North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season

North Carolina’s House of Representatives are preparing to discuss and vote on a mobile sports betting bill that has already been approved by the state Senate.
The legislation will allow as many as 12 online sports betting operators to launch mobile sportsbooks in the state

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season passed through the Senate last year and is believed to have enough support to pass the House during the even year ‘short legislative session’ which began on Wednesday of last week. State Governor Roy Cooper has also intimated that he will sign any online sports betting legislation that has been passed by lawmakers.

Sports betting is currently available in the state but only at retail sportsbooks located in North Carolina’s two Cherokee casinos. If passed, the legislation will allow as many as 12 online sports betting operators to launch mobile sportsbooks in the state.

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season, state Sen. Paul Lowe, the bill’s sponsor, said:

“We just want to make sure we have drummed up the votes, and I think we have. I feel confident about it.”

He added that the legislation would allow the state to generate millions in additional revenue while reducing the use of unlicensed offshore sportsbooks in the state:

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season

That’s a lot of lost revenue that our citizens are participating with, and we’re getting nothing out of it and some of those [offshore] sites are not safe.”

State Rep. Jason Saine, a supporter of the bill, also told WRAL News:

“We’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll. I’ve not heard any new opposition. I think we have a pretty smooth glide path once we do kind of start rolling into session.”

SB 688 will allow online sports wagers to be placed on all professional sports, college sports, eSports, and some amateur sports such as those played at the Olympics. However, wagers will not be allowed on any high school sports or horse racing.

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season would be overseen be the Lottery Commission while there would be an 8% tax on adjusted gross revenue (AGR). However, House representatives have indicated that while they would pass the bill in its original form, they would seek to pass a second bill that would double the license fee and raise the tax rate to 14%.

Saine also told WRAL that he expects the launch to come some time this year:

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season

Jenny Tang

North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Could Launch in Time for NFL Season