North Carolina reports year-on-year sports betting growth in January

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission reported year-on-year growth across revenue and handle for January, while the state’s hold also improved.

Total sports bets during the month amounted to $686.9 million, according to figures from the commission. This was 6.2% more than in January 2025 and 3.2% ahead of December.

Some $666.7 million was reported as paid wagers during the month, while $22.2 million in other bets went through as promotional wagering. Of all bets placed, $3.6 million were cancelled or voided.

Players received back $603.0 million from sports betting in January. As such, gross wagering revenue for the month reached $80.3 million, an increase of 7.8% from January of last year but 1.5% behind December.

North Carolina ended the month with a sports betting hold of 11.69%. Meanwhile, total tax collected from wagering was $14.5 million.

Year-to-date revenue nears $500 million

The commission does not publish data for individual operators in North Carolina. However, it did release details of the market’s performance in the year-to-date.

Total wagering handle for the seven months through to the end of January was $4.51 billion. This included $4.37 billion as paid wagers and $140 million of promotional bets.

Some $25.6 million in bets were cancelled and voided while players were returned $4.01 billion from successful wagers. This meant year-to-date revenue for the period stood at $476.5 million.

Hold-wise, the figure for the seven months was 10.56%, while $85.8 million was generated in tax.

Eight platforms offer online sports betting in North Carolina. Retail betting is allowed at tribal casinos but not taxed by the state.