North Carolina’s Senate approved the sports betting (Senate Bill 688) bill on August 19, 2021, by a majority of 26-19 votes and the said bill has now been referred to the House Commerce Committee for initial review as part of the procedure of the House. Senate Bill 688 is a bill that seeks to legalize online sports betting in the state of North Carolina. The Houe has assigned Senate Bill 688 to the first committee out of three potential committees.

How will sports betting take place?

Since there are no pari-mutuel facilities or commercial casinos in the state, Senate Bill 688 would allow mobile sportsbooks such as those of BetMGM and DraftKings to apply for licenses in the state. Professional sportsbooks in the state that include Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, PNC Arena, golf courses in Greensboro, and Charlotte that host PGA Tours would also be able to qualify for sports betting kiosks and/or retail sportsbooks.

Will the House pass the Bill?

House Rules Chair Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) commented that no idea can be had at this moment as regards the passage of the bill in the House but the bill was referred on September 15, 2021, and the committees are free to discuss the bill should they choose to do so. However, time is of the essence and the legislative session in 2021 was extended and lengthy and lawmakers are currently focussed on other matters that are far more critical.

The 2021 session was convened in January 2021 with the adjournment of the General body slated for July 2021. Certain matters critical to the governance of the state that includes the state budget and a redistricting plan meant that lawmakers returned to the capital.

It just might be that the lawmakers would not get a chance to take up Senate Bill 688 in the current legislative session. In order to pass Senate Bill 688, the House Commerce Committee needs to take up the bill and approve the same and the bill would have to then be approved by the House Finance Committee and the Rules Committee. Time just might not permit the passing of Senate Bill 688 in the current legislative session.