North Carolina Betting Handle Passes $725 Million in March

North Carolina recorded a handle of $725 million in March, a 6% year-on-year increase from the previous year’s figure of $685 million, mainly driven by college basketball.

Charlotte Capewell

Last Updated: April 9, 2026 11:54 AM EDT • 2 minute read

Pictured: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Indya Nivar scores a layup as we look at the North Carolina sports betting financials for March 2026. Photo by Chris Jones-Imagn Images

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North Carolina sportsbooks recorded a total handle of $725 million last month, a 6% increase compared to the previous year’s figure of $685 million.

March marks the second-year anniversary of the legalization of North Carolina sports betting, which went live on March 11, 2024. That month, sportsbooks reported a handle of $659 million, reflecting a swift rise in wagers over the years.

March Madness appears to have been the main driver of wagers in March, particularly the matchups involving North Carolina and Duke during the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Charlotte and the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

The start of the MLB season, which began in March, also coincided with the state’s betting handle.

Since the legalization of sports betting in 2024, North Carolina bettors have wagered $14.7 billion, including both paid and promotional bets, and have received approximately $13 billion in winnings. Residents continue to take advantage of North Carolina sportsbook promos.

State revenue from taxes totaled roughly $13.6 million last month, while total tax revenue from the sports betting sector since launch has reached $275 million.

South Carolina lawmakers debate legalization

While North Carolina sports betting apps continue to bask in revenue from legal sports betting across state lines, lawmakers in South Carolina are also considering a new bill to legalize sports betting.

Senate Bill 444 would create a regulated market, including the founding of a South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission. The bill would also include a 12.5% tax on sports wagering receipts, while limiting the number of licensed operators to eight.

The role of the Commission would be to oversee licensing, conduct investigations, impose fines on companies that violate the rules, and liaise with sports governing bodies to restrict bet types.

Currently, sports betting is illegal in South Carolina, and geolocation restrictions stop residents from accessing the best sports betting sites. Speaking about the current situation, however, Senator Josh Kimbrell said this didn’t mean people in South Carolina weren't betting.

"Last year, North Carolina made $129 million off of these online sports bets. DraftKings, that kind of thing. While South Carolinians, hundreds of thousands of them, are going across the North Carolina to place the same bet,” he said.

According to Kimbrell, the bill could mean income of between $50 million and $60 million annually for the state, from which funds would go to the general fund, local government, the Department of Mental Health, and administrative costs.

The bill is currently under review by a Senate subcommittee and could advance to a full committee for further consideration if approved.

Written by:
Charlotte Capewell

Charlotte’s love for all things iGaming shines through in everything she writes. From sports betting and U.S. legislation to prediction markets and beyond, she blends sharp analysis with storytelling that makes even the most technical topics come alive. Always chasing the next big scoop, Charlotte keeps a close eye on industry news, eager to share her excitement and insights with readers, whether they’re industry veterans or newcomers discovering iGaming for the first time. When she’s not deep in gaming headlines, you’ll probably find her glued to the F1, cheering on her favorite team, Williams, and driver. Her dream? To be trackside at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, notebook in hand, of course.