North Carolina’s Sports Betting Market Stays Hot in April

Bettors in the Tar Heel State had a busy April.

The North Carolina State Lottery has reported a sports betting handle of $612.5 million for last month. That is 6.3% increase compared to April 2025, despite the college basketball-crazed state not having a team in the 2026 Final Four. It was the seventh time the state has exceeded $600 million in wagers over the last eight months.

The strong April continues an impressive run of growth for North Carolina’s sports betting market. The state has benefited as a result, seeing $11.6 million in tax revenue for April alone. It was the eighth straight month that the market has generated over $10 millon.

As successful as 2026 has been, the summer has not been kind to the thriving market. Hammering Stanley Cup predictions and sweating the final shifts in NBA Championship odds keep bettors fiercely active into June. However, things rapidly cool off after the trophies are hoisted, partly due to the lack of a local MLB franchise in the state to carry the action through the dog days of summer.

North Carolina saw its lowest tax revenue numbers last July, generating just over $4 million. 

North Carolina Market Keeps Controversial Edge

North Carolina deserves plenty of credit for its sports betting market and the process involved in launching it. They set a tax rate at the national average, ensuring a competitive and profitable market. However, there is one controversial offering that gives the state an edge over other states: college player prop bets.

The controversial bet type has been very popular with bettors, especially in North Carolina. While it has been linked to spikes in athlete harassment, betting scandals, and problem gambling, college player props also generate crucial tax revenue for the state.

The NCAA has been leading a campaign to get states to ban or restrict college player prop bets, but several have rejected the request. The money generated is too important, and many lawmakers argue they haven’t seen enough evidence of the impact these changes are having.

Last year, the state legislature did see a bill to ban that type of bet. However, it failed to gain momentum, signaling that a change is unlikely to be coming soon.