In North Carolina, state Senator Jim Perry is trying to convince his colleagues to pass a measure to legalize and regulate online sports betting. Perry estimates the bets could generate $40 million to $50 million in annual revenue for the state.
“We continue to have conversations. It’s complicated. Members were shocked when we showed them how easy it is to download an app or go on a website and actually open an account and place a bet. They didn’t know that was occurring already,” Perry said.
He explained rather than raise property taxes in the eastern North Carolina communities he represents, it makes more sense to tax online betting sites operating illegally in North Carolina.
Perry, a Republican, has the agreement of Democratic Governor Roy Cooper on the issue. “With the internet, people are doing it and it’s very difficult for law enforcement to stop it. So, we might as well control it and get the revenue from it,” Cooper stated during a recent radio interview.
Legal sports wagering is available on-site at the recently opened Book at the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians’ Harrah’s Cherokee casinos. The Catawba Nation also will offer a sportsbook at its Three Kings Casino, still under construction in Kings Mountain.
But Cooper said the time has come for regulated online sports betting. He said, “I think having the state control it and being able to get some of the revenue to invest in education and health care and some of the things that we need to do would be good, as long as we put the guardrails that are there.”
Perry said he’s optimistic but not certain Perry’s sports betting bill will pass this session. He noted his own mother opposes it. In behind-the-scenes negotiations, Perry said some of his colleagues raised concerns about state government getting involved in sports wagering. Others expressed concerns about problem gambling. Perry said a public hearing on the sports betting bill is likely to take place in August.
