For the first time since the start of football season, sports bettors in North Carolina in April wagered less than $600 million in paid bets through the state’s eight legal sports betting operators.
But the $594 million in paid bets was still $34 million more than was wagered in April 2024, an increase of 6% which is on pace with other month-over-month gains in sports betting in the state, according to figures reported by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. The total bet in March 2026, for example, was also 6% higher than March 2025.
Other WRAL Top Stories
April’s haul pushed paid wagering past the $14-billion mark since the March 2023 launch of legal sports betting in the state. When including promotional or bonus bets, bettors have wagered more than $15.3 billion.
North Carolina collected an estimated $11.6 million in taxes in April and has collected more than $287 million since launch. Operators pay 18% tax on gross wagering revenue, calculated as paid wagering revenue and promotional wagering revenue minus canceled and voided wagers and the amount paid as winnings.
READ MORE: Where does the money collected from sports betting go?
Sports betting has followed a predictable pattern in the two-plus years since it launched in the state with betting peaking from September through April before dipping in the summer months.
With two months left in the fiscal year, North Carolina is on pace to top FY2025’s mark of $6.4 billion in paid wagers and $116 million in taxes. Through 10 months in FY2026, North Carolina is at $5.6 billion in paid wagers and $110 million in taxes. April marked the eighth consecutive month of tax receipts above $10 million.
WRAL's latest documentary "The Gamble" explored the rapid rise of the industry in North Carolina and the growing concerns about its impact.
