North Carolina Sports Betting
Mobile/Online Limited Kiosks
State Market Snapshot
Authorized Operators
FanDuel DraftKings BetMGM bet365 Caesars Sportsbook Fanatics Sportsbook theScore Bet
Market Notes
- Handle and growth: North Carolina generated approximately $7.27 billion in total sports betting handle for calendar year 2025 (strong double-digit growth from 2024). The market continues performing well in 2026 with solid monthly volumes (e.g., January ~$687M, March ~$726M, April ~$594M). It remains one of the stronger Eastern U.S. markets, driven by heavy mobile usage and interest in NFL, college football, and basketball.
- Market split: Mobile dominates with 99%+ of total handle across 7–8 online skins (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics, and others). Retail remains minimal (<1%) at the three tribal casinos (Harrah’s Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, Catawba Two Kings).
- Hold and tax: Statewide hold has averaged 9–11% recently. Operators pay an 18% tax on adjusted gross revenue, generating roughly $133 million in tax revenue for 2025 (with continued strong collections in 2026). Revenue supports UNC System athletics, youth sports, addiction programs, major events fund, and the general fund.
- Regulatory note: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission oversees the market. Lawmakers are actively discussing a potential tax rate increase from 18% to 20–30% in 2026 budget talks. Enforcement against offshore operators continues. The competitive mobile-heavy market remains stable, with occasional operator exits and new responsible gaming measures under consideration.