Sports betting operators in North Carolina posted a major year-on-year revenue surge in July, while a higher tax rate helped push state collections close to $14 million.
North Carolina’s sports betting market delivered a blockbuster July, with operator revenue soaring 178% compared with the same month last year as wagering activity remained firmly above the $500 million mark.
Licensed online sportsbooks generated $63.2 million in gross wagering revenue during the month, according to the latest figures from the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
The strong result also translated into a significant boost for state coffers, with estimated tax proceeds reaching around $14 million.
$566M wagered in a single month
North Carolina’s betting handle reached $566.3 million in July, marking the 11th consecutive month in which wagering volume surpassed $500 million.
Players won approximately $498.7 million, while operators reported around $4.4 million in cancelled or voided wagers.
That left the state’s seven active online sportsbooks with a collective hold of 11.2%, giving operators a particularly strong month.
The result comes after a period in which sportsbook outcomes had been more favourable to bettors. Strong performances around major international sporting events helped operators turn the tables in July and produce a much larger share of the money wagered as revenue.
Tax hike delivers an immediate boost
The jump in state revenue was also helped by a major change to North Carolina’s sports betting tax regime.
As of 1 July 2026, the state’s tax on gross wagering revenue increased from 18% to 23%.
That means operators are now paying a larger percentage of their gross gaming revenue to the state, but the change is also generating significantly more public revenue as the market continues to expand.
Based on July’s performance, North Carolina expects to collect approximately $14 million in sports betting taxes through the Department of Revenue.
More money for sport and major events
The additional tax income is earmarked for a number of state priorities, including major event incentives and funding for collegiate athletic departments.
The timing is significant. North Carolina’s regulated betting market continues to maintain substantial monthly wagering volumes, giving the state a growing stream of tax revenue even as operators face a higher fiscal burden.
For sportsbooks, the 23% rate represents a clear increase in operating costs. For the state, however, July’s numbers suggest that the expanding market can continue to generate sizeable returns despite the higher tax rate.
A market showing serious momentum
July’s figures underline how quickly North Carolina’s regulated sports betting sector has matured.
With more than half a billion dollars wagered for the 11th month in a row, the market is no longer relying on occasional spikes in activity to produce large monthly totals.
The combination of sustained betting volume, a strong operator hold and the new 23% tax rate has created a particularly powerful revenue month for the state.
And with sports betting activity continuing to attract significant player interest, North Carolina’s July performance could prove to be another sign that the state’s regulated market is entering a more lucrative phase.