RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolinians bet around $6.1 billion of their own money in the first year of mobile sports betting legalization.

With an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue, the billions of dollars wagered brought in more than $128 million in estimated tax revenue from gambling applications through February.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” said Rep. Zack Hawkins, who was one of the primary sponsors. “Mainly managed a lot of where the revenue went to help make sure that all the dollars that we knew were coming could go to help best support other areas across the state.”

Per state law, $2 million of sports gambling revenue goes to benefit the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction treatment and education programs.

After sports betting launched in March, DHHS saw a spike in calls to the problem gambling hotline, jumping from 895 in 2023 to nearly 1,300 last year. There was also an 89 call jump from February to March before and after the rollout.

$1 million each year also benefits North Carolina Amateur Sports to help youth sports programs. According to the group’s president, they’ve been awarded more than $700,000, with some of that funding benefitting schools and parks and recreation departments directly impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“They had to completely rebuild everything after they left. To know that the revenue put in place, the revenue sharing that we put in place was able to help, just lets you know that we’re doing the right thing,” Hawkins said.

$1 million each year also benefits the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission. Additional funds assist state universities and the new Major Events, Games and Attractions fund.

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