North Carolina sports betting topped $600 million for the fifth straight month in January, marking a 7% increase from the same month last year.
More than $3.55 billion in sports wagers flowed through North Carolina sportsbooks from September through January, aligning with the football calendar and closing out the 2025 season.
The five-month stretch marked the most active period for legal sports betting since the market launched in March 2024.
January capped the run with more than $666 million in wagers. The total rose 7% from January 2025, according to figures released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which oversees regulated sports wagering in the state.
Super Bowl activity excluded from January totals
January figures did not include betting tied to the Super Bowl, which traditionally generates the highest single-day wagering volume of the season. The game concluded the 2025 season. North Carolina had been forecast to record more than $75 million in bets on the event.
Since sports betting began in March 2024, monthly paid wagers have topped $600 million nine times, including two months exceeding $700 million, across a 23-month span.
Revenue totals and tax collections
Bettors have placed more than $12.6 billion in paid wagers since launch, along with an additional $691 million in promotional bets. Operators have generated just under $1.4 billion in gross wagering revenue, based on Lottery Commission calculations.
The state has collected more than $250 million in taxes from sportsbook operators. January produced $14.4 million in tax payments, the fifth straight month with more than $12 million collected. Operators pay an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue.
Tax proceeds are distributed to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, two youth sports programs, athletic departments at UNC System schools excluding NC State and North Carolina, a major events fund, and the general fund.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/10/117526-north-carolina-sports-betting-posts-7-january-increase
