NC Sports Betting Bill Gets Winning Vote From Senate Panel

Legislation to license and tax sports betting throughout North Carolina has cleared its first Senate committee. The bipartisan legislation approved on a divided voice vote Wednesday would direct the issuance of up to 12 sports wagering operators’ licenses. License fees and a tax on gross revenues would be collected by the state. The bill’s chief sponsor says many people already are wagering on collegiate and professional events through out-of-state betting sites. Sen. Jim Perry says regulating these activities would promote transparency and generate revenues for things like education. Social conservatives argue the bill would be a massive gambling expansion that leads to more gambling addicts.