NC Sports Betting Bill Gets Senate Vote

A Senate committee cleared an NC sports betting bill. It overcame objections from social conservatives who argued that legal sports wagering would result in gambling addicts.

Senator Jim Perry sponsored the bill. He said that many residents are already betting on sports via their smartphones and computers. Also, many people use offshore betting sites and traditional bookies. Thus, it made sense to regulate sports betting to promote transparency. In addition, the state would generate additional income that can fund various programs.

According to gambling news, residents are already betting on sports. However, the activity is unregulated and untaxed by the state. As a result, Senator Perry doesn’t understand why people oppose the legalization of sports wagering in the state.

NC Sports Betting Bill

As per the National Conference of State Legislatures, twenty states and the District of Columbia offer games wagering. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recently opened nearby wagering activities at two far western North Carolina casinos. Interest has taken off cross country after a 2019 US High Court choice made room for each state to authorize sports wagering.

According to a political forum, the bipartisan bill would allow the North Carolina Education Lottery commission to issue 10 to 12 sports betting licenses. Also, the state could provide supplier licenses for online bookie software providers. The candidates would be dependent upon criminal record verifications. They could offer wagering on school, proficient and some novice sports, including game results and others not founded on definite scores.

Likewise, the administrators could set up an in-person wagering area inside or close to a pro athletics field, like the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, or during professional golf events.

North Carolina would collect fees from sports betting licenses. The initial operator fee would be $500,000. Also, there would be an eight percent tax on sportsbooks’ gross revenues.