Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON
Senate legislation to authorize and regulate sports gambling in North Carolina reemerged in the House on Thursday, as a committee voted to advance the measure with support that doesn’t cut neatly along party lines.
The legislation attempts to take betting that bill supporters say already occur within North Carolina’s borders through offshore online websites or local bookies and control them through state licensing, regulation and taxation.
“This is something that we can’t ignore. It’s already here,” said Rep. Jon Hardister, a Guilford County Republican who helped shepherd the Senate measure through the House Commerce Committee in a 12-4 vote. “We need to establish the framework, we need to derive the revenue.”
The measure, which the Senate already approved in August with bipartisan support, must still go through three other House committees before it could reach the House floor.
“It’s got a long way to go,” said Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincoln County Republican and another bill manager, adding that there was no strategy to rush the measure through in the waning days of this year’s legislative session. If it stalls, the bill would still be eligible for consideration when the legislature reconvenes next year.
The legislation would direct the North Carolina Education Lottery commission to issue between 10 and 12 interactive sports wagering operator licenses, along with supplier licenses for these operators. College, professional and some amateur sports could be wagered on. Licensees could set up online apps, as well as an in-person betting location within or near a professional sports arena or where a pro golf event is held.
The state would collect 8% of an operator’s adjusted gross revenues. Half of the tax proceeds would go to a special fund to attract sporting events and attractions to the state. A legislative analysis of a previous version of the bill estimated the combined annual revenue collected could reach $24 million. Bill supporters have said the 8% tax could be higher.
At least 20 states — including Tennessee and Virginia — and the District of Columbia offer sports betting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Interest took off after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2018. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened on-site betting operations this year at its two far western north Carolina casinos thanks to 2019 legislation.
A collection of Christian conservatives and at least one progressive Democrat opposed the measure Thursday, saying it would create more gambling addicts, disproportionately harming the poor, and lead to more social ills.
“However you characterize this, it is a wild expansion of gambling in North Carolina,” said Rep. Deb Butler, a New Hanover County Democrat who also downplayed the prevalence of sports gambling in the state. “I think that it is clear to me that it is going to affect those who can arguably least afford it the most.”
Ches McDowell, a lobbyist representing Major League Baseball, the NBA, PGA Tour and the Charlotte Hornets, pointed out that the bill would put aside more money to address problem gambling. Regulating gambling also will help preserve the integrity of sports outcomes that could be questioned when big offshore bets raise questions, he said.
McDowell warned that North Carolina is falling behind other states in competing for new franchises and events because it lacks authorized in-state betting that can benefit leagues. “They have a better market for sports because sports betting is another line of revenue,” he said.
GOP Rep. Frank Iler of Brunswick County, a committee member, said he was willing to let the measure advance but wasn’t committed to supporting it in a floor vote.
“When I go back home I’m going to start polling people and see where the churches (are) and the older folks if they’re particiapting or they think this is a good idea or not, and see what comes out the other side,” Iler said.
Photo via AP Photo/John Locher.
Related Stories
‹
North Carolina Republicans Are in a Budget Standoff Because of Gambling ProvisionsWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON Republicans at the North Carolina legislature converged Tuesday in a standoff over an already long-delayed budget plan because the House and Senate disagree on adding provisions that would further expand state-sanctioned gambling. House Speaker Tim Moore said not enough of his GOP colleagues in the chamber are willing to support a […]
Top North Carolina Senator Says Chances for Approving More Sanctioned Gambling “Better Than 50-50”Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON One of North Carolina’s most powerful legislators expressed optimism Thursday that a further expansion of state-sanctioned gambling will be worked out before legislators end this year’s regular business later this summer. The General Assembly hasn’t adjourned while House and Senate Republicans negotiate sticking points on a two-year state government budget […]
Sports Gambling in North Carolina a Better Bet With Likely Final Votes Next WeekWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON Legalized sports gambling starting next year in North Carolina now seems a better bet as the state House’s top leader said Thursday he expected his chamber would accept alterations to its own proposal made by the Senate. House Speaker Tim Moore’s comment was a turnabout for him from Wednesday, as […]
North Carolina Government Makes Big Tax Revenues Quickly from First Year of Sports BettingNorth Carolina government cashed in early when it came to reaping fiscal benefits from authorized sports wagering in the ninth-largest state.
North Carolina Sports Wagers Well Over $1 Billion in First Months Under New Law, Report SaysPeople in North Carolina have bet more than $1 billion on sports since the state began taking online wagers two months ago.
While North Carolina Gambling Opponents Rally, Republicans Weigh Whether To Embrace More CasinosWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON As North Carolina House members met privately over whether to authorize more gambling in the state, social conservatives, business operators and political candidates urged lawmakers on Tuesday to reject efforts to permit more casinos and legalize statewide video gaming machines. Residents of rural Rockingham, Anson and Nash counties, which have been previously […]
Four New Casinos, Video Gambling Could Be on Horizon as North Carolina Republicans NegotiateWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON As many as four new casinos as well as video gambling machines could be authorized in North Carolina under proposals now being discussed by legislators, the top General Assembly leaders said on Thursday. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters separately about the ideas, which they […]
North Carolina Lawmakers Approve Sports and Horse-Race Gambling, Bill Now Heading to GovernorWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON The North Carolina General Assembly finalized legislation Wednesday to authorize statewide and regulate sports and horse-race wagering, a decision poised to open the nation’s ninth-largest state to more legal gambling options. The House voted 68-45 for changes completed last week by the Senate to the bill. It now goes to Gov. Roy […]
Revived N. Carolina Sports Wagering Bill Wins Big House VoteWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON Sports gambling in North Carolina soared over a major hurdle on Tuesday as the House voted for legislation to permit, regulate and tax wagering activities less than a year after the chamber scuttled a similar effort. The winning 66-45 vote for pro-gambling forces signals the legislature could be willing to […]
Idled North Carolina Sports Wagering Legislation ReemergesWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON Senate legislation to authorize and regulate sports gambling in North Carolina reemerged in the House on Thursday, as a committee voted to advance the measure with support that doesn’t cut neatly along party lines. The legislation attempts to take betting that bill supporters say already occur within North Carolina’s borders […]
›
