North Carolina bettors wagered more than $7 billion through legal online sportsbooks in 2025, marking the first full calendar year of regulated North Carolina sports betting.
The momentum carried all the way into December, with wagers surpassing $651 million, marking the fourth consecutive month that monthly betting exceeded $650 million statewide, according to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
State Tax Revenue and Funding Distribution
Licensed operators in North Carolina pay an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue. In December alone, the state collected more than $14.6 million in sports betting tax revenue. Total tax collections from North Carolina sports betting apps reached more than $132 million in 2025.
Betting revenue is distributed across multiple programs. A portion is allocated to the state health department for gambling addiction education and treatment efforts. Additional funds are directed to two statewide youth sports organizations that distribute grants, a major events fund, and athletics departments within the UNC System, excluding NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. Remaining revenue flows into the state’s general fund.
Monthly Growth and Market Overview
Wagers in December were up more than 6% compared to December 2024, continuing an upward trend throughout the year. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission publishes monthly reports on sports betting activity, but does not release detailed breakdowns by sport or operator.
North Carolina lawmakers approved legal sports betting in 2023, with the market officially launching in mid-March 2024. The state currently has seven licensed online sports betting operators. Monthly wagering totals in 2025 exceeded 2024 figures in every month except April, when promotional wagering activity boosted early market totals during the first year of operation.
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