It looks like North Carolina sports betting will have to wait. The state’s bill, SB 688, is unlikely to make any additional progress along the legislative path until 2022.
On Nov. 4, 2021, the House Commerce Committee passed SB 688 by a vote of 12-4. Rep. Jason Saine told Legalsportsreport.com that vote followed a discussion that was to ensure lawmakers knew mobile sports betting is a “looming issue.”
Unfortunately for interested sports bettors, the state Assembly has remained in session longer than usual for the pre-holiday period, pushing sports betting talks to next year. Saine told LSR that he does not expect any more action on the bill in 2021. Saine added that the bill must go to three more committees and that the bill will probably resurface in April 2022.
North Carolina Sports Betting Details
Even though it’s on hold for the moment, SB 688 still has a real chance to become law when the state legislators return.
If passed, the bill would authorize 10 to 12 licenses for sports betting operators and tax them at an 8% rate.
This would add to North Carolina’s existing regulations, which allow retail sports betting at tribal casinos.
When Will Sports Betting Come To NC?
As it stands, it could be quite a while before North Carolina sports betting apps launch. Legislation to authorize online sports betting is an early step in the process. Following legislation, the state will then have to put forth regulations that govern sports betting sites. In addition, North Carolina will need to grant licenses after an application process.
In other words, there are still many hurdles to overcome beyond the passage of SB 688. If the bill passes in April 2022, it could still be many months before online sports betting apps launch in the state. In a best-case scenario, North Carolina bettors might be able to wager on the early games of the 2022-23 NFL season.
Which Sportsbooks Will Launch In NC?
This remains to be seen, and will likely stay murky until SB 688 passes. However, expect the major players to make a move to North Carolina, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, and many others. For the latest updates on the best NC sports betting promos currently available, click the provided link.
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