Proponents of sports betting legislation in the North Carolina legislature came up one vote short of passage last year, but are feeling extremely optimistic that they will succeed in this session.
The reason for the optimism is that there are new members in the House and Senate.
Senate Bill 688, which should be introduced this week to lawmakers, would legalize sports wagering state-wide. Currently, wagers can be made in two Cherokee-owned casinos.
If the current bill passes, it would allow for sports betting to be available on mobile apps. It would also allow for retail sportsbooks at pro sports venues with a capacity of at least 17,000 and at PGA Tour events. There are three professional sports teams in the state that fit that criteria; the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
Governor Roy Cooper has long advocated for sports betting and said he would sign legislation if it came to his desk.
Senator Jim Perry, one of the sponsors of the bill, told the Carolina Journal that this is legislation that needs to be approved.
“Many North Carolinians bet on sports today, and keeping it illegal in parts of North Carolina unfairly criminalizes an activity that is legal in most other states,” Perry said. “Recent studies indicate sports betting would provide over $50 million for important state programs. I don’t bet on sports, and that was my decision to make. If an adult enjoys doing so, that should be their choice.”
