North Carolina Sports Gambling Bill Clears State Senate Committee

On Monday, another state Senate committee got approval to legalize and tax sports betting in North Carolina.

Many Democrats and Republicans have backed the plan, despite fears from others that it will increase the number of those hooked to gambling. The bill, which gets approval from the finance committee, still has to pass two more Senate panels before being sent to the floor.

Sen. Jim Perry, a Republican from Lenoir County who sponsored the bill, claimed that a small percentage of Americans are prone to turn into addicts. Many who turn to addicts may shift their habits to another region. Jim previously stated that placing an online bet is currently uncomplicated for everyone and that it makes sense to regulate these activities to earn income.

The law is opposed by the Rev. Mark Creech, who holds the executive director position in Christian Action League of North Carolina, claiming it would produce new addicts and hurt those currently suffering.

During the hearing, Creech said that betting is a dangerous industry in the country that actively targets and uses the financially needy and creates an addiction for profit.”

Following a U.S. presidential election in 2019, the Supreme Court decided to allow regulated sports betting in 50 states; state legislators have shown a strong desire to establish such a system. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, sports betting is legal in 20 states and the Columbia district.

The North Carolina Education Lottery Commission awards 10 to 12 sports betting operator licenses if the Senate and House pass the bill and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper puts it into law.

The state would receive half of the net earnings from licensees, which includes 8% tax on gross revenues, for a special fund to attract athletic events, while the other half would go to the state’s coffers. North Carolina would receive about $8 to $24 million per year under one version of the measure evaluated by the legislature’s budget staff.