- Operators must now partner with a pro sports team, NASCAR, the PGA, or select auto race tracks and golf courses.
- The change was attached to the state’s $30 billion annual budget bill, which passed both the House and Senate.
- Governor Roy Cooper expressed disappointment with the bill but allowed it to become law without his signature, primarily due to its inclusion of Medicaid expansion.
Lawmakers in North Carolina General Assembly have made a last-minute overhaul to the way the state will issue NC sports betting licenses to operators before next year’s launch.
A proposal to require operators to form a partnership — with either a professional sports team, two auto racing tracks, two golf courses, NASCAR, or the PGA — before receiving a license from the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCLC) was attached to the state’s $30 billion annual budget bill.
The bill, HB 259, sailed through both chambers of the General Assembly on Friday. It passed the House of Representatives on a 70-40 vote, then cleared the Senate, 26-17.
Despite his displeasure with parts of the bill, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper said he would allow it to become law without his signature.
“Make no mistake, overall this is a bad budget that seriously shortchanges our schools, prioritizes power grabs, keeps shady backroom deals secret and blatantly violates the constitution, and many of its provisions will face legal action,” Cooper said Friday.
