Ping Pong: Millions Bet on Table Tennis in Colorado? Why?

Key Points

• Table tennis has been one of the most bet sports in Colorado since the launch of legal sports betting in 2020.

• In January 2025, a state record $31.7 million was wagered on table tennis in Colorado, making it the 4th-most popular sport for betting behind the NBA, NFL and NCAA basketball.

• With major sports on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, many bettors turned to table tennis, which continued playing in Russia and Ukraine, and the trend never faded.

• Fast-paced games, near-constant availability, bettor habits formed during the pandemic and potential sharp betting syndicates have all contributed to the sport’s sustained betting appeal in Colorado.

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When you think of sports betting in America, images of the NFL, NBA, March Madness or Major League Baseball likely spring to mind. But in Colorado, an unexpected other sport has been incredibly popular in the betting landscape since COVID-19 times: table tennis. Yes, ping pong.

It may sound absurd, but as ESPN sports betting reporter David Purdum highlights, the numbers don’t lie – table tennis betting has persisted in a post-COVID world. In May 2024, Colorado sportsbooks took in $13.9 million in table tennis wagers, surpassing bets placed on golf, MMA and boxing combined. In September 2024, Colorado set another table tennis handle record with $17.9 million wagered. That number shot up to $29.4 million in December 2024, nearly doubling the amount wagered on hockey that month. The record was broken yet again in January 2025, with $31.7 million bet – making table tennis the 4th-most bet-on sport in Colorado, trailing only the NBA, NFL and NCAA basketball.

So, what’s behind Colorado’s unexpected obsession with betting on table tennis? Let’s dive into some of the possible explanations. 

When did table tennis become so popular for betting in Colorado?

First, let’s go back in history a bit for some context. The roots of this table tennis phenomenon trace back to May 2020 when Colorado officially launched legal sports betting. However, this launch coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down major sports leagues like the NBA, MLB, and NHL. With few betting options available, table tennis, which continued play in Russia and Ukraine, quickly filled the void. In that first month, Colorado bettors wagered $6.6 million on table tennis, making it the most popular betting sport in the state.

Many assumed that the interest in table tennis betting would fade once more mainstream sports returned, but that thinking was incorrect. Instead, it became a staple of Colorado’s sports betting options, seeing millions of dollars in wagers each month. In January 2021, for instance, $11.8 million was bet on table tennis, more than was wagered on college football bowl games or even the NHL, despite the Colorado Avalanche being a Stanley Cup favorite at the time.

Why is ping pong a top betting sport in Colorado?

Several theories attempt to explain why table tennis remains so popular among Colorado bettors:

1. Habits Formed During COVID-19

Once bettors developed a routine of wagering on table tennis, many simply never stopped. The sport had become an intriguing betting option during the pandemic, and old habits die hard.

2. Fast-Paced, High-Volume Action

Unlike football or basketball, where games last hours, a table tennis match is over in just minutes. Matches start about every 15 minutes, meaning there’s always another game to bet on. The rapid pace and constant turnover make it attractive for bettors who prefer quick action and frequent new wagering opportunities.

3. Potential for “Chasing Losses”

The near-constant action and availability of table tennis can also make it a tempting, but dangerous option for those trying to quickly win back amounts lost earlier by “chasing” them with more bets. With table tennis matches available nearly 24/7 due to time zone differences, some bettors may see it as their only hope for winning back what was lost after a rough period of betting on other sports. This cycle of thinking is incredibly risky, as losses can compound quickly and result in losing amounts that can’t be afforded. In fact, one of the most common “at-risk behaviors” seen by Birches Health counselors is chasing losses. 

4. Sharp Betting Syndicates

Table tennis betting isn’t just for casual gamblers. Ping pong players vary in age and skill, and matches typically just have a single scorekeeper flipping numbers by hand. With this type of environment, some sharp bettors and betting syndicates appear to be targeting the sport, taking advantage of “soft” lines and betting markets that may not be as carefully monitored as those for mainstream sports.

5. Nefarious Activity: Money Laundering and Match Fixing?

The rapid growth of table tennis betting has also raised suspicions. Some industry analysts have wondered if the sport's surge in betting could be linked to potential concerns like money laundering or match-fixing. Regarding the former, which historically was a serious concern with unregulated betting, all regulated sportsbooks nowadays must have approved Anti-Money Laundering “AML” processes in place. However, some worry that tech-savvy groups could be able to work around them.

There have also been documented concerns about betting irregularities in Ukrainian table tennis, with New Jersey temporarily banning bets on the sport in 2021 due to a match-fixing alert involving six players. Colorado regulators went on to suspend table tennis betting events taking place in Ukraine on that Thursday, but resumed to allow wagering beyond that. 

Is table tennis betting popular in other states too?

Table tennis betting isn’t exclusive to Colorado, but it’s more visible there because Colorado is one of the few states that reports specific table tennis betting data. In many other states, it gets lumped into the “other sports” category, making it difficult to gauge just how widespread the phenomenon may be.

But another exception is Oregon, where a September 2024 report shed light on just how popular table tennis betting has become. According to the report, sports bettors in Oregon wagered $9.1 million on table tennis in August 2024 – an all-time high since the state had launched legal sports betting in 2019. In that month, table tennis was the second-most popular sport to bet on in the state.

While Oregon and Colorado provide specific data on table tennis betting, the extent of its popularity in other states remains unclear due to reporting limitations.

Gambling addiction support and treatment in Colorado

The rapid growth of table tennis betting connects to the potential risks associated with gambling addiction. The sport’s fast-paced nature and around-the-clock availability make it particularly risky for those prone to compulsive gambling behaviors.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their gambling habits, help is available. Birches Health offers specialized gambling addiction treatment virtually across all of Colorado. Care can be covered by insurance too, as Birches aims to ensure that cost is never a blocker to proper care. Birches also supports the Colorado Lottery and the Colorado Division of Gaming, providing online gambling disorder treatment for all individuals in the state.

Birches Health offers the following ways to get started:

• Book an appointment

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com