CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Monday, North Carolina will become the latest state to legalize mobile sports betting. And one expert expects few hiccups among the eight licensed operators.
"I think it's going to be smooth sailing in North Carolina," Robert Linnehan, editor of Sports Betting Dime, said on WCNC's Flashpoint. "This is too big of a state. It's too big of a market for these operators not to be on top of their game when this launches."
Linnehan expects a robust response from sports fans.
"It's a populous state. You have some some some crazy sports fans down there. There are a lot of residents that have been clamoring for sports betting legalization over the last couple of years as this has been discussed. You have a very healthy college sports fandom down there. And it's perfect that this is launching a week before the March Madness tournaments begin,' he said.
Estimates suggest online betting will bring in nearly $65 million in additional tax revenue for the state in the first fiscal year.
As part of the legislation, additional resources were directed toward the NC Department of Health and Human Resources to help those who might struggle with gambling addiction after Monday's rollout.
"Gambling can affect anyone. It affects folks from all walks of life, all communities," Kelly Crosbie, director of the division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, said.
NCDHHS launched the website morethanagame.nc.gov to offer resources and support to those struggling with a gambling problem.
Sports betting launches at noon on March 11.
Contact Ben Thompson at bthompson@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
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