Senate Passes Sports Betting Bill in NC
State senators in North Carolina gave final approval Thursday to a proposal that would allow mobile sports betting and in person wagering at approved facilities. Following the 26-19 vote, the measure moves to the House.
The North Carolina Lottery Commission would oversee sports betting should sports betting become legal in the state.
“I see this as a revenue bill,” said co-sponsor Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth. “Somebody said, ‘Well, it's gambling.’ Well, we already have gambling. We’ve got the lottery. It's here.”
The bill would also create a new fund to help attract major sporting events to the state.
Online gambling outlets would have to pay $500,000 for their initial license and then $100,000 annually to renew.
Sixteen Republicans voted against the bill in an initial vote Wednesday, while 10, including Berger, R-Rockingham, voted in favor of it.
Five Democrats voted no on the bill Wednesday, while 16 voted yes.
Should the bill pass the Senate and House and be signed into law, sports betting could begin in the state Jan. 1, 2022, or just in time for the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl. Gov. Roy Cooper publicly supported the legislation in an interview with WRAL.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
