NC Proposal Includes Ban on Lottery Launching Online Casino

• The proposed budget bill defines “casino-style game” as any game traditionally offered in a casino, including slots, roulette, and poker.
• The bill does not make provisions for launching online casino gaming through private operators.
• Changes in how mobile sports betting licenses are issued could require operators to have agreements with professional sports teams.
• The tax rate for mobile sports betting remains unchanged at 18%, and the launch date is set between January 8 and June 14.

A proposal by lawmakers in North Carolina to change how mobile sports betting licenses are issued also contains verbiage that would prevent the state lottery from offering online casino games.

According to a draft version of the state budget first reported by WRAL-TV in Raleigh, lawmakers are proposing to amend a section of state law devoted to limiting online lottery games.

“No lottery game shall be a simulated or an online interactive version of a casino-style game,” the budget bill states.

Specifically, HB 259 calls for adding a new subdivision that defines a “casino-style game” as a “simulated or an online interactive version of any game traditionally offered for play in a casino, including slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps, or poker.”