The short North Carolina legislative session will conclude June 30. Until then, observers wonder if the House will approve SB 688, which would legalize mobile sports betting. The bill passed the Senate in 2021, but has not yet been discussed in the House Judiciary Committee, where it arrived on May 18. The measure must move through other committees before it reaches the House floor.
The legislation would allow 10 to 12 online sports betting operators and tax revenue at 8 percent. Besides casinos, professional sports facilities, racetracks and Professional Golf Association (PGA) courses could offer online wagering. Currently, retail sports betting is only available at the two Harrah’s Cherokee casinos.
State Rep. Jason Saine, who has been attempting to move the bill through the House, said, “It’s conceivable sports betting could begin, if not by the first of football season, certainly by mid-season. There might be a couple games already played, but I do think everyone who is involved in it has known something might be coming. It’s not a shock to anyone.”
If the bill gets approved in the legislature, Governor Roy Cooper has indicated he would sign it.
