North Carolina’s 2024 mobile launch created an instant test of demand in a major college-sports state. Monthly releases from the NC State Lottery Commission provide verified readouts on handle, GGR, and taxes during the ramp. Our breakdown lets you chart NC’s trajectory from day one, and compare it to other recent launches.
NC Revenue Insights
NC Handle High
$66.8M GGR
$12M in Taxes
8 Licensed Sportsbooks
Sports Betting in North Carolina
North Carolina launched legal online sports betting on March 11, 2024, expanding beyond its previous retail-only framework at tribal casinos. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission regulates the market and allows multiple licensed operators to offer online wagering statewide. Taxed at 18% of gross gaming revenue, sports betting proceeds are allocated to the state’s General Fund, youth sports programs, and gambling addiction education and treatment initiatives. Despite being a relatively new market, North Carolina has quickly become one of the more active sports betting states in the Southeast, benefiting from its large population base and strong sports culture.
Want to learn about the best sportsbook options? Check out our in-depth North Carolina sportsbook reviews.
Annual Sports Betting Growth in North Carolina
Data is pulled directly from the North Carolina State Lottery Commission Annual Reports
Source:
RG
Monthly Sports Betting Growth in North Carolina
Data is pulled directly from the North Carolina State Lottery Commission Monthly Reports
Source:
RG
North Carolina Sports Betting Revenue Performance
North Carolina entered the online sports betting market in March 2024 and has since posted steady growth. The table below shows 2024 totals alongside the 2025 monthly breakdown.
| Year/Month | Handle | GGR | Hold % | Tax Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,357,547,407 | $583,645,811 | 10.88% | $105,056,250 |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2025 | $646,942,020 | $74,530,133 | 11.52% | $13,415,424 |
| Feb 2025 | $543,402,737 | $55,658,912 | 10.24% | $10,018,604 |
| Mar 2025 | $685,003,031 | $38,140,361 | 5.57% | $6,865,265 |
| Apr 2025 | $576,209,378 | $46,803,712 | 8.12% | $8,424,668 |
| May 2025 | $547,812,855 | $65,227,119 | 11.91% | $11,740,881 |
| Jun 2025 | $433,184,675 | $58,071,308 | 13.41% | $10,452,835 |
| Jul 2025 | $370,385,588 | $25,748,624 | 6.95% | $4,634,752 |
| Aug 2025 | $463,849,063 | $54,110,076 | 11.67% | $9,739,814 |
| Sept 2025 | $654,096,849 | $66,763,867 | 10.21% | $12,017,496 |
Latest Updates
- July 16, 2025 – North Carolina secured the 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, supported by a $2 million grant from the state’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund, financed through sports betting revenue. This marks the third major event funded by the initiative and signals broader economic opportunities driven by legalization. [Office of the Governor]
- April 15, 2025 – A budget proposal included a plan to double the sports betting tax rate from 18% to 36%, redirecting a significant portion to athletic departments at UNC and NC State. The measure would channel up to $31 million annually to those universities. [Carolina Journal]
- February 11, 2025 - North Carolina State Lottery Commission announces that the state's sports betting revenue rose 100% in January 2025 from December 2024 [InterGame, 2025]
- February 10, 2025 - State representative Erin Paré files a bill proposing that citizens gain the ability to deduct gambling losses on their state tax return. [CBS17, 2025]
- March 11, 2024 - North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper places the state's first online bet on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup. [Governor.NC.Gov, 2024]
- March 5, 2024 - FanDuel becomes the official sportsbook of the Carolina Panthers before online sports betting launches in the state. [Flutter, 2024]
North Carolina Snapshot
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | Approximately 10.97 million residents as of 2024. (World Population Review, 2025) |
| Political Affiliation | North Carolina is considered a swing state, but it recently voted Republican in the presidential election. (270towin.com, 2025) |
| Year Sports Betting Legalized | Online sports betting went live in March 2024 after in-person betting had been made available in 2021. [CBS Sports, 2023] |
| Number of Sportsbooks Operating | There are eight sportsbooks available in North Carolina: FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, and Underdog Sportsbook. |
| Professional Sports Teams | North Carolina has a number of professional sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), and Charlotte FC (MLS). |
FAQs
General Questions
When did sports betting become legal in North Carolina?
Sports betting became legal at tribal casinos in 2021 and expanded to online platforms in March 2024.
How much revenue did North Carolina's sportsbooks generate in 2024?
North Carolina sportsbooks generated $583.6 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2024.
What is the tax rate on sports betting revenue in North Carolina?
The state imposes an 18% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue from sports betting.
How is the tax revenue from sports betting distributed?
Funds are allocated to state programs, youth and collegiate sports, the Major Events Fund, and the General Fund.
