North Carolina sports betting hold hits 11.65% in May

North Carolina Sees Monthly Dip in Sports Betting Spend, Yet Revenue Surges

In May, North Carolina’s sports betting sector witnessed a notable hold of 11.65%, reflecting year-on-year growth in both revenue and overall handle. This development indicates a dynamic landscape for the state’s regulated betting framework.

According to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, gross wagering revenue for May reached an impressive $65.2 million. This figure not only marks a 3.33% increase over last year but also showcases a robust 39.3% boost compared to April 2024—a particularly strong month following the introduction of online betting in the state.

Nevertheless, this revenue figure remains significantly below the record-setting $105.3 million reported in April 2024, which marked the debut month for legal online betting operations.

Monthly Handle Analysis in North Carolina

Examining the spending dynamics, the total paid wagering handle came in at $547.8 million, supplemented by $14.4 million in promotional betting. This brings the total monthly handle to $562.2 million, demonstrating a 7% year-on-year increase but a slight decline of 2.4% from the $570.2 million wagered in April. It’s important to note that this figure still lags behind the state’s all-time high of $695 million recorded in March 2025.

The statewide hold of 11.65% also reflects a decreasing trend compared to 12.01% in May 2024, although it marks an improvement from April’s 8.12% hold, suggesting a recovery in player engagement.

Tax revenue projections for May estimate $11.7 million, adding to the notion that this marks the highest monthly income since January’s $13.4 million, indicating a positive trend for state funding from sports betting activities.

While the commission refrains from disclosing individual operator performance details, prominent players such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics remain actively engaged in the North Carolina sports betting market, contributing to its ongoing growth and competitiveness.