New attempt for sports betting to be legalized in North Carolina

Sports Betting Bill Introduced Again Laws & Regulations

Sports Betting Bill Introduced Again in North Carolina

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 25 March 2023

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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It has been revealed that efforts to legalize sports betting have been launched again in North Carolina. They resumed during the General Assembly’s ‘long session’, which takes place during odd-numbered years and spans seven months. This comes after sports betting suffered a narrow defeat in 2022 in the House of Representatives after making it through the Senate.

This time around, however, many believe that these efforts will finally be rewarded. With a number of new faces and fresh perspectives in the General Assembly, there are high hopes that the bill will be passed, and that North Carolina can finally start to reap the rewards of sports betting. There are more than two dozen new representatives and a dozen new senators.

Republican leaders believe that this is the right time to push forward with sports betting in the state, and they now control both Assembly chambers. While sports betting failed last year mostly due to moral issues, supporters have said that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

According to supporters, legalizing sports betting will help to reduce illegal sports betting activity and black market betting, it will boost finances for the state, and will give consumers more options when it comes to betting. It also means that consumers will be better protected because they can wager through legal and regulated sportsbooks.

The Support of Both Chambers

The narrow defeat last year came as a disappointment to many, but it is believed that there are now fresh minds that can look at sports betting from a new perspective.

Senate president pro tempore Phil Berger said:

It is something that I believe has the support of both chambers. It is something the public overall supports. If you have a telephone, you already have access to it. You’re not supposed to, but it’s there.

While lawmakers last year had their reasons for rejecting sports betting in the state, it is hoped that the newer faces will be more open to it.

At present, the state is very limited when it comes to gambling facilities and opportunities. While it has three tribal casinos, there are no commercial gambling properties, iGaming facilities, or sports betting in North Carolina.

The launch of House Bill 347 by representatives Jason Saine, John Bell, Zack Hawkins, and Ashton Wheeler Clemmons brings fresh hope to the many who support sports betting and want it to be legalized.

10 to 12 Licenses Proposed

If the bill is successful, online sportsbook operators will be able to apply for licenses to operate in the state. The number of licenses will be between 10 and 12 according to the sports betting law. The bill would also allow people to place bets on both professional and college sporting events.

At present, there are 40 representatives in favor of the sports betting bill. However, another 21 are needed for the statute to be passed. Zack Hawkins said that he was confident that the bill would be successful this year, adding that this was the right time for sports betting in North Carolina.