The Tar Heel State heads into its second full yr of sports activities betting coming off of a profitable 2025 and a chance for gaming enlargement and adjustments in 2026.
North Carolina sports activities setting: Where issues stand
Online sports betting launched in March 2024, and North Carolina has developed into one among the prime 10 U.S. markets in phrases of deal with. Operators have since generated over $1 billion in gross income, which has led to over $200 million in tax income for the Tar Heel State.
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There are presently seven on-line sportsbooks working in North Carolina:
Retail sports activities betting was authorized by legislators in 2023, however statewide in-person wagering has by no means launched and seems to not be a necessity for operators and customers. There are three tribal casinos in North Carolina, which do home retail sportsbooks and reside desk video games and slots.
What’s subsequent?
North Carolina lawmakers launched a number of gaming-related payments in 2025 that would carry over to 2026.
Some legislators wish to be part of different authorized sports activities betting states which have prohibited school participant prop betting, one thing the NCAA has been clamoring for since 2024. The concept has gained little interest in the Tar Heel State however stays a hot-button subject.
State lawmakers have an interest in permitting bettors to deduct gambling losses on their revenue taxes, which is able to doubtless be revisited in 2026.
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Lawmakers additionally thought of doubling the tax price on on-line operators from 18% to 36% as a part of a $65 million state finances, however it in the end handed throughout the summer season with out the hike. Creating extra sports activities betting income might come up once more in 2026.
Pari-mutuel wagering got here near creation in North Carolina in 2025, however legislators nonetheless should cross a invoice that adjustments the language of the regulation earlier than horse racing will be adopted. The laws was launched in March 2025 and might nonetheless work its manner via in 2026.
There’s an opportunity that iGaming might change into a debated legislative subject in 2026. Nothing has been filed but, however with an extended session and sports activities betting tax income taking off, North Carolina might no less than discover bringing online casinos to the state.
In-person gaming will get a significant enhance when Two Kings Casino, positioned 35 miles outdoors of Charlotte, opens its new introductory gaming ground in the spring of 2026. The Catawba-run on line casino has been working out of a short lived, trailer-like constructing for a number of years. The improve will embrace 1,350 slots, 20 desk video games, and a rise in sports activities betting kiosks. The resort is below development with completion anticipated in 2027.
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Notes and quotes
“I don’t know that we or anyone else in North Carolina, maybe with the exception of horse racing, if it becomes legalized, will do anything like that because it doesn’t make sense to take up the space with a window.” – Hurricanes’ CEO Brian Fork.
“This (Two Kings) casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain. This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations.” – Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris.
“Sports betting tax revenue already generates millions each year for North Carolina. But a 100% increase? That could drive players to the illegal market, putting those funds – and consumer protections – at risk.” – The Sports Betting Alliance wrote in a petition to not elevate the tax price in N.C.
Year in assessment
Dec. 17, 2025: Daily fantasy sports activities operator Underdog stopped providing a conventional sportsbook in its solely sports activities betting market, citing a business decision.
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Nov. 12, 2025: North Carolina’s November betting handle was the market’s highest ever, and it grew to become the ninth U.S. state to put up an $800 million deal with month.
July 2, 2025: Charlotte’s WZGV-AM becomes the first local radio station devoted solely to sports activities betting, that includes nonstop VSiN programming and real-time playing evaluation.
May 20, 2025: The North Carolina House of Representatives was not on board with elevating the operator tax price in 2025.
Feb. 5, 2025: Sports bettors in North Carolina had been capable of place authorized wagers on the Super Bowl for the first time.
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