The wait continues for North Carolinians hoping to place legal mobile sports bets. Despite optimistic predictions from key stakeholders, time is running out in the state’s short 2022 legislative session for SB 688, a sports betting bill, to pass through the House.
North Carolina’s legislative session, which began on May 18, wraps up on June 30, and the House Judiciary Committee has yet to put the bill on its agenda. The Judiciary Committee is the first of a few committee stops likely to be needed before the bill approved by the North Carolina Senate last August would be sent to the House floor.
If enacted, the bill would allow statewide mobile sports betting. Currently, in-person sports wagering is legal at two tribal-owned casinos in the state. Up to 12 mobile sports betting licenses could be awarded under the current language in SB 688, and the proposed tax rate is 8% of adjusted gross revenue.
Optimism remains
Despite a slow start to the session, Rep. Jason Saine remains optimistic about the bill’s chances. Saine is taking a leading role in helping the bill move through the House.
“If everything goes according to plan, it should still be heard next week,” Angela Morando, Saine’s legislative assistant, told Sports Handle in an email. “Rep. Saine is hopeful that everything will stay on track from the rest of this short session.”
North Carolina's House Judiciary committee is NOT meeting today, per sources in the legislature. The sports betting bill passed by the Senate still needs the committee's approval before a full house vote.
Earliest it can move is next Tuesday. Session ends June 30th.
— Sam McQuillan (@sam_mcquill) June 7, 2022
The House Judiciary Committee meets every Tuesday, and Saine appears hopeful the bill will be discussed by the committee next week. If the committee addresses the bill this legislative session, it still likely needs to pass through the finance and rules committees before reaching the House floor.
