- The North Carolina House Commerce Committee passed SB 688, a bill to legalize and regulate mobile sports betting in the state, by a vote of 12-4 on Thursday.
- The bill passed in the North Carolina Senate in August, but has been placed on the backburner somewhat with redistricting efforts eating into resources.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Mobile sports betting in North Carolina is one step closer to becoming a reality after SB 688 passed in the North Carolina House Commerce Committee 12-4 on Thursday.
The bill was passed by the North Carolina Senate in August; however, a multitude of issues has kept it on the backburner in the House, which has been focused on redistricting efforts. If it is not passed in the 2021 legislative session, it will be towards the top of the priority list in the 2022 session.
Rep. Jason Saine, the sponsor of SB 688, is confident that mobile sports betting will eventually launch in NC.
“This issue will continue to come back to us, whether this bill rises or falls,” said Saine. “This issue will be out there in the next session and the next session.”
The bill would create 10 to 12 mobile sports betting licenses. The licensees would face an 8% tax on legal sports betting revenue. The bill would also allow for North Carolina’s professional sports venues (the Carolina Panthers’, Carolina Hurricanes’, and Charlotte Hornets’ stadiums plus the Charlotte Motor Speedway) to offer sports betting lounges.
Saine believes there is a fair bit of importance to the NC sports betting bill, as “it’s an issue with a lot of opinions and some people have strong opinions either way.”
“Sports wagering,” he continued, “most don’t know whether it’s legal or not.” He went on to say that it is “time to make North Carolina sports betting safe,” before adding that an estimated two million North Carolinians participate in illegal sports wagering due to the lack of suitable mobile options.
Advertising Disclosure
In order to provide you with the best independent sports betting news and content LegalSportsBetting.com may receive a commission from partners when you make a purchase through a link on our site.
News tags: Carolina Hurricanes | Carolina Panthers | Charlotte Hornets | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Jason Saine | North Carolina | North Carolina House Commerce Committee | SB 688
Jerad has been a welcomed addition to the LegalSportsBetting.com writing team. Covering topics regarding the expansion of sports betting in the US, Jerad focuses on legislative efforts, bill signings and other methods for sports betting legalization. Finishing his education as a college baseball player, Jerad has first-hand knowledge of competitive sports, paired with years of personal sports betting as well. As a political science major at the University of Central Florida, Jerad covers the political, legal, and legislative aspects of sports gambling without any issues.
College Football Betting
Best Online Sports Betting
Best Legal NFL Betting
States With Legal Sports Betting
Sports Betting Events
