RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers will kick off the 2023 NFL Draft with the very first pick, and by the time that player takes the field in September, you may be able to legally bet on sports in North Carolina.
The bill to make mobile sports betting legal recently passed the state House and is expected to have majority support in the Senate.
Last year, lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly tried but failed to make mobile sports betting legal.
Now, they're making another try at the win. If the state Senate approves, North Carolina would give 10 to 12 licenses to online sportsbooks, then tax those companies 14%.
Lawmakers say that's big money for North Carolina.
“It is already a $1.7 billion industry in North Carolina and it’s really time that we regulate that," Rep, Sarah Crawford (D - Wake) said.
But with sports betting, experts say there's a greater potential for a dangerous side effect: gambling addiction. Lawmakers say there will be protections in place.
“Through this legislation, that would require all sports betting operators to display information on problem gaming resources," Crawford, said.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, people who experience problems related to gambling have a heightened likelihood of suicide than those not experiencing problems by a factor of 15 times. Also, for every single person who is experiencing a problem related to gambling, an estimated eight to 10 others are impacted.
“I grew up in a family that had addictive behavior going on, not gambling per se, but I understand the devastation that can happen," said Rep. Deb Butler (D - New Hanover). "We’re going to let people gamble on every pitch, every swing of the bat, every bucket -- it is going to be devastating,"
The bill also requires $2 million in revenue to go toward gambling addiction education and treatment.
More than two dozen states have legalized mobile sports gambling since a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision gave states the authority. Butler says those states have seen negative impacts.
“Being marketed to young people, vulnerable populations, we know families suffer horrible tragedies, we know that suicides increase, and I just think it’s not the place of the state,” she said.
At the moment, if you want to bet on sports in the Charlotte area, you have to go to the sportsbook at Catawba Two Kings Casino.
In a statement, Kathy George, president of the Catawba Nation Gaming Commission which operates the casino, said:
"We are monitoring the legislative process on online sports betting, with the hope that it will create new jobs and economic activity for North Carolinians, preserve the jobs of our current and future Catawba Two Kings Casino employees, and also protect our capital investment in the casino.”
"There's no reason for North Carolina to be sitting on the sidelines, especially in such a sports-rich state and a growing state," said Rep. Zach Hawkins (D - Durham) on WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint. Hawkins is one of the sponsors of the bill, which has garnered bipartisan support.
Supporters of the bill acknowledge sports betting currently happens behind closed doors, but argue that regulating it would make it safer and bring money into the state's coffers.
"Our job is to make sure that we take it from the dark and bring it into the light. Make it legal. Give them consumer protections," he said.
Jason Saine, another bill sponsor and Republican representative from Lincoln County, says he may want to see the state go one step further. During an appearance on a WUNC podcast, he expressed support for the possibility of legalizing casinos, saying it attracts economic development.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to Saine for further comment, and we have yet to hear back.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
If you are concerned about your gambling or worried about a friend, you can call the NC Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-718-5543. You can also contact the National Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
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