And we’re live. As of 12 p.m. yesterday, mobile sportsbooks began accepting online wagers in North Carolina. Here’s what to know if you’re hoping to cash in.
How we got here
In 2019, in-person sports betting at tribal casinos was legalized in NC. The state’s first retail sportsbooks, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee (~1 hour from Asheville) and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy (~2 hours from Asheville), opened in May of 2021, both owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. But more recently, on June 14, 2023, Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 to make online sports wagering legal.
The State Lottery Commission is in charge of regulating operations. Up to 11 operators (and two NC tribes) can get a license to facilitate online sports betting, but they must partner with a professional sports team or venue. Up to eight professional sporting arenas could also apply to open in-person sportsbooks.
Governor Roy Cooper signed HB347 in June of 2023 during a ceremony at Spectrum Center.
Photo via @NC_governor
How it works
Bettors can gamble on professional and college sports. Betting on esports, horse racing, and Olympic events will also be permitted. You won’t be able to wager on high school sports, politics, or awards shows.
North Carolinians who are at least 21 years old have been able to set up accounts and deposit funds since March 1. Bettors must provide their name, address, social security number, and a photo of a government-issued ID to become an account holder. Accepted payment methods like credit card, Paypal, and Venmo will depend on the sportsbook.
At noon yesterday, account holders could begin placing various wagers on the apps through their phones and other devices. So far, eight sportsbooks have gotten licenses to accept wagers in NC. They are:
- Caesars Sportsbook (partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- bet365
- DraftKings
- ESPN BET
- Fanatics
- Underdog Sports
Banking on a payoff
Licensed sportsbooks will pay an 18% sports wagering tax. The General Assembly crunched the numbers and estimates the state will earn $74.9 million during the 2024-2025 fiscal year — and that number will jump to $100.6 million by the 2027-2028 fiscal year. The law allocates $300,000 of that money to collegiate athletics at 13 public universities, including UNC Asheville.
Responsible gambling
The new legislation allocates an additional $2 million to the NC Problem Gambling Program, providing effective problem gambling prevention, education, outreach, and treatment + recovery services. Free help and resources are available at morethanagame.nc.gov.
