North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Bill Still Alive But Pushback Remains
A bill to legalize mobile sports betting in North Carolina remains alive. However, some lawmakers are still pushing back on the issue.
North Carolina mobile sports betting hanging on
Former Olympic swimmer-turned State. Rep. Marcia Morey told the Charlotte Observer,
“Money is the god of everything. Let’s keep that out of sports.”
Currently, the Tar Hill State only permits retail sports betting by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
However, SB 688 would legalize mobile sports betting, allowing customers to place bets from anywhere in the state.
Speaking with the Charlotte Observer, Rep. Jason Saine had this to say:
“I do think it’s going to move. I’ve got a pretty good vote count where I think we’ll have the votes.”
North Carolina Governor’s support
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is also in support of NC online sports betting.
“It’s here whether we like it or not,” Copper said in a recent podcast.
Cooper
continued by saying:
“The issue is, will North Carolina try to be on the cutting edge for the technology jobs and other employment that it will create and plus be able to get state taxpayers their cut, or are we just gonna let it happen all around us?”
States with legal sports betting are slowly surrounding North Carolina. Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee have either retail, mobile, or both.
If lawmakers can get a bill across the finish line, there is a chance for the state to have 10-12 online operators. Additionally, North Carolina would tax betting revenue at 8%.
By comparison, Virginia has a tax of 15% on betting revenue, while Tennessee has a 20% tax rate.
In November, Saine said he didn’t envision the bill changing.
“We have an agreement in the Senate,” Saine said. “I’m always open if someone has a better idea. I haven’t heard any better ideas.”
Lawmakers in North Carolina are still in session through February 18. The legislative session reconvenes on May 5 and runs through June 30.
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