Sports Betting

Legal online sports betting in North Carolina is poised to begin in March on the eve of the region's beloved Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament.

Prospects that another expansion of gambling in North Carolina will be included in a state government budget look unclear after House Republicans gauged support in their caucus.

When asked to evaluate the chances that legislation allowing some combination of new gambling would reach Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's desk this summer within or separate from a budget agreement, Phil Berger replied: “I’d say better than 50-50."

The Democratic governor held a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday at Spectrum Center, home to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. It could house one of several anticipated sportsbooks allowed at or near professional sports venues as part of the law.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly gave final approval to the legislation on Wednesday with a House vote. The Senate OK'd the measure last week. Cooper is expected to sign the measure, which would offer betting on professional, college and Olympic-style sports to adults starting in the next six to 12 months.

The state Senate voted 38-11 Wednesday to legalize online sports betting and betting on horse races in North Carolina and took a final vote Thursday.

Legislation to authorize and regulate sports gambling in North Carolina that passed the House earlier this spring has been altered by the Senate.

State lawmakers are expected to legalize online sports betting this year. But it’s not the only change they’re considering making to gambling laws.

Get ready for some familiar issues from 2022 — including whether to approve Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana, and sports gambling.

It was a busy week in Raleigh and on Capitol Hill. The NC General Assembly failed to advance a sports gambling measure, or some to any agreement on Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a century-old gun law out of New York, as U.S. Senators approved a narrow set of gun reforms. Rob Schofield and Clark Riemer discuss in our weekly politics review.Note: this segment was recorded prior to the SCOTUS ruling ending the constitutional right to abortion