A bill to legalize mobile sports betting in North Carolina passed through the state’s House Committee on Commerce on Tuesday afternoon. The bill still has multiple committees stops remaining before possibly being discussed on the House floor.
Despite the scrutiny, the bill passed through the committee by a vote of 17-10.
A similar bill narrowly failed on the House floor last year. Bill sponsor Rep. Jason Saine hopes 2023 will be different, as he aims to bring mobile wagering to a state that currently allows retail sports betting at tribal casinos. "We have tried to carefully craft a bill that takes in a lot of the opinions expressed last year, and of course this year as we started the session,” Saine said.
"We are knowingly sanctioning additional abusive behavior, excessive behavior, uncontrollable behavior, and heartbreaking behavior”
The bill wasn’t without detractors Tuesday, though. Rep. Deb Butler was outspoken against bringing mobile sports wagering to North Carolina. Butler believes mobile betting will lead to a noteworthy rise in problem gambling issues in the state.
