North Carolina’s legal sports betting market continued its upward trajectory in January 2026, with bettors placing more than $686 million in total wagers during the month. The latest figures mark the fifth consecutive month that paid wagers alone have cleared the $600 million threshold, extending a run that coincided with the height of the football season.
According to data released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, total handle for January reached $686.9 million. Of that amount, $666.7 million came from paid wagers, while $22.2 million stemmed from promotional betting. An additional $3.6 million in wagers were cancelled or voided.
Monthly Growth Continues
Paid wagering in January 2026 stood 7% higher than the same month a year earlier. Players received $603.0 million in winnings during the month, resulting in $80.3 million in gross wagering revenue. Revenue climbed 7.8% year over year, though it was 1.5% lower than December. The state posted a January hold of 11.69%.
Operators paid approximately $14.5 million in taxes for the month, consistent with separate figures listing $14.4 million collected. That marked the fifth straight month with more than $12 million in tax payments. North Carolina taxes sports betting operators at 18% of gross wagering revenue.
Since the market launched in March 2024, paid wagers have surpassed $600 million nine times in 23 months, including two months above $700 million. Bettors have placed more than $12.6 billion in paid wagers and $691 million in promotional bets. Gross wagering revenue has reached nearly $1.4 billion, producing more than $250 million in tax revenue.
The September-through-January stretch generated more than $3.55 billion in paid wagers, reflecting heavy activity during football season. Bets placed on the Super Bowl were not included in January’s totals, though forecasts projected more than $75 million wagered on the game.
Revenue Approaches $500 Million Year to Date
For the seven months ending in January, total handle reached $4.51 billion, including $4.37 billion in paid wagers and $140 million in promotional bets. During that span, $25.6 million in wagers were cancelled or voided, and players collected $4.01 billion in winnings.
Gross wagering revenue for the seven-month period totaled $476.5 million, with a hold of 10.56%. Tax collections reached $85.8 million.
Eight online platforms operate in North Carolina, while retail betting is available at tribal casinos and remains untaxed by the state.
The WRAL Documentary Unit is examining the effects of legalized sports betting, with a documentary scheduled to premiere March 18.
“We’ve seen increased tax revenue from gambling obviously,”Kelly Crosbie, a director in the division of substance abuse at the NCDHHS, said during an interview for the WRAL documentary. “We’ve all seen increased advertising of every kind, on social media, billboards, radio, TV. We’ve also seen a huge increase about people reaching out for problem gambling resources.”
Source:
“North Carolina sports betting in January tops $600 million for record fifth straight month”, wral.com, February 9, 2026
The post North Carolina Betting Surpasses $600M Again first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.