monthly handle ever recorded in the state. Not only did bettors place more wagers than ever, but sportsbooks also saw record-breaking revenue, and state tax contributions hit an all-time high.
But what stood out the most? Despite the NFL playoffs being in full swing, Coloradans bet the most on basketball. While the Denver Broncos’ early exit in the Wild Card round against the Buffalo Bills might suggest a shift in betting interest, this trend is nothing new. Over the past five years in Colorado, basketball betting has overtaken the NFL during the postseason.
Breaking Handle Record for Third Month in a Row 4j4o3m
Colorado’s betting surge wasn’t just a one-time event. January marked the third consecutive month of record-breaking betting volume.
After a nearly year-long wait, the $600 million mark was first crossed again in October 2024, when sportsbooks recorded a $601 million handle. From there, momentum continued:
- November 2024: $647.9 million wagered.
- December 2024: $648.4 million, another increase.
- January 2025: $657.1 million, setting a new record.
Not only did January’s handle reach new heights, but Colorado sportsbooks also reported their highest-ever revenue, at $60.9 million, while state taxes exceeded $4.4 million.
US betting industry.
Basketball Betting in January: A Colorado Tradition That Won’t Budge 14q3l
Since the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado in 2020, basketball has repeatedly been the top sport wagered on in January. Historically, the NFL was the most wagered sport during the regular season from September to December, but basketball consistently took over in January. There were only two exceptions:
- September 2020 – Baseball was the most wagered sport that month.
- 2022 Season – That year, the NFL dominated betting only in September and October, while basketball took over as early as November. This shift coincided with the Denver Nuggets’ dominant season, which ultimately led to their first NBA championship.
The combination of regular-season NBA games, NCAA conference play, and the Nuggets’ rising success has kept basketball at the forefront of Colorado’s betting scene during this crucial time of year.
More Than $31 Million Wagered on Table Tennis 1m5a1w
While basketball betting led the way, table tennis emerged as an unexpected favorite among Colorado bettors.
In January:
- Basketball ed for 27.1% of bets (NBA) and 7.9% (college basketball), totaling $230 million.
- Parlays made up 24% of all wagers.
- NFL betting ranked third with 18.2% of bets.
- Surprisingly, table tennis ed for 4.8% of all wagers, totaling $31.5 million.
To put this into perspective, the Australian Open – one of the biggest tennis events of the year – only ed for 4.2% of all wagers, meaning more money was bet on table tennis than on regular tennis.
Breakdown of Top Sports by Betting Handle 2e2u2u
| Sport | Handle ($) | Percentage of Total Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball (NBA) | $178,006,627 | 27.1% |
| College Basketball | $52,091,982 | 7.9% |
| Parlays | $157,638,017 | 24% |
| NFL | $119,889,072 | 18.2% |
| Table Tennis | $31,718,384 | 4.8% |
| Tennis | $27,552,102 | 4.2% |
