North Carolina allows retail sports betting at the two Harrah’s Cherokee casinos, owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Now a bill legalizing online and mobile sports betting, SB 688, introduced by state Rep. Jason Saine in 2021, appears to have a good chance of passing in the House this year. “I do think it’s going to move. I’ve got a pretty good vote count where I think we’ll have the votes,” Saine said.
The 2021 state legislative session technically still is in session, but it’s unlikely lawmakers will discuss anything besides redistricting before the 2021 session adjourns soon. Observers said the sports wagering bill, which passed the Senate in 2021, will be taken up in the House the legislature reconvenes in mid-May.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has said he supports online sports betting. “It’s here, whether we like it or not. The issue is, will North Carolina try to be on the cutting edge for the technology jobs and other employment that it will create, plus be able to get state taxpayers their cut, or are we just gonna let it happen all around us? I think it’s time for North Carolina to step up and do this,” he said.
Cooper noted certain stakeholders want the current proposed 8 percent tax rate on adjusted gaming revenue to be increased. Neighboring Virginia taxes mobile sports betting revenue at 15 percent and Tennessee has a tax rate of 20 percent.
Speaking against online sports betting, state Rep. Marcia Morey, a former Olympic swimmer, said, “Money is the god of everything. Let’s keep that out of sports.” Several other legislators and stakeholders also expressed concern about the negative impact of gambling, including addiction. But Cooper said many people become addicted to gambling because of illegal, black-market sportsbooks, so regulating the industry and offering problem gambling services offer a good long-term solution for the industry.
