North Carolinians bet more than $600 million in October as sports gambling interest grows • NC Newsline

There are just a few weeks left in the college football season and whether you are cheering for the Tar Heels, the Wolfpack or the ECU pirates, it’s clear that North Carolina sports fans are wagering large sums on their favorite teams.

Figures released Tuesday by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission show North Carolinians bet more than $612 million on sporting events in October. That’s $66.6 million more in total wagering revenue than the month of September.

Of those bets placed, $560.6 million was paid out in winnings.

The licensed interactive sports operators collected a handsome $48.6 million.

The state estimates its share of those wagers to be more than $8.7 million in tax proceeds for the month.

November and December could also be lucrative for the sports betting companies. In addition to college football bowl season, the NFL, NHL, NBA and college basketball are already underway.

Online sports gambling went live in North Carolina last March, the day before that ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament commenced. In the first 12-hour period that it was legal to place an online sports bet, North Carolinians wagered a whopping $23.9 million.

Since the beginning of this fiscal year, North Carolinians have wagered $1.8 billion over the last four months.

Just $2 million is allocated annually under state law to the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction education and treatment programs.