The State of Sports Betting in North Carolina

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Sports betting has been around for centuries. It’s one of the ways people all over the world enjoy their favorite teams by putting their knowledge of the sport into practice. This activity has been gaining popularity over the years, primarily because of advancements in technology. People can now find information on a particular sport before placing bets, increasing their chances of success.

Sports betting is popular in multiple states across America. However, some states are yet to legalize the activity. This article will focus on where sports betting in North Carolina is at the moment.

Has North Carolina Legalized Sports Betting?

Only retail sports betting is legal in the Old North State. North Carolina’s legislators passed the law in July 2019. However, people can only place their bets in only two sportsbooks in the state – the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River and the Cherokee Casino Resort. Legislators are yet to pass the law allowing online and mobile betting in the Old North State.

In 2018, the US Supreme Court gave every state the chance to legalize sports betting. In July 2019, North Carolina’s governor signed a bill allowing horse race and retail sports betting. In April 2021, a Senate bill proposing the legalization of online sports betting was filed. The bill proposed the operators pay an 8% tax on the sports betting revenue.

The state Senate and the House Commerce Committee passed the bill in August 2021 and November 2021. The bill then moved to the House Judiciary Committee and is pending approval from three more committees.

If the bill passes to law, North Carolina residents will get to place bets on their favorite sports without having to visit physical casinos or retail sportsbooks.

Some of the things that SB 688 is proposing include:

  • People participating in sports wagering should be 21 years and above.
  • The lottery commission will offer between 10 and 12 betting licenses. The permit requires a $500,000 initial application fee and is valid for five years.
  • People can bet on college sports, international and domestic sports, eSports, and pro games.
  • A voluntary exclusion program was put in place by the lottery commission to allow players to voluntary excuse themselves from betting.
  • The new North Carolina Major Events Fund will receive half of the total tax collected from the sports betting revenue.

Likely North Carolina Online Sportsbooks

Since online sports betting is a few steps from being legalized, here are a few sportsbooks that will be operational:

  • Caesars Sportsbook– Caesars operates the only in-person retail betting sportsbook in North Carolina. In addition, the company offers attractive sign-up bonuses for its users.
  • BetMGM Sportsbook– MGM Resorts International is already running online operations in neighboring Tennessee and Virginia. The betting giant provides daily promotions and a vast betting menu. It is likely to develop attractive packages to cement its position in the Old North State.
  • DraftKings Sportsbook– Most people know DraftKings for its aggressive contests and promotions. It is one of the leading online sports betting companies in most states in the US. DraftKings has gained massive popularity due to its daily fantasy sports betting expertise.
  • FanDuel Sportsbook– FanDuel is famous for its fantasy sports operations. The betting giant’s mobile application is user-friendly and popular with sports bettors. The sign-up deal here is one of the best in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Sports betting will take a new turn in North Carolina when mobile and online betting becomes legal. Some leagues you can bet on include the NFL, NBA, and NHL, along with international sports. As you place your bets on your favorite clubs, remember to practice responsible gambling!

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