North Carolina (September 3, 2023) — On June 14, Gov. Roy Cooper signed the bipartisan and divisive House Bill 347, titled “Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering.”
HB374 permits up to 12 online sports wagering operators.
Those companies will pay $1 million for a five-year license. Horse racing advance-deposit wagering platforms will pay $1 million for their licenses as well.
Legislative analysis of HB347 projected about $40 million initially in annual tax revenue and exceeding $100 million by 2029.
Last week the N.C. State Lottery Commission took its next step to establishing mobile sports betting by hiring a gaming consultant.
Gaming Laboratories International, a Massachusetts-based firm focused on testing and certification in the gaming industry, will assist with establishing sports betting regulation in North Carolina by the current June 14 deadline.
The commission also has posted a request for proposal for an enterprise regulatory system that will allow potential licensees to apply for a license online and manage licensing and regulatory requirements and structures throughout the life of a license. Responses are due by Wednesday.
Gaming Laboratories will support the commission in several key areas of operations, including rule-making, licensing procedures, development of an audit program and risk control.
In the past year, Gaming Laboratories has assisted Kentucky, Massachusetts and Vermont with launching sports betting in those states.
The commission’s goal “is to make sure wagering on sports and horse racing gets up and running in an effective and appropriate manner as soon as possible.”
The commission has been given authority to draft and adopt rules and regulations to govern sports betting and horse racing wagering activities, including requirements to support responsible betting.
Some elements of HB347 are scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 8 — the date of the 2024 College Football Playoff championship game.
