North Carolina Lawmakers Are Optimistic About Sports Betting Legalization in 2022

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: June 1, 2022

In May 2022, the lawmakers in North Carolina convened for an abbreviated legislative session in the Raleigh Capital. Though the year is an even year with shortened assembly, the officials in the state believe they’ve been able to get substantial support to finish up the gaming effort and get it to the desk of the governor, Gov. Roy Cooper.

The Senate and the House of Representatives in North Carolina are scheduled to meet on June 30 before the final adjournment for the year. Even though the 2022 session lasted for about a month and a half, the legislators said they are confident the odds are in their favor and that sports betting will soon get liberty from the tribal lands. Bookmark our dedicated North Carolina page to stay up to date with the current gambling situation in NC.

Speaking with WRAL, Sen. Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) said he is confident of the move, and all that is remaining is to make sure that votes are in.

Forsyth has been the forerunner of the sports betting bill, which got to the Senate last summer. Senate Bill 688 will welcome about 12 online sportsbook operators into the state. However, the bill has been stuck with the House of Representatives as the lawmakers in the lower chambers are concerned about the potential negative impact the bill will have on society.

The Commercial Gaming Difficult

Currently, in North Carolina, casino gambling is confined to tribal casinos that are owned by the Catawba Indian Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Together with table games and slot machines, the state amended the tribal Class III gaming compacts in 2019 to accommodate sports betting on sovereign lands.

Since then, sports betting has started at Cherokee Valley River and Cherokee Casino Resort of Harrah, which is in the Southwestern part of the state. Also, the Two Kings Casino Resort, worth $273 million sitting west of Charlotte, is expected to host sports betting when Catawbas open the casino next year.

Currently, two of the neighboring states of North Carolina – Virginia and Tennessee – have legalized sports betting and the other two, South Carolina and Georgia have not.

Second Try

Speaking with WRAL, Lowe added that the sports betting bill he sponsored in 2021 will be reintroduced in the 2022 sessions.

In the bill that passed the state’s senate last year, it was proposed that the licensing fee will cost $500,000 upfront per mobile operator who got approval. The annual renewal is also set at $100,000. Also, Lowe suggested that the state should charge a gross tax of 8% on the sports betting revenue.

Even though the majority of the sports betting will be facilitated online, within the bill sponsored by Lowe, professional sports arenas and stadiums of at least 17,000 capacities will be able to offer on-site retail sports betting. Some other sports venues like the golf course that will be hosting the official PGA Tour event will also qualify for the retail betting privileges. These venues and stadiums are expected to partner with the licensed sportsbook firm.

Lowe, however, confirms that tweaks will be made to the bill once it is passed.