Sports betting in North Carolina could set records this fall.
Bettors wagered more than $691 million in September, the fourth-highest monthly total since legal sports wagering began in March 2024, according to data released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
In each year since betting was legalized, millions more have been bet in October and November than September. If trend continues, North Carolina could have its first $800-million month for paid wagering and could approach $1 billion in total wagering for a month for the first time.
September marked the 13th consecutive month that paid wagering has exceeded $500 million. Nearly two-thirds of North Carolina adults say they haven’t placed a legal sports bet in North Carolina, according to a recent WRAL/WSOC poll. That figure is in line with other polling of sports betting habits in the state. Fourteen percent of adults say they have bet five or more times since legalization with men, young adults and Black and Latino adults more likely to place bets than women, older adults and white adults, respectively.
Sports betting spikes during the fall when football kicks off and in March with the college basketball’s March Madness, according to multiple years of state data. North Carolina doesn’t release betting data by sport or operator. The NHL season also started in September this year with the Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes playing their season opener on Sept. 29.
The only months with more paid wagers than September were March ($705 million), October 2025 ($784 million) and November 2025 ($792 million).
September’s totals exceeded the marks from September 2025 and September 2024, a trend that extends for all months.
The state collected nearly $15 million in estimated taxes from the sportsbooks in September. State lawmakers increased the tax rate from 18% to 23%. In the three months since the rate hike, operators have paid more than $40 million in taxes.
The state has collected more than $349 million in taxes since the launch of sports betting in North Carolina. Bettors have wagered more than $17.4 billion in paid wagers and more than $18.2 billion in total wagers, which includes promotional and free bets. Bettors have been paid out $16.2 billion in winnings.
A recent WRAL investigative documentary, “The Gamble: Sports Betting in North Carolina,” examined the rapid rise of the industry and the growing concerns about its impact. The documentary explored how legalized sports betting quickly became a major source of revenue for North Carolina. The state has collected tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, far exceeding early projections, with funds supporting state programs, college athletics and initiatives aimed at addressing gambling addiction.
Source: www.wral.com
