North Carolinians wagered nearly $649 million on sports events, including paid wagering revenue and promotional wagering revenue in April. That’s down a little over $11 million from March.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission released its sports wagering activity report for April on Friday for the eight licensed interactive sports wagering operators.
Wagers were over $659 million in the state’s first three weeks of legalized sports betting.
Account holders won over $538 million from the April wagers, down from over $590 million paid out in March.
Promo wagering revenue was down significantly from March. April’s take was over $79 million, compared to March’s over $202 million.
In April, gross wagering revenue, which is the total of amounts received from sports wagers less the amounts paid as winnings before any deductions for expenses, fees, or taxes, was over $105 million, up from over $66 million in March.
State law places an 18 percent tax on the gross wagering revenue generated by sports wagering activity.
The N.C. Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting the tax proceeds from sports wagering revenue.
Since online sports betting went legal on March 11, operators have made $171.7 million in gross revenue, bringing in more than $30 million in tax revenue.
Even though The Preakness, the second race in the quest for a triple crown in horse racing, took place on Saturday, it is still illegal for bettors in North Carolina to bet on the race or any sporting event in person. Sports betting is currently only legal online.