Just six months after online North Carolina sports betting went live statewide, voters in the Tar Heel State say they’re ready to see gaming expand even more.
Last week, Raleigh television station WRAL released the results of a poll conducted this month by Survey USA for the station. Pollsters found that 55% of the 900 adults surveyed support the idea of having commercial casinos across the state. A quarter of those who responded said they strongly supported allowing casinos, while 30% gave it some support. By comparison, only 13% voiced strong opposition, and 18% were somewhat against the proposal. The remainder, 14%, said they were not sure.
The 55% support rating is the same as what Survey USA found in a similar poll taken six months ago, although back in March, only 20% said they strongly supported the idea, and 35% offered some support. The amount of opposition rose slightly from 28% back in March (15% somewhat, 13% strong). Those figures are also in line with a Meredith Poll taken in February that found 57% support allowing commercial casinos across the state.
Casino gaming is already in North Carolina, though it’s limited to operating only on tribal lands. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians host two Harrah’s casinos on its land in the far western portion of the state, and the Catawba Nation has broken ground on a $700 million casino resort in Kings Mountain, roughly 30 miles west of Charlotte. There are no online casinos in the state, but BetCarolina.com will have North Carolina online casino bonuses if the idea comes to fruition.
Casino Legislation Nearly Passed In 2023
North Carolina lawmakers discussed legalizing casinos a year ago, with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Eden, championing a plan that would have allowed four casinos. One of those would have been operated by the Lumbee Tribe, and three others would have been earmarked for rural communities. That effort, though, fell through after more conservative members of the House Republican caucus balked at the idea. At the time, it created some friction between Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Kings Mountain, with Berger thinking Moore backed away from a commitment. The disagreement led to the delay in passing the state’s budget.
Berger chose not to bring up the matter during this year’s legislative session.
Besides the tribal casinos, North Carolina residents living in the top half of the state have close access to casinos located just across the Virginia state line in Danville and the Hampton Roads region.
While state leaders have discussed allowing casino gaming, there have also been discussions regarding legalizing video lottery terminals statewide. VLTs in other states are often found in retail locations, such as convenience stores, truck stops, bars and restaurants.
28% Of Respondents Are Active Sports Bettors
Also in this month’s poll, Survey USA examined the popularity of North Carolina sportsbook apps. According to the results, 28% said they have placed a wager at least once since the eight online operators went live on March 11. Of those who have bet, 13% said they have done so between two and four times, and 8% said they have done so five times or more. Still, the majority of those polled, 64%, said they have yet to participate.
Figures released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission show that more than $2.9 billion has been wagered since the initial launch through August. The state has already received $63.2 million in tax revenue during those five and a half months. That nearly equals the $64.6 million estimate proponents said North Carolina would receive from the 18% levy on operator revenues for the first year.
