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North Carolina Sportsbooks Reach Record Handle in March 2025

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: April 9, 2025 9:23 AM EDT • 1 min 41 sec read.

North Carolina Sportsbooks Reach Record Handle in March 2025
Pictured: North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Courtney Banghart works with guard Reniya Kelly during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Vasha Hunt via Imagn Images.

A good month for our best sports betting sites in the Tar Heel State.

According to figures published by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, North Carolina sports betting had a great month, most likely spurred on by the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The American Gaming Association, which estimated that $1.39 billion would be wagered on Super Bowl LIX, also released a statement estimating that Americans would wager $3.1 billion during March Madness. 

Total wagering revenue increased by nearly $150 million compared to February 2025, with wagers rising from $543.4 million to $685 million, a 26% month-on-month increase. This is the highest recorded amount for the Tar Heel State so far during the 2025 fiscal year. November 2024 had the second-highest recorded amount, with wagers reported at $657.6 million. North Carolina sports betting apps have continued to flourish.

Likewise, paid wagering revenue rose from $525.9 million to $667 million, a 26.8% month-on-month increase. Promo wagering revenue increased from $17.4 million to $17.9 million, a rise of 2.9%, and reported winnings rose from $485.1 million to $643.6 million. In contrast, however, gross wagering revenue declined from $55.6 million to $38.1 million, a 31.5% month-on-month decline. 

North Carolina celebrates first year of sports betting

Sports betting became legal in North Carolina at the beginning of March 2024. Since then, eight sportsbook operators have been licensed to work in the state, including Underdog Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, ESPN Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM. 

Since its legalization, sportsbook promotional bets have topped $6.6 billion, and gross wagering revenue has produced over $713.8 million. April 2024 experienced the highest revenue, generating over $105.2 million, and August 2024 has so far experienced the lowest revenue total, producing $33.7 million. There are a host of North Carolina sportsbook promos for residents to use.

The regulator has also stressed that over $128 million in proceeds were generated in the state’s first year of legalized sports betting. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission currently taxes operators at 18%. 

The North Carolina Department of Revenue then collects this money and distributes it between various state funds, including collegiate sports, youth sports, major events, and the State’s General Fund. In addition, $2 million is annually donated to the NC Problem Gambling Program. 

"Building a legal sports wagering program in North Carolina from the ground up required dedicated teamwork. I want to thank the Commission and our staff for their efforts that led to the successful sports wagering launch one year ago. From the moment work began, the goals stayed the same: to create a program that protects North Carolinians and raises revenue for our state responsibly,” commented Chief Regulatory Officer Eric Snider.

Written By:
Ziv Chen
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.