The sports betting software bill that will allow for online sports betting in North Carolina is finally moving. SB 688 passes its second reading, then finally passes the North Carolina Senate as well. The bill will allow for 10 to 12 sportsbooks to operate in the state. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for debate.
If you want to be an online bookie and have your own sportsbook in North Carolina, the North Carolina Lottery Commission will be the regulator of sports betting in the state. They will issue licenses as well as come up with policy for sports betting. The bill allows for both online and retail sports betting.
North Carolina Sports Betting Software Bill
However, this can only transpire if the bettor is within a half mile of sports facilities. Or properties that are owned by the owners of the said sports facilities. During the hearing, the sports facility is defined as a venue that hosts professional sports and has a minimum seating capacity of 17,000 people. In addition, a venue that hosts professional golf tournaments also applies. So far, this gives us three stadiums, as well as 6 motorsports tracks in the state.
The law does seem very limiting. Other states allow for both retail and mobile sports betting in any place within the state lines. And since the goal of a sports betting software company is to bring the convenience of mobile technology and sports betting together, limiting the venues for betting seems counterproductive. Given how many other states have better regulations on sports betting, it would still not count a surprise if residents will cross state lines to place wagers, especially if they are nearer to borders than the aforementioned sports facilities.