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
Senate Bill 688 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.
Speaking in an interview with WRAL News, 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:
“When individuals see other companies that are doing the same thing and doing it in our state, and we’re not getting any revenue from it, a light bulb kind of goes off. People are doing this anyway.
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.
Under the new legislation, all mobile sports betting operators will pay a license fee of $500,000 for an initial five-year period. This can then be renewed for $100,000 for a further five years. Sports betting in North Carolina 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:
“It’s conceivable, if not by the first of football season, certainly by mid-season. There might be a couple games already played, but I do think everyone who is involved in it has known something might be coming. It’s not a shock to anyone.”
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.