North Carolina Bettors Wager $6.6B in First Year, February Handle Dips
North Carolina’s sports betting scene logged $6.6 billion in total wagers since launching on March 11, 2024. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission’s latest report digs into February’s action, showing a solid but quieter month at $573.1 million in paid and promotional bets.
February’s Snapshot
February 2025 saw North Carolinians wager $555.7 million in paid bets, plus $17.4 million in promotional plays, totaling $573.1 million. That’s a drop from January’s heftier haul, with gross wagering revenue sliding 25.3% to $55.7 million.
Players pocketed $517.4 million in winnings, leaving the state with a tidy $10 million tax take at the 18% rate on that revenue. Mobile betting, as always, ruled the roost, though exact splits weren’t detailed.
The dip’s no shock. February’s short 28 days and a post-Super Bowl lull often tame the action. Compare that to November’s high-water mark of $638 million in paid wagers, and it’s clear the football season’s a heavy hitter. Still, February’s contribution pushed the year-long tax total past $128 million, a hefty chunk for a program just hitting its stride.
A Year of Big Bets
Over 12 months, bettors poured $6.1 billion in paid wagers and $500 million in promos into the market, $6.6 billion all told. Operators raked in over $700 million in gross revenue, paying out $5.7 billion to winners.
That’s a net loss for players, but a win for the state’s coffers. Promos peaked at $202 million in March 2024, luring new players during the launch, before settling to $17.4 million by February.
The tax breakdown’s locked in: $500,000 yearly covers Lottery Commission costs, $2 million aids gambling addiction programs via the Department of Health and Human Services, and $1 million each boosts North Carolina Amateur Sports and the Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.
Thirteen UNC System athletic departments (minus UNC and NC State) snag $300,000 apiece annually. The rest splits 50% to the general fund, 30% to the Major Events Fund, and 20% back to those college sports programs.
What’s Fueling the Fire
Football’s still king in North Carolina. November’s $638 million handle screamed gridiron fever. February leaned on basketball, with NBA and college hoops keeping the books busy post-NFL.
The $55.7 million revenue, though down from January, still reflects a healthy hold. Operators kept about 9.7% of the handle.
The state’s eight authorized operators, like DraftKings and FanDuel, have settled into a groove since the launch hype. With over $128 million in taxes banked, North Carolina is outpacing early hopes, funneling cash to education, youth sports, and big events.
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