If North Carolina legalizes online sports gambling this year, companies such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM and Penn National Gaming could offer mobile sports betting within the state. Draftkings app is seen on smart phone at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, N.C., on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
RALEIGH
Legalizing sports betting in North Carolina is getting closer to the end zone, with just one vote left before a bill goes to the governor.
The state House of Representatives voted 68-41 in favor of the bill on Tuesday, with no debate allowed. A final House vote is expected Wednesday, which would mean it then passes the General Assembly.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s in the bill, and what’s next.
Within 12 months of it becoming law. The Lottery Commission, tasked with regulating sports wagering, would determine the exact date it starts. A previous version of the measure would have started it on Jan. 8, 2024. That would mean the latest wagers could start would be in June 2024.
The state would grant licenses for up to 12 sports wagering operators.
You must be at least 21 years old.
▪ Professional sports
▪ College sports
▪ Electronic sports
▪ Amateur sports
▪ Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing
Betting on youth sports will remain illegal.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper didn’t fully commit, but the answer is likely yes.
“I think it’s an important source of revenue for people of North Carolina,” Cooper told reporters at an unrelated event on Monday.
“This is happening now. And we, the taxpayers, might as well get the benefit. We need to continue to study it diligently before I sign it, but I do support the effort,” Cooper said.
Once the bill reaches his desk, the governor has 10 days to take action or it becomes law without his signature.
Yes. It is Senate Bill 347 and all bill documents are online at the ncleg.gov website.
There are dozens of bill sponsors from both parties, but four lead sponsors: Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincolnton Republican and head budget writer; Rep. John Bell, the House majority leader and a Wayne County Republican; Rep. Zack Hawkins, a Durham Democrat; and Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, a Greensboro Democrat.
There are 13 UNC System colleges, including four HBCUs, that would receive money for their athletic programs. Legislative researchers estimate the schools would receive $1.2 million in 2024-25, with the amount increasing in subsequent years. The schools are:
▪ Elizabeth City State University
▪ Fayetteville State University
▪ N.C. A&T State University
▪ N.C. Central University
▪ UNC-Asheville
▪ UNC-Greensboro
▪ UNC-Pembroke
▪ UNC-Wilmington
▪ Western Carolina University
▪ Winston-Salem State University
▪ Appalachian State University
▪ East Carolina University
▪ UNC-Charlotte
Yes, the tax rate for sports betting operators would be 18% of gross wagering revenue.
Yes, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services would receive $2 million a year for gambling addition, education and treatment programs in the state.
This story was originally published June 6, 2023, 2:21 PM.
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