North Carolina's sports betting bill back on track with a new Gaming Commission proposal

The idea of a consolidated state commission to regulate all gambling-related activities and boxing in North Carolina has advanced through the House of Representatives last week.

The proposed nine-member North Carolina Gaming Commission would incorporate duties and powers of the current state lottery commission along with those of state law enforcement agents that oversee nonprofit bingo and raffles, as reported by the Associated Press.

Previous language that would have formally legalized fantasy sports are absent from the bill approved by the House’s Commerce Committee 86-26 on Thursday. Fantasy sports games are still played in the state, but the industry has wanted to be formally licensed and regulated.

Also missing is earlier language directing the proposed commission study the feasibility of the state offering video lottery games. Now, that study would focus primarily on the pros and cons of authorizing sports betting and steeplechases.

Under Senate Bill 154, sports betting on tribal land but not inside the remainder of the state. The bill now moves onto the state Senate for a hearing to determine the validity of the measure, but experts believe that the legislation is on solid ground for passage in the coming days, according to WSN. The bill’s fate could ultimately fall in the hands of Governor Roy Cooper, who has not indicated if he will sign the legislation into law if given the chance.

In addition to sports betting, tribal land casinos would also gain the opportunity to permit horse wagering on their premises as well. The bill specifically grants sports betting permission to the Eastern Band of Cherokee casinos in the cities of Cherokee and Murphy.

Lawmakers pointed out that the bill doesn’t create a betting expansion in the state but rather grants permission to the tribal areas that have requested for sports wagering.