The state Senate voted 38-11 Wednesday to legalize online sports betting and betting on horse races in North Carolina, with a closing vote set for Thursday morning.

Supporters of the invoice say gamblers within the state are already utilizing workarounds to make use of sports activities betting apps right here, they usually say the state is lacking out on income.

“In order for us to regulate and tax, we must first authorize its practice,” mentioned Sen. Tim Moffitt, D-Henderson.

The Senate model of the invoice would additionally enable folks over the age of 21 to make bets in particular person at skilled sports activities venues like Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte or PNC Arena in Raleigh.

Eleven senators from each events voted towards the invoice. Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, joined a number of Republicans in citing worries that the simple entry to playing might create main dependancy issues.

“We are now talking about putting a casino in everyone’s pocket that they can access 24/7/365,” she mentioned.

Revenue from sports activities betting would go to college sports activities applications, playing dependancy applications and a brand new fund to draw main sporting occasions to the state. Up to 12 sports activities betting platforms might buy permits for about $1 million to offer the service.

Legislative employees estimates sports activities betting would generate greater than $70 million in income as soon as it’s carried out.

If the invoice turns into legislation, sports activities betting would start subsequent yr. But earlier than the invoice goes to Gov. Roy Cooper, the House and Senate must work out the variations between their differing variations of the laws.

House Speaker Tim Moore advised reporters that it’s doable the ultimate model of the sports activities betting invoice might be mixed with different playing laws, together with a proposal so as to add extra casinos within the state and a invoice that might enable video lottery terminals.

Moore mentioned he’s seen a draft invoice that might enable casinos “in some economically distressed areas of the state,” a response to the newly opened on line casino on the state line in Danville, V.A.

“You would see all of those gaming issues dealt with in one bill,” Moore mentioned. “My preference is to try to do it all with one bill. I think that makes the most sense … You want to do it in a comprehensive way where it works.”

Senate chief Phil Berger mentioned he’s hoping the House will approve the Senate’s model of the sports activities betting invoice as-is, however he wouldn’t rule out a bigger playing omnibus invoice. He’s additionally signaled a need to think about extra casinos, citing the Danville on line casino drawing North Carolinians — Berger’s Rockingham County district is simply minutes from the Virginia metropolis.