Lawmakers in the Carolinas are talking about bringing up sports betting in next year’s legislative session.
North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger last week told the Charlotte Observer: “This is an issue that’s on people’s minds, but I don’t know where our caucus stands, particularly the new members. I expect that the proper role for the state will be discussed as we enter the new session next year.”
Rep. John Hardister, the North Carolina House Majority Whip commented, “We need to (legalize) sports betting and create a framework to regulate it. I’ve talked to colleagues, and there is a willingness to address the issue. We need to study it and see what other states are doing.”
The issue doesn’t divide along party lines.
South Carolina is a bit further along in the process. A bill was introduced in 2017 that would have amended the state constitution to allow for betting on professional sports, but the legislative session ended before it a vote could be held on it.
House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford has promised to introduce legislation next year. According to Rutherford people in his state already illegally bet on their favorite teams. “Why not allow them to do legally what they’ve been doing illegally but tax them on it?” he told the Observer.
