Sports Betting in North Carolina: Is it Legal?

The topic of sports betting in North Carolina may be quite a confusing one at first glance, which is why we have listed everything you need to know about sports betting in North Carolina below, just to make life a bit easier for you eager sports bettors in North Carolina!

The Current Status

The state of North Carolina is well-positioned to become a new major hub for the operation of online sports betting. For a while, the state of North Carolina authorized retail betting on sports at just two tribal casinos located in the western part of the state. However, there is a significant amount of movement toward the introduction of mobile sports betting in the state of North Carolina in 2022.

There are no casinos outside the three tribal locations in North Carolina, which is more evidence that the state takes a stance that is similar to that of many other states in the South Of America, being that it defaults to a relatively cautious stance regarding betting in most circumstances. Therefore, it came as a pleasant shock to many who follow the betting industry to learn that the authorities in North Carolina have decided to move through with retail sports betting at the state’s two casinos.

At one point, it seemed as though residents of North Carolina would soon have access to a greater number of opportunities to place bets on sporting events, though this hope was short-lived. The North Carolina Senate breezed through the passage of Senate Bill 688 (SB 688) with no issue, and there were signs that the measure had sufficient support in the House of Representatives to also be approved, shining a light of possibility on the legality of sports betting in North Carolina, in the near-future. Regrettably, the bill’s supporters and opponents could not come to an agreement on a number of its provisions, which ultimately doomed its chances of being passed during the final weeks of the legislative session in 2022. It won’t be until 2023 before legislators are allowed to try again to pass a legislation regulating mobile sports betting, assuming that’s something they’re even planning on doing in the first place.

When Can We Expect Some Major Progress?

Sadly, things aren’t going to start looking up before 2024 at the earliest, so unlike Aesja, we aren’t too happy. The timetable for the debut has been significantly pushed back as a result of the legislative failure that occurred in 2022 over online sports betting. Even if it’s possible that politicians and regulators will have everything sorted out by 2023, the fact of the matter is that the earliest that North Carolina residents will be able to legally place bets using their mobile devices and desktop computers is probably going to be 2024.

Despite the fact that the estimate appears to be dreadful, it is crucial to bear in mind the multiple obstacles that stand in the way of any development of sports betting in North Carolina. It is necessary for a measure of legislation to receive approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate before online sports betting in California can even be considered. Members of either chamber have the ability to delay the process at any time by proposing amendments or raising issues about the bill. The bill must also receive approval from Governor Cooper, who retains the power to oppose it at any time and send it back to the legislature for a possible override vote.

Even if betting on sports using mobile devices were made legal, the task of regulating the industry would still be a daunting one. The designated regulator is responsible for enacting rules for the new industry, while also taking into account the comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders and members of the general public. The fact of the matter is that the passage of any kind of legislation is not a quick process; hence, the failure of the bill to legalize sports betting in 2022 is unquestionably a setback for the schedule.

A Summary Of North Carolina’s Sports Betting Bill

So, what exactly are some of the specifics of this bill regarding betting on sports in North Carolina?

In the state of North Carolina, a potential market for online betting may support up to 12 different providers. Additionally, professional teams whose stadiums have a capacity of more than 17,000 people are eligible to open a sports betting lounge.

These online sportsbooks would have to pay a total of $1,500,000 over the course of five years for mobile licenses. After just a period of five years, sportsbooks are able to renew their license for an additional annual fee of $100,000.

In addition to this, the total adjusted gross revenue of these operators would be subject to a tax at the rate of 8% each year.

The current version of Senate Bill 688 would also make it possible to wager on games played by colleges and universities within the state. This is not the case in several states; in fact, many major markets either outright prohibit this type of betting or do not allow it on in-state universities and colleges.

This proposal would be a home run for both North Carolina’s citizens and any tourists traveling through the state, given the state’s central role in the world of collegiate athletics.

The age requirement for betting legally on sports online is 21. You can anticipate that North Carolina will move forward with a fairly typical age requirement of 21 years or older for online betting.

Not Legal Advice

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Tags: gambling, Sports Book

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.