The bill advanced in the North Carolina House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate. Sports betting is already allowed at three tribal casinos in the state. However, the bill would also allow the North Carolina Lottery Commission to issue 10-12 interactive sports wagering licenses. In addition, the state would also collect a 14 percent privilege tax on operators’ gross revenue.
Sports gambling in North Carolina soared over a major hurdle on Tuesday as the House voted for legislation to permit, regulate and tax wagering activities less than a year after the chamber scuttled a similar effort.
The winning 66-45 vote for pro-gambling forces signals the legislature could be willing to offer residents in the nation’s ninth-largest state the chance to bet on professional, college and Olympic-type athletics by computer, mobile app or in person by early next year.
Several basketball fans in the Triangle headed out to their favorite sports bar Saturday to watch the March Madness Final Four.
Lawmakers said the bill does have some restrictions. For example, people would not be allowed to gamble on youth sports, high school sports or horse racing. Lawmakers also said the bill has measures in place to prevent gambling problems from escalating.
If passed, North Carolina would join 24 states that already allow mobile or online sports betting according to the American Gaming Association.
