North Carolina mobile betting bill passes House committee vote

In North Carolina, a bill to legalise mobile betting statewide has passed the House of Representatives’ Commerce Committee with a 17-10 vote.

HB 347 is proposing to expand the state’s sports betting industry by introducing between 10 and 12 online sportsbooks. If passed, individuals who are 21 years old or above would be able to place bets with mobile devices and computers within the state’s boundaries.

The proposed legislation would permit the establishment of retail betting venues near stadiums, arenas, and racetracks, as well as temporary wagering outlets at golf tournaments. A 14% tax would also be levied on mobile betting, potentially generating tens of millions of dollars in new state income.

A portion of the income would be designated towards responsible gaming programs, as well as to providing aid to historically Black colleges and universities. Additionally, a grant program would be established for parks and recreation departments in all 100 counties to acquire equipment and construct facilities, while a program to entice tournaments and events would also be created.

There is, however, opposition to the legislation, especially in the Senate. Among the most vocal opponents is Rep. Pricey Harrison, who feels the bill has not improved from the one that failed last year.

Harrison said on Tuesday, “I’m still very much against this proposal. It’s pretty much the same bill as last year. I feel very strongly about this. It’s bad policy to depend on pro sports gambling for revenue.”

One of the sponsors of HB 347, Rep. Zack Hawkins, pointed out that it would not be the first time the state had drawn on so-called vices for funding, saying that “much like we allow for taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, we can use this revenue from activity that is widely happening in our state for good”.

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