This summer, the Carvana PPA Tour made a splash when it became the first pickleball organization to sanction events offered in the U.S. legal sports wagering market.
The debut enabled pickleball enthusiasts to bet on Ben Johns, who has emerged in recent years as the Novak Djokovic of pickleball. Johns, a winner of more than 80 titles on the tour, is ranked first in men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles. At one point in 2019, Johns maintained a 108-match winning streak in singles and went undefeated in mixed doubles for 22 straight tournaments.
In August, FanDuel began offering odds on Pro Pickleball Association matches, beginning with the Vulcan Kansas City Open Presented by Chicken N Pickle. Bettors at FanDuel have the option of wagering on a litany of markets, including match winners, correct match scores, total points, and head-to-head offerings. Befitting his reputation, Johns dominated throughout the week, capturing a triple crown with titles in singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles.
“The launch of pickleball betting has been massive for the sport's continued growth,” PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe told .