North Carolina’s regulated sports betting market reached a new high in October 2025, generating more than $811 million in total wagers and marking the strongest monthly performance since the state introduced legal online betting in March 2024. The results include $784 million in paid bets, representing the first time the state has exceeded both the $700 million paid handle and the $800 million total wagering threshold. This milestone surpasses the previous record of $685 million set in March 2025 and showcases the rapid progression of the state’s betting ecosystem within just 18 months of operation.
Officials attribute the surge to an unusually busy sporting calendar. October featured the conclusion of a high-intensity World Series, substantial NFL action, peak college football activity, and the opening weeks of the NBA and NHL regular seasons. These events collectively boosted player engagement across licensed online sportsbooks. According to data released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, bettors have now placed more than $10.5 billion in paid bets and over $11.2 billion in total wagers since legalisation.
October also delivered the highest monthly payout figures since launch, with nearly $729 million returned to bettors. Tax revenue reached $14 million, adding to the state’s cumulative total of more than $205 million collected from sports betting operators. Despite national betting scandals involving multiple sports leagues, North Carolina regulators emphasised that their systems remain tightly supervised and structurally sound.
The market continues to evolve, with PENN Entertainment preparing to transition its ESPN BET platform to theScore Bet in December. Analysts expect wagering volumes to rise again through the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl, positioning North Carolina as one of the fastest-growing sports betting markets in the United States.
