Colorado’s sports betting industry kicked off May 1 during a global pandemic and in the absence of most major league sports. But that didn’t stop fans from placing bets — particularly on ping pong.
According to the Division of Gaming, Coloradans wagered more than $25.6 million on various competitive events during the first month of legalized betting.
Table tennis was the most popular sport to bet on, garnering about $6.6 million in wagers, followed by MMA fights, baseball, soccer, and golf.
The state collected more than $95,000 in taxes from gaming revenue in May, the division reported.
All wagers were collected by sports betting apps, as Colorado’s casinos remained closed due to a statewide stay-at-home order aimed at mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus. Despite the unprecedented circumstances, Dan Hartman, director of the Division of Gaming, said the industry is off to a strong start.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, the closures of Colorado casinos and cessation of professional sporting events were challenges the Division of Gaming could not anticipate when initially planning for the launch of legalized sports betting in Colorado,” Hartman said in a statement. “The total amount wagered in May of $25.6 million is an encouraging predictor of the potential for the Colorado sports betting landscape. It shows a bright future for the Colorado sports betting market.”
There are 20 apps currently licensed to operate in the state. And as casinos reopen, several are debuting their retail sportsbooks where gamblers can place bets in person, including Golden Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk, which has partnered with DraftKings, and Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek.
