Over $6 billion wagered in North Carolina’s first year of legal sports betting

North Carolina’s first year of legalized mobile sports betting has seen residents place an estimated $6.1 billion in wagers. The booming industry, taxed at 18% on gross wagering revenue, has already funneled more than $128 million into state coffers through February.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” said Rep. Zack Hawkins, as per Fox8 News. Hawkins is one of the primary sponsors of the legislation that brought mobile sports betting to North Carolina.

“Mainly managed a lot of where the revenue went to help make sure that all the dollars that we knew were coming could go to help best support other areas across the state," he added.

Under state law, $2 million in annual sports gambling revenue is earmarked for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to fund gambling addiction treatment and education programs. 

Since mobile betting launched last March, calls to the state’s problem gambling hotline jumped from 895 in 2023 to nearly 1,300 in 2024. There was also an increase of 89 calls between February and March, just before and after the launch.

Another $1 million each year funds North Carolina Amateur Sports, which supports youth sports programs. More than $700,000 has already been awarded, helping schools and parks departments rebuild after Hurricane Helene, the report noted.

“They had to completely rebuild everything after they left," Hawkins said. "To know that the revenue put in place, the revenue sharing that we put in place was able to help, just lets you know that we’re doing the right thing."

An additional $1 million annually goes to the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission. Other funds are allocated to state universities and the Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund.