North Carolina’s regulated sports betting market recorded $686.9 million in total handle in January, marking steady year-on-year and month-on-month growth, according to figures released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.

The January total represented a 6.2% increase compared with the same month last year and a 3.2% rise over December. Of the total handle, $666.7 million came from paid wagers, while $22.2 million was attributed to promotional bets. A further $3.6 million in wagers were cancelled or voided during the month.

Players received $603.0 million in payouts, resulting in gross wagering revenue (GWR) of $80.3 million. That figure was 7.8% higher than in January of the previous year, though it fell 1.5% short of December’s revenue total. The state’s hold — the percentage of total wagers retained as revenue after payouts — stood at 11.69% for January, reflecting an improvement in operator margins. The month generated $14.5 million in tax revenue for the state.

 

January’s figures indicate continued stability in North Carolina’s sports betting market, with year-on-year gains in both handle and revenue supported by an improved hold and steady tax generation

Year-to-Date Revenue Approaches $500 Million

For the seven months through the end of January, North Carolina’s sports betting market recorded $4.51 billion in total handle. Of that amount, $4.37 billion consisted of paid wagers and $140 million stemmed from promotional bets.

Over the same period, $25.6 million in bets were cancelled or voided, and $4.01 billion was returned to bettors in winnings. Gross wagering revenue for the seven-month period reached $476.5 million. The cumulative hold for the period was 10.56%, while total tax revenue generated from sports wagering amounted to $85.8 million.

The commission does not publish operator-specific data. Eight online platforms are currently authorized to offer sports betting in North Carolina. Retail wagering is permitted at tribal casinos, though such activity is not subject to state taxation. January’s performance suggests continued stabilization and incremental growth in North Carolina’s sports betting market, with improved hold contributing to stronger year-on-year revenue gains despite modest month-to-month fluctuations.