North Carolina Will Try Again to Pass Sports Mobile Betting Bill

A bipartisan group of lawmakers are looking to try once again at getting sports betting passed in the Tar Heel State. A bill filed in the North Carolina House Monday would legalize online sports gambling across North Carolina.

House Bill 347, filed by Rep. Jason Saine of Lincoln County, would allow for wagering to begin on January 1. 2024.

Last year, a similar bill failed to pass by a single vote.

Now lawmakers believe there are enough votes to get the newly introduced legislation passed with some of the concerns from last year addressed in the bill.

"It is something I believe has the support of both chambers," Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger said in January. "It is something the public overall supports. If you have a telephone, you already have access to it. You're not supposed to, but it's there."

Those opposed have mostly cited moral grounds.

"This bill is a bipartisan bill and we've learned a good bit from both sides about some of the tweaks that needed to happen," Saine told WRAL-TV in Raleigh. "We've worked to accommodate those concerns, and we believe we have a bill that can do better than pass. It can get broad support from both caucuses."

The sports betting measure allows for up to a dozen operators to be licensed for five years with $1 million renewable licenses to take bets. Sports betting would be taxed at 14%.

Pro sports teams in North Carolina have backed prior legislation.  Gov. Roy Cooper has said he would sign the bill.

Currently sports betting is only available at three tribal casinos.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com