A North Carolina mobile sports betting bill will start the 2022 session already on the final stretch.
The North Carolina General Assembly convenes Wednesday with sports betting legislation already through one chamber. The NC sports betting bill, SB 688, appears it could advance quickly, as it has the backing of House leadership, industry sources told LSR last week.
The legislation passed through the Senate, 26-19, and the House Commerce Committee, 12-4, last year. The session runs until June 30.
North Carolina House leadership ready to push
Legislation started on the Senate side last year with bipartisan co-sponsors. The bill that creates 10 to 12 online licenses maintains the bipartisan momentum heading into the spring session.
“It is trending in the right direction,” Rep. Jon Hardister told The Fayetteville Observer, who also said if passed, sports betting could launch by the end of the year.
Lobbyist Ches McDowell told LSR he is “optimistic the bill will pass this session.”
North Carolina sports teams get sportsbooks
Professional sports teams in NC support the legislation, which includes language allowing for on-site sports betting lounges at stadiums.
The language will allow for sports betting at:
- PNC Arena
- Spectrum Center
- Bank of America Stadium
- Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Quail Hollow Club
North Carolina governor supports bill
Gov. Roy Cooper publicly supported sports betting in the past.
Polls in the state are split on how North Carolinians feel about sports betting.
In April, a WRAL News survey found 52% of respondents want online sports betting in North Carolina. A Spectrum News/IPSOS poll around the same time found just 36% of registered voters support online sports betting.
Some changes expected to North Carolina bill
Sources suggest there will be a few technical changes to the bill.
Also likely to change will be the tax rate, which is set at 8% heading into the session.
A change to the tax rate might come via a separate bill so the main bill does not need to return to the Senate.
North Carolina sports betting already legal
Retail sports betting is already legal in North Carolina, with two Caesars sportsbooks open at tribally owned casinos in the western part of the state.
Those sportsbooks opened in early 2021.
