North Carolina’s mobile sports betting market generated $65.2 million in gross wagering revenue during September 2026, representing a 33% increase from the $48.99 million recorded in August.
According to figures released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, tax proceeds from mobile sports betting also increased by 33.5% to around $15 million, compared with $11.2 million in the previous month.
Total mobile sports betting handle, including promotional wagers, reached $718.2 million, up 38% from $520.5 million in August. Paid wagering revenue, defined in the report as total handle excluding promotional spending, increased 36% from $508.3 million to $691.3 million.
North Carolina records $177.4m in revenue over three months
Between July and September 2026, North Carolina’s mobile sports betting operators generated $177.4 million in gross wagering revenue from a combined handle of $1.8 billion.
The September performance followed strong results in July, when the state’s seven licensed online sportsbooks recorded $63.2 million in gross wagering revenue, compared with $54.1 million in June.
July’s total handle reached $566.3 million, representing a 52.9% year-on-year increase despite a 3.9% decline from June. Estimated tax receipts for July stood at about $14 million.
State increases sports betting tax and introduces prediction market levy
North Carolina’s latest revenue figures come after changes to the state’s gambling tax framework.
In July, Governor Josh Stein signed Senate Bill 257 into law, increasing the tax rate on online sports betting operators from 18% to 23%. The legislation introduced a separate tax structure for prediction markets, imposing a 6% levy on operators’ net trading fee income from 1 January 2027.
Unlike licensed sportsbooks, prediction market operators will not be required to obtain state gambling licences under the new framework. In May, Stein signed an executive order prohibiting state employees from using confidential information obtained through their official duties to participate in prediction markets.
Prediction markets raise concerns over sportsbook revenue and taxation
The growth of prediction markets has prompted concerns among US gambling industry stakeholders about competition with state-regulated sportsbooks.
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), traditional sports betting revenue declined 15.6% year-on-year to $1 billion in August, while prediction market platforms continued attracting users.
The AGA estimates that states have missed more than $1.56 billion in potential gaming tax revenue since the beginning of 2025 because of activity on prediction market platforms. The association argues that some sports-related event contracts operate as alternatives to conventional sports betting without being subject to equivalent state licensing and taxation requirements.
Meanwhile, research firm Macquarie forecasts that prediction market trading volume could reach $187 billion in 2026, compared with an estimated $22 billion in 2025. Sports-related event contracts are expected to account for most of that activity, with major gambling operators including DraftKings and FanDuel also expanding into prediction markets.
Explore more:
Share
2 views
