North Carolina June Sports Betting Handle Up 36% YoY but Revenue Slips
2026-07-27
Source: Focus Gaming News
North Carolina's June sports betting handle rose 36% year-over-year to $589.6m, but gross wagering revenue fell to $54.1m. The state also reported strong fiscal year totals and a new budget raising operator tax rates to 23%.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has published its June sports wagering figures, showing a continued upward trend in handle despite a second consecutive monthly decline in gross wagering revenue.
The state’s seven licensed mobile sportsbook operators collectively reported a handle of $589.6m, representing a 36.1% increase year-over-year. However, gross wagering revenue fell to $54.1m, down from $64.3m in May. Operator winnings totaled $530.3m, and estimated tax proceeds from the month came in at $9.7m.
Looking at the full fiscal year 2026 (July 2025 to June 2026), North Carolina’s sports betting market showed strong growth. Total wagering revenue reached $7.62bn, up 14.9% from the prior fiscal year. Gross wagering revenue climbed to $794.8m, and tax proceeds reached $143.1m — both approximately 23% higher year-over-year.
Mobile sports wagering launched in the state in March 2024. This month, Governor Josh Stein signed a new state budget that raises the tax rate on sports betting operators from 18% to 23% and introduces a new tax on prediction markets, signaling potential shifts in the state’s regulatory landscape for future fiscal periods.