North Carolina Sets Record With Massive October Sports Betting Handle

Bettors in the Tar Heel State had a busy October.

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC) has reported sportsbooks saw over $612 million in wagers in October. The impressive total sets a new record seven months after the launch of its sports betting market. That number was over $60 million more than in September, a good sign for the market's final two months of the year. 

As with every US sports betting market, North Carolina’s handle has been driven by football betting. Fans continue to bet on the pro and college games despite the state’s teams struggling. Add in the MLB playoffs and World Series wagers, and you can see why October’s handle was so much higher than the previous month.

October’s record-setting numbers mean the state will see over $8 million in tax revenue. North Carolina uses that revenue to fund public programs, ranging from education to health. That money can do a lot for the state, and they will likely receive far more before the year’s end\

Record Won’t Last Long

North Carolina is a unique state when it comes to sports. While football remains popular, college basketball is king. Duke and the University of North Carolina are two of the most successful basketball programs in the country, while Wake Forest and North Carolina State also have vital programs. All four teams play in the ACC, forming deep and bitter rivalries between fans and players.

In addition to college basketball, the Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the NHL’s top teams over the last few seasons. That has helped further build a fanbase, leading to more bets on hockey. 

Sports betting launched after the majority of the college basketball and NHL seasons were over, leading to smaller handles. Both leagues will be in action starting in November, which could very well lead to another record-setting handle.