The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has released its official sports wagering revenue report for August 2026, detailing the financial activity of licensed interactive sports betting operators across the state. The report provides a comprehensive overview of wagers, winnings, and the resulting tax proceeds for the month, compiled from data submitted by the regulated operators.
Throughout the month of August, specifically between August 1 and August 31, individuals holding accounts with licensed sports betting platforms in North Carolina placed a total of $520,469,336 on various sporting events. This total figure encompasses both wagers made with cash and those utilizing promotional credits. In return for these wagers, account holders across the state collectively received $467,747,207 in winnings during the same August period.
A critical component of sports betting regulation in North Carolina is the taxation framework. State law mandates a 23 percent tax rate on the gross wagering revenue generated through sports betting activities. The Commission's report clarifies the definition of "gross wagering revenue" as stipulated by state statute. It represents the total sum of all sports wagers received by an interactive sports wagering operator. This total explicitly includes any bonuses or promotional credits that were part of the wagers placed. From this aggregate amount, the funds paid out as winnings to account holders are then subtracted. It is important to note that this calculation occurs prior to any further deductions for operational expenses, various fees, or other applicable taxes that an operator might incur.
Based on these calculations, the gross wagering revenue for North Carolina's interactive sports betting operators in August 2026 was determined to be $48,990,555. Applying the 23 percent tax rate to this specific gross revenue figure yields an estimated amount of tax proceeds for the month. The estimated tax proceeds for August total $11,229,280. This precise figure is the amount that the N.C. Department of Revenue is charged with collecting from the sports wagering operations within North Carolina. The collection of these proceeds is a key function of the state's revenue department, contributing to state funds.
The complete August revenue report is publicly accessible. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission makes this and other relevant reports available on its official website, providing transparency and detailed information regarding the state's regulated sports betting market. This resource allows the public, stakeholders, and interested parties to review the financial performance and regulatory compliance data for the specified reporting period.
