North Carolina sports betting wagers totaled $520.5 million in August 2026, the second month of the state’s new fiscal year, according to a report released September 30 by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. Total wagering revenue declined from July, while gross wagering revenue fell at a faster rate than the amount wagered.
Wagers and Winnings in North Carolina
According to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission’s report, account holders placed $520.5 million in total wagers during the month. That included $508.3 million in paid wagers and $12.1 million in promotional wagers.
August wagering was down from $566.3 million in July, when account holders placed $551.6 million in paid wagers and $14.7 million in promotional wagers. Winnings paid to account holders totaled $467.7 million in August, compared with $498.7 million in July. Cancelled or voided wagers fell from $4.4 million in July to $3.7 million in August.
August Hold Percentage
Gross wagering revenue, the amount left after winnings and cancelled or voided wagers are removed from total wagering revenue, came to $48.99 million in August, compared with $63.22 million in July.
That puts the hold, or gross wagering revenue as a share of total wagering revenue, at about 9.4% in August, compared with roughly 11.2% in July. Overall, total wagering revenue fell about 8% month over month, while gross wagering revenue declined by more than 22%.
Tax Proceeds
State law sets a 23% tax on gross wagering revenue from sports betting. Based on that rate, estimated tax proceeds totaled $11.23 million in August, compared with $14.04 million in July.
Across the first two months of the fiscal year, NC betting apps have generated $1.09 billion in total wagering revenue and $112.21 million in gross wagering revenue, with an estimated $25.27 million in tax proceeds collected so far.
Get the Best Sports Betting Offers Here
