North Carolina sports betting numbers bounce back with big September

North Carolina bettors welcomed the return of football with lots and lots of wagers.

Bettors in the state wagered more than $575 million in September, ending a three-month summer slump. The state collected more than $12 million – double what it collected in August – from the eight operators licensed to take bets in the state.

The $575 million wagered in September ranks behind only March ($659 million) and April ($648 million). Online sports betting launched in North Carolina on March 11.

September was the first full month of football since the launch.

That $575 million includes both paid and promotional wagers. The $538 million in paid wagers in September is the second-highest amount in North Carolina, trailing only April’s $569 million.

The state has collected more than $75 million in taxes since the start of sports betting. North Carolina charges an 18% tax on gross gaming revenue.

Here’s where the tax money goes.

Sports betting slowed down in the summer months, not a surprise given the lack of basketball and, in particular, football on the calendar.

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which regulates sports betting in the state, does not release information about which sports are bet on or which operators take the most (or least) wagers.

The amount wagered in each of June, July and August was below $400 million and tax revenues to the state were below $8 million each month – steep declines from the first two-plus months after the March 11 launch.

North Carolina’s problem gambling helpline set records for calls taken in April, May and June.

North Carolina sports betting numbers month-by-month. Story: https://t.co/QqPwnIkttj pic.twitter.com/QDvReQoubo

— Brian Murphy (@murphsturph) October 8, 2024