North Carolina’s sports wagering exceeded $600 million for the fifth consecutive month in January, experiencing a 7% rise compared to the same month last year.
From September to January, a staggering $3.55 billion in sports bets were placed through North Carolina’s sportsbooks, coinciding with the football season as it closed out the 2025 campaign.
The five-month period marked the most vibrant phase for legalized sports betting since the market launched in March 2024.
January concluded this impressive stretch with wagers surpassing $666 million. This figure reflects a 7% increase compared to January 2025, according to data released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which regulates sports betting within the state.
Exclusion of Super Bowl Bets from January Figures
Wagering statistics for January did not encompass bets associated with the Super Bowl, a game that typically records the highest single-day betting volumes of the year. This event marked the end of the 2025 season, with North Carolina projected to register over $75 million in bets for the match.
Since the initiation of sports betting in March 2024, monthly wages have exceeded $600 million on nine occasions, with two months surpassing $700 million throughout a span of 23 months.
Tax Revenue and Revenue Figures
Since launching, bettors have placed more than $12.6 billion in paid wagers, along with an additional $691 million in promotional bets. Operators have reported nearly $1.4 billion in gross wagering revenue, as per the calculations by the Lottery Commission.
The state has gathered over $250 million in taxes from sportsbook operators. January alone yielded $14.4 million in tax revenue, marking the fifth consecutive month of collecting more than $12 million. Operators are subject to an 18% tax on gross wagering earnings.
Tax revenues are allocated to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, two youth sports initiatives, athletic departments at University of North Carolina schools, excluding NC State and North Carolina, a major events fund, and the general fund.