A new bill is being introduced in North Carolina with the goal of launching nationwide mobile sports betting. NC. Lawmakers attempted to offer mobile betting to its residents in 2022, but ultimately that measure failed by a vote. This new bill will reportedly be similar to last year’s bill and will be backed by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Online sports betting in North Carolina could be a reality
Bill sponsor Rep. Jason Saine was one of the reps pushing for mobile betting in North Carolina in 2022. Saine believes there is a more positive sentiment towards the local mobile market this time. Retail sports betting is already available in tribal casinos in North Carolina. This measure is an extension of the current betting market.
“That’s going to be something that’s legitimate in the state, something that we can see,” Saine said. “We can create some transparency and see where the money is going. I think that’s best for everyone.”
The reason for the optimism about this year’s measure is a changing of the guard at the General Assembly. After last year’s election, the new representatives seem more supportive of an expanded betting market in Tar Heel State.
Online sports betting in North Carolina is estimated to generate up to $24 million in annual revenue, according to analysis. Other estimates place annual sales in excess of $50 million. North Carolina is a strong sports state with popular professional and collegiate teams that would produce bettors all year round.
In particular, the conversation about college bets became a point of contention during last year’s push. While college bets were ultimately eliminated from the final bill, they will be included in the 2023 measure.
“Because if you’ve got college sports betting, it’s really almost useless at that point to pass it on because you’re still sending all the earnings out to another state,” Saine continued. So it’s really a stupid approach to do it that way.”
supporters and opponents of the bill
One of the biggest proponents of mobile sports betting in North Carolina is Governor Cooper. Cooper has previously stated that he would sign a sports betting law if passed by the chambers. He is also confident that the measure will pass this time.
“I think it will pass from what I hear. We’re working to get good legislation that’s fair to taxpayers but also recognizes something that’s going on anyway,” Cooper said. “We might as well get some benefit out of it for our schools and our state.”
The residents also seem to be in favor of a legalized mobile phone market. A recent poll released by Meredith College showed that 47% of likely voters support mobile betting in North Carolina. 34% are against, while 19% said they didn’t know.
Despite the optimism for new legislation, there are still those in office who oppose expanded betting. House Rep. Pricey Harrison voted against the 2022 measure. She has been vocal in opposing mobile betting in NC. Instead, she advocates expanding retail betting to local stadiums.
“It’s an interesting mix of super-progressives and super-conservatives who are concerned about the impact this might have on our state. And I think that coalition is still there and it’s still going strong,” she said in a recent interview. “I don’t want us all to be glassy thinking that this is going to be a great revenue stream for our state because it’s not going to be.”
Even if those are opposed to the betting surge in Tar Heel State, North Carolina residents should still be cautiously optimistic that their betting market will expand soon.
