Optimism for legal sports betting in North Carolina is growing as new developments have been made for Senate Bill 688, which would ultimately open the doors for sports betting in the Tar Heel State. SB 688 would also allow PGA Tour events and professional sports venues with a capacity of over 17,000  to open retail sportsbooks. A quote from one of SB 688’s sponsors, Sen. Jim Perry, states, “Many North Carolinians bet on sports today, and keeping it illegal in parts of North Carolina unfairly criminalizes an activity that is legal in most other states… Recent studies indicate sports betting would provide over $50 million for important state programs.” There are currently three tribal casinos in North Carolina with legal retail sportsbooks, but the state has been pondering expansion since the bill initially made it through the Senate in 2021. Legislators have estimated that legal sports betting in North Carolina could generate tax revenue of between $8 and $24 million a year.