North Carolina-based radio station WZGV-AM is introducing a rebrand, swapping "ESPN Charlotte 730 The Game" for "InsideTheGame.bet." This positions the media outlet as the region's first radio station focused exclusively on sports betting. The station partnered with VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, to deliver continuous 24/7 sports betting programming.
Key Takeaways
- WZGV-AM rebrands as InsideTheGame.bet, airing 24/7 VSiN sports betting content.
- A year has passed since Musburger Media reacquired VSiN from DraftKings.
- VSiN now has 350 radio affiliates across 46 US states.
The rebranding is another milestone in VSiN's national expansion. The network now reaches 350 radio affiliates across 46 states, encompassing nearly 90% of US radio listeners. Expansion into Charlotte's No. 25 media market is reflective of VSiN's strategic aim to unite more mainstream listeners with the rising demand for actionable betting intelligence.
“This new format is unlike anything in the market," said Mario Washington, General Manager at WZGV-AM. "Leveraging premier sports betting content from VSiN, WZGV-AM InsideTheGame.bet will be Charlotte’s sports information station. With the gold standard in sports betting content, we can give listeners the real-time news and analysis they need to make more informed wagers – straight from the sports betting capital of the world in Las Vegas."
VSiN CEO Bill Adee said Charlotte is an ideal market for the network due to its sports-focused culture. North Carolina online sportsbooks launched in March 2024. 730-AM and 97.5-FM audiences now listen to VSiN's complete programming schedule, including live odds reports and sport-by-sport wagering commentary.
The station broadcasts football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and the professional and collegiate leagues of each.
VSiN returns to Musburger media ownership
VSiN's launch in Charlotte is about a year after an ownership change. In July 2024, Musburger Media reacquired VSiN from DraftKings, reversing the $70 million sale that closed in 2021. The deal brought the sports betting network back to co-founders Brian Musburger and Bill Adee.
The network first launched in 2017 by Brent Musburger and family before the federal laws around sports betting changed, and it grew quickly with the proliferation of online gambling.
NC budget attempts to double sports betting tax
While North Carolina’s radio landscape is changing to become more welcoming to sports betting, North Carolina is considering increasing taxes on North Carolina online sportsbooks. A Senate budget proposal aims to raise the current flat tax rate of 18% to 36%, which would make the state one of the highest-taxing states in the US in terms of sports betting.
If approved, North Carolina would match Pennsylvania at a 36% rate and only trail New York, New Hampshire, and Delaware, at 50% or above. Illinois, however, has a sliding scale that tops out at 40% for high-handle operations like FanDuel and DraftKings.
The budget plan anticipates an extra $53.4 million in tax revenues in budget year 2025-26 and $79.8 million in budget year 2026-27. It also increases the portion of betting tax revenues that will be allocated to the University of North Carolina System schools.
