Kris Johnson Deputy Editor -- CasinoBeats.com
Kris Johnson is a Charlotte-based deputy editor. He joined CasinoBeats in July 2025 and oversees the daily news flow of editing and publishing. Kris also reports on all aspects of the gambling industry with a...
Read Full BioNorth Carolina’s burgeoning sports betting industry continues to set records.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC) released its sports wagering revenue report for October 2025. Last month saw a record $811.4 million wagered at the state’s eight licensed online sportsbooks. That marked the first time since North Carolina legalized sports betting in March 2024 that more than $800 million was wagered in a single month.
Tar Heel State’s Surge in Sports Betting Continues
The NCSLC’s report revealed a dramatic rise in handle and winnings. Here are key stats for October 2025:
- $784.3 million in paid wagering revenue
- $811.4 million in total wagering revenue (includes bonuses and promotions)
- $728.9 million in winnings paid out to bettors, the highest in a single month since launch
The previous record for paid wagering revenue ($667 million) was set in March 2025, likely due to the impact of March Madness. The NCSLC’s monthly reports don’t include data or a breakdown of money wagered on specific sports or events. October is perennially strong with the start of new football seasons already underway and all four professional sports in action.
The total handle in October shattered the previous record ($685 million, also set in March of this year) by $126 million. North Carolina added more than $14 million in tax revenue to the state’s coffers in October.
Sports Betting Scene in North Carolina
North Carolina currently has eight licensed online sportsbook (OSB) operators. They include:
- BetMGM
- bet365
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- ESPN BET
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel
- Underdog Sports
ESPN Bet will shutter nationally on December 1 after PENN Entertainment terminated its partnership with ESPN last week. ESPN Bet account holders will be transferred to theScore Bet, Penn’s Ontario-based platform that will now serve customers in the US and Canada.
North Carolina also has three tribal casinos. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel are located in the western part of the state and close to Tennessee. Two Kings Casino, currently operating out of a temporary facility, is approximately 35 miles from Charlotte, the state’s largest city.
Two Kings Casino, which entered a multi-year partnership deal with the Carolina Panthers in July, is undergoing a $1 billion expansion. The newly branded Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort is expected to open in 2027.
When North Carolina legalized sports betting, there was much chatter about the potential for retail sportsbooks in the greater Charlotte metro area. Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, and Charlotte Motor Speedway were among the potential sites, but online sports betting now poses a significant challenge for venue-based sportsbooks. None of the brick-and-mortar projects came to fruition.
ESPN Bet did have a branded “members’ lounge” at Quail Hollow Club during the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship, but a true retail sportsbook never materialized. ESPN Bet’s Mint Club VIP Lounge was also available for this year’s PGA Championship in Charlotte.
