche markets with the same respect you would give a tough poker table. For regulators, the data is a reminder that rapid growth often brings unintended consequences. And for sportsbooks, the message is clear: if a market offers constant engagement, bettors will find it — even if it means wagering more on table tennis than hockey in a state that lives and breathes ice sports.

FAQ