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- North Carolina generated substantial sports betting tax revenue last month, reflecting continued state market activity under a newly elevated tax rate.
- State officials noted that while collections dipped slightly from July, overall handle and year-over-year figures remain robust for authorized sportsbooks.
North Carolina collected $11,229,280 in sports wagering tax revenue in August 2026, down from July under the state’s new 23% tax rate but still above the $9,739,814 reported in August 2025.
The monthly dip matters because August was only the second month under North Carolina’s higher tax on gross wagering revenue, which was increased from 18% to 23%. The latest figures also show the state’s sports betting market remains a meaningful revenue source even in a softer month, parallel to how policymakers weigh prospective expansions like an online casino framework to capture additional digital gaming revenue.
More than $520 million was wagered on sporting events in August, while bettors won more than $467 million, according to figures cited from the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The state’s gross wagering revenue taxed for the month was $48,990,555.
August declines from July as higher tax rate remains in place
The Center Square reported that legalized sports wagering revenue for the state fell by more than $90,000 a day in August compared with July. Even so, the year-over-year comparison remained positive, with August 2026 topping the same month in 2025.
Since legal sports wagering launched on March 11, 2024, North Carolina has collected $334,431,626 over 904 days available for play. That works out to an average of $369,946 per day since inception.
The state’s strongest monthly takes since launch have included:
- April 2024: $18,945,301
- November: $16,728,516
- December: $14,672,613
- January: $14,460,977
- October: $14,066,214
Funding changes extend beyond the betting market
The tax increase is tied to a revised distribution model for sports wagering proceeds. Under that change, Carolina and N.C. State are each projected to receive nearly $6 million annually.
Another policy change allows gamblers who itemize deductions to claim up to $2,000. That deduction adjustment is forecast to reduce general fund revenue by about $19 million.
The source report did not identify which sportsbook operators accounted for August’s total, and it did not break out online versus retail wagering. The next monthly revenue release from state officials will provide the next read on whether August was a brief slowdown or part of a broader seasonal trend.
Source: As reported by wataugademocrat.com.
