Get ready, folks! It’s official – Governor Roy Cooper has put pen to paper, and the great state of North Carolina is gearing up for some serious sports and horse racing action next year. While there isn’t an exact date set, rumors are swirling that the doors to this thrilling world will swing open sometime in the first half of 2024.
I would say it’s about time and I know the good people of North Carolina have been itching for this!
Governor Roy Cooper celebrates
Go Big or Go Home
How’s this for making an event out of it? Governor Cooper, chose none other than the Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets, to hold the bill-signing ceremony. Talk about setting the stage! They might even fit a sports book right in or near the arena.
Can you imagine? Placing your bets, catching a game, and soaking up the electric atmosphere all in one place. It’s basically a sports lover’s dream come true, my friends.
You can start betting on the Charlotte Hornets in NBA
Pro Sports, College Games and Much More
According to the new law, the people of North Carolina could start throwing down wagers as early as January 8th, or maybe as late as mid-June 2024. Either way, it’s not far off! Pro sports, college games, even Olympic-style events will be ready for you.
As long as you’re 21 or older, you can strut your stuff at eight potential in-person betting spots, whether they’re stadiums, arenas, golf courses, or racetracks.
Place Your Bets While on the Move
As great as that all may sound, there’s more. The North Carolina Lottery Commission is getting in on the action too, issuing up to 12 licenses for mobile and online sports betting. That means you can bet on-the-go, right from your phone or computer wherever you are. Convenience at its finest!
Horse racing betting is soon reality
Horse Racing Aficionados
Let’s not forget our friends, the horse racing aficionados. With separate licensing and accounts, you can indulge your passion for the track and let your inner betting expert run wild.
North Carolina is finally catching up to its neighboring states like Tennessee and Virginia, where mobile sports betting is already a hit. This means there’s no more need to cross state lines to place bets, folks!
By regulating and taxing sports betting, North Carolina is looking forward to keeping things above board and wave goodbye to underground gambling and offshore accounts. It’s a win-win situation!
Responsible Gaming
Although the move has massive support from the people, there are a mix of conservatives and liberals who fear the perils of gambling addiction. North Carolina has come a long way and has spent a lot of time on rallied support and pushing this legislation through. Responsible gaming is a very important area and will surely not be ignored.
The hard work paid off, and now it’s time to celebrate!
North Carolina State can look forward to new tax money
$100 Million Annually in Taxes
As the sports wagering taxes start rolling in, North Carolina stands to gain over $100 million annually within five years. That’s a lot of dough but how about this? A nice chunk of those revenues will be put towards local sports initiatives, athletic programs, and even problem-gambling prevention.
Being able to invest back into the communities while having a blast sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.
Embrace the Thrill That Is Coming
So, the countdown has begun and it won’t be long until North Carolina will be living in a world where sports and betting go hand in hand. It’s time to embrace the thrill, the excitement, and the camaraderie that comes with it.
Governor Cooper said it best himself: “This is an historic moment for the state of North Carolina, and this will benefit our economy for generations to come.”
Congratulations to North Carolina and I’m looking forward to seeing you making the most of it. I’m willing to bet that you will!
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