North Carolina April Sports Betting Handle Jumps 6% Year-Over-Year
North Carolina April sports betting activity generated $612.5 million in handle, representing a 6% year-over-year increase from the $576.2 million wagered during the same period in 2025. The performance marked the seventh time in eight months that bettors in the state wagered over $600 million. Consequently, April’s results pushed total paid wagering past the $14 billion mark since North Carolina sports betting launched in March 2023. The state collected $11.6 million in taxes during April, contributing to cumulative tax collections exceeding $287 million since launch. Revenue also spiked significantly, climbing more than 37% compared to April 2025.
April Betting Handle Surpasses $612 Million Despite Seasonal Slowdown
The eight licensed interactive sports wagering operators in North Carolina posted a monthly decline from March 2026, when handle reached $726.2 million. This drop reflects a pattern of decreased interest during spring and summer months, a seasonal rhythm that has become predictable across the sports betting market.
Following the seasonal calendar, April benefited from a full month of Major League Baseball action and the Masters golf tournament, which helped sustain wagering above the $600 million threshold. Whereas April 2024 generated nearly 6% more in total wagers than the current period, operators faced different market dynamics in the latest reporting month.
The hold rate dropped to 8.2%, marking the sixth-lowest win rate ever recorded in the Tar Heel State. For the first time since July 2025, sportsbooks kept their hold under double digits. Bettors won back less than $600 million for just the third time in eight months.
The fiscal year performance through April showed cumulative paid wagers of $5.6 billion. When including promotional and bonus bets, total wagering exceeded $15.3 billion since the March 2023 launch. North Carolina sports betting operators distributed $18 million in promotional wagering during April, down from March’s $20.8 million but higher than February’s $14.4 million.
Revenue and Operator Performance Paint Mixed Picture
Operators generated $64.50 million in gross revenue during April 2026, marking the second-lowest monthly profit figure behind February’s performance. However, this represented a significant 37.6% increase compared to April 2025, when sportsbooks produced $46.80 million in revenue.
The revenue spike occurred despite lower handle figures, owing to improved win margins that benefited operators during the playoff season. North Carolina sports betting market showed continued stability more than a year after legalization, with monthly wagering activity growing normalized.
While April handle remained below the launch-period numbers from 2024, the market demonstrated sustained bettor engagement. By comparison, gross wagering revenue climbed from $46.80 million last April to $64.50 million this year.
The state maintains an 18% tax rate on gross gaming revenue, with proceeds allocated to the General Fund, youth sports programs, and gambling addiction education initiatives. Through 10 months of fiscal year 2026, North Carolina accumulated $5.6 billion in paid wagers and $110 million in taxes. The state remains on pace to surpass FY2025’s benchmarks of $6.4 billion in paid wagers and $116 million in tax collections.
Tax Collections Continue Fueling State Budget
North Carolina sports betting tax collections have substantially exceeded initial legislative projections. Fiscal research conducted during the bill’s passage estimated the state wouldn’t reach $100 million in annual tax revenue until the 2027-28 fiscal year. However, the first full year of operations through March 2026 generated $131.3 million in taxes, shattering those conservative forecasts.
The state allocates sports betting tax revenue across multiple programs. Each of 13 UNC System schools receives $300,000 annually, though UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State are excluded from this distribution. These institutions also receive 20% of remaining proceeds after other mandatory allocations. Additional funding flows to the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction education and treatment programs. Youth sports organizations, outdoor recreation initiatives, and a fund designed to attract major sporting events to North Carolina also benefit from the tax proceeds.
Political debate surrounding the tax rate emerged during budget discussions. The state Senate proposed doubling the current 18% rate to 36%, triggering pushback from industry stakeholders. The House-passed budget maintained the existing 18% structure. With fiscal year 2026 budget negotiations ongoing, the tax rate remains unchanged at 18%.
Since launch, cumulative tax collections have reached approximately $287 million, positioning North Carolina among states successfully monetizing legalized sports betting markets.
