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North Carolina online sports betting continued to post solid numbers in February, even though wagering activity fell slightly short of the $600 million level seen in recent months. Data released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission shows steady year over year growth in betting activity while sportsbook revenue also increased compared with the same period last year.
The February report arrives as the North Carolina betting market moves further into its second year of operation. Mobile wagering remains the primary channel for sports betting across the state.
Good to Know
Online sportsbooks in North Carolina accepted $596.1 million in wagers during February. The total ended a five month streak in which monthly betting handle exceeded $600 million, with the last sub $600 million figure recorded in August 2025.
Even with that streak ending, betting activity remained strong compared with the previous year. Handle reached $525.9 million in February 2025, meaning the latest figure represents a 13.3 percent increase year over year. Interest in winter sports competitions and seasonal events helped drive wagering activity during the month.
Eight licensed online sportsbook operators currently serve the North Carolina market, allowing bettors to place wagers through mobile apps across the state.
Sportsbook operators reported $58.1 million in gross revenue during February. That total represented a 4.5 percent increase compared with February last year, although revenue growth occurred at a slower pace than the increase in wagering activity.
A lower hold percentage played a role in the smaller revenue increase. Sportsbooks retained 9.7 percent of wagers during the month, down from a 10.2 percent hold recorded during February 2025. Bettors collected $535.2 million in winnings from the total amount wagered, while regulators also reported more than $2.8 million in canceled or voided wagers during the reporting period.
February revenue also dropped compared with January, when sportsbook results came in much higher. Gross revenue declined 27.6 percent month over month as betting activity cooled slightly following a strong start to the year.
Sportsbook promotional spending declined during February even though the month included the Super Bowl, which remains one of the largest betting events on the sports calendar.
Operators spent $14.4 million on promotional credits and bonuses during the month. That total came in roughly $3 million lower than promotional spending recorded during February last year. January also featured higher promotional investment, with operators reducing spending by nearly $6 million compared with the previous month.
Promotional campaigns remain a key tool for sportsbooks trying to attract and retain customers in regulated US betting markets, particularly in states where multiple operators compete for market share.
North Carolina collected $10.4 million in tax revenue from sportsbook activity during February. State law applies an 18 percent tax rate on operator gross revenue, which directs funds into state coffers each month.
Tax receipts during January and February together have produced nearly $25 million in revenue for the state during the first two months of 2026. Sports betting taxes continue to provide a growing funding source as wagering activity expands across the regulated market.
February marked the twenty fourth month of regulated online sports betting in North Carolina. Retail betting locations remain limited to three tribal casinos operating within the state, leaving mobile wagering as the dominant channel for betting activity.
Since legal sports betting launched in March 2024, bettors across North Carolina have placed nearly $14 billion in wagers through licensed mobile sportsbooks. Operators have generated $1.47 billion in cumulative gross revenue during that period.
Tax collections from sportsbook activity have reached an estimated $260 million since the launch of regulated betting.