Legal North Carolina betting sites began accepting wagers on March 11, 2024 after Gov. Roy Cooper signed North Carolina's online sports betting bill, HB 347, into law on June 14, 2023.
North Carolina has permitted legal retail sports betting since Gov. Cooper signed S 154 into law in 2019. However, the first legal wager wasn't placed until 2021, when the Eastern Band of Cherokee introduced North Carolina sportsbooks at two physical casinos. Catawba Two Kings Casino opened a third sportsbook in 2022.
North Carolina sports betting revenue
North Carolina is the latest state to legalize online sports betting. North Carolina sports betting began on March 11, 2024.
Another month, another handle record in the Tar Heel State.
Below is an outline of North Carolina's sports betting figures over the years:
North Carolina annual data
| Year 📅 | Handle 💵 | Gross revenue 💰 | Hold % (average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,590,083,000 | $665,024,614 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | $5,417,556,359 | $583,645,838 | 10.8% |
North Carolina 2025 monthly data
| Month 📅 | Handle 💵 | Gross revenue 💰 | Hold % (average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | $646,942,020 | $74,530,133 | 11.5% |
| Feb | $525,971,104 | $55,658,912 | 10.6% |
| Mar | $685,003,031 | $38,140,361 | 5.6% |
| Apr | $576,209,378 | $46,803,712 | 8.1% |
| May | $562,236,652 | $65,227,119 | 11.6% |
| June | $433,184,675 | $58,071,308 | 13.4% |
| July | $370,385,588 | $22,679,993 | 6.1% |
| Aug | $478,665,552 | $54,110,076 | 11.3% |
| Sept | $686,075,000 | $70,928,000 | 10.3% |
| Oct | $811,436,000 | $82,470,000 | 10.1% |
| Nov | $813,974,000 | $96,405,000 | 11.8% |
North Carolina 2024 monthly data
| Month 📅 | Handle 💵 | Gross revenue 💰 | Hold % (average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar | $659,308,541 | $66,496,213 | 10.1% |
| Apr | $648,934,226 | $105,251,672 | 16.2% |
| May | $525,548,571 | $63,080,347 | 12.0% |
| June | $398,251,464 | $40,302,263 | 10.1% |
| July | $340,375,353 | $42,226,040 | 12.4% |
| Aug | $370,484,774 | $33,751,015 | 9.1% |
| Sept | $575,398,078 | $70,062,945 | 12.2% |
| Oct | $612,046,491 | $48,659,761 | 8.0% |
| Nov | $638,659,604 | $78,097,705 | 12.2% |
| Dec | $629,520,784 | $35,717,877 | 5.7% |
North Carolina sports betting at a glance
- Launch date: March 2024
- Regulator: North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC)
- Latest reported month: September 2025
- Lifetime handle: $11,142,446,445
- Lifetime revenue: $1,143,769,882
- Last updated: December 24, 2025
Note: North Carolina reports sports betting revenue on a monthly basis. Figures below reflect combined online and retail wagering unless otherwise specified by the regulator.
About sports betting revenue in North Carolina
North Carolina entered the regulated sports betting landscape in 2023, with online and mobile wagering officially launching in March 2024 under the authority of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
Unlike many states that expanded outward from casinos, North Carolina’s sports betting market was designed as a digital-first product from day one. Online and mobile sportsbooks form the core of the market, while retail betting is limited to select locations tied to existing gaming facilities. This structure reflects the state’s emphasis on controlled expansion rather than broad physical sportsbook access.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission publishes official sports wagering data on a monthly basis, outlining statewide betting handle, gross gaming revenue, and tax contributions. These reports provide early insight into market adoption and operator performance as the state’s betting ecosystem continues to mature.
Because North Carolina is still in the early stages of market development — and operates without the dense casino infrastructure seen in legacy gambling states — its sports betting figures are best viewed through the lens of market adoption, bettor behavior, and growth trajectory, rather than as direct comparables to long-established or high-volume jurisdictions.
How to read revenue numbers
- Handle represents the total amount wagered by bettors during the month.
- Revenue reflects sportsbook winnings after payouts, before expenses.
- Hold is calculated as revenue divided by handle, expressed as a percentage.
Monthly revenue can fluctuate significantly due to seasonality, betting mix, and the outcomes of major sporting events.
Best North Carolina teams to bet on
There are a handful of local NC teams to bet across three major North American leagues — including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Hurricanes. The North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils stand out in a crowded NCAA landscape as two of the most successful and storied programs. Check out our how to bet guides for a crash course in sharp wagering.
North Carolina sporting events
Keep an eye out for upcoming events in NC that offer plenty of betting opportunities:
🏈 College Football & Basketball
- Duke vs. UNC Men’s Basketball: One of the most heated rivalries in all of sports, played twice a year and often with national title implications.
- ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament: The Atlantic Coast Conference championship, with a deep history in NC venues.
- Belk Bowl / Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Charlotte): An annual college football bowl game with a growing reputation.
- North Carolina–NC State Football Rivalry: A long-standing in-state gridiron battle.
🏎 Motorsports
- Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte Motor Speedway): NASCAR’s longest race, held every Memorial Day weekend.
- Bank of America ROVAL 400: NASCAR playoff race featuring Charlotte’s unique “roval” road course.
- NHRA Four-Wide Nationals (zMAX Dragway, Concord): Major drag racing event.
⛳ Golf
- Wyndham Championship (Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro): A PGA Tour event with roots going back to 1938.
- U.S. Open / U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst: Pinehurst No. 2 is a legendary course that’s hosted multiple major championships.
Covers and credibility
We have had our finger on the pulse of the sports betting industry for more than 25 years. The sports betting revenue figures and statistics found here have been personally reviewed, verified, and fact-checked to ensure their validity.
News outlets turn to Covers for our earned reputation as a trusted and authoritative source of sports betting information. These are among the notable publications and media outlets that have referenced Covers.com and our industry experts.
More industry resources
As states continue to authorize legal sports betting — now 38 states plus DC, consult these informational websites for additional information on the sports betting industry:
- American Gaming Association (AGA): Organization dedicated to advancing the gambling industry's interests by promoting, educating, and advocating for responsible gambling.
- Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA): Supreme Court of the United States ruling.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Those seeking help for a gambling problem can call 1-800-GAMBLER toll-free, 24/7.
Related sports betting revenue coverage
U.S. Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
Monthly Sports Betting Revenue by State: Arizona | Arkansas | Colorado | Connecticut | DC | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Missouri | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Tennessee | Vermont | Virginia | West Virginia | Wyoming
Sports betting revenue tracker FAQ
The sports that generate the most sports betting revenue can vary depending on factors such as the sport's popularity, the betting market's size, and the timing and frequency of significant events. Football stands as the most popular sport for betting in the United States, with the NFL generating the highest revenue. The Super Bowl alone is one of the world's most-watched and bet-on sporting events. Basketball is also a popular sport for betting, particularly in the United States where the NBA lays claim to the top basketball league in the world.
Sports betting revenue varies greatly depending on the region, market, and size of the industry. However, in many jurisdictions, sports betting can generate significant revenue and contribute to the overall economy. Compared to other industries, sports betting revenue may not be as significant. For example, in 2020, the global video game industry was estimated to generate over $159 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, the global film industry was estimated to generate over $100 billion in revenue in 2020.
The popularity of select sports events cannot be overlooked, with the Super Bowl and World Cup among the largest betting events in the globe. Betting odds and lines also greatly impact the amount of revenue generated by sports betting. Other factors include technological advancements, including the live streaming of events.
The future of sports betting revenue hinges on additional markets legalizing sports betting, via mobile betting, land-based, or a combination of both. An uptick in legal U.S. markets will trigger increased revenues, while new bet trends including same game parlays and in-game wagering, unlocks more opportunities for customers.
Online sports betting has significantly impacted sports betting revenue, notably in states where it is legal and regulated. The rise of online sports betting has facilitated the customer experience, allowing people to place bets remotely or in-person from the event itself, leading to increased revenue for sportsbooks. Betting site operators can also reach a much larger audience and customer-base. Overall customer convenience plays a large part in driving up sports betting revenue.
Gross revenue represents the total amount of money a sportsbook takes in from all customer bets, and it includes the total value of all bets placed, regardless of whether the bets won or lost. In other words, gross revenue is the total amount of money a sportsbook earns from its customers. Net revenue, conversely, is the amount of money a sportsbook earns after deducting all its operating expenses. This includes things like salaries, rent, marketing expenses, and other costs associated with running the sportsbook. Net revenue is the profit a sportsbook makes from its operations.
Major sports events including the Super Bowl and World Cup have a significant impact on sports betting revenue. These events garner a lot of attention from fans, which leads to increased betting activity and higher revenue for sportsbooks. The Super Bowl alone is the largest single-day betting event on the sporting calendar, which generates millions of dollars in revenue for sportsbooks.
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