North Carolina
North Carolina one vote away from legalized online sports betting
![North Carolina one vote away from legalized online sports betting North Carolina one vote away from legalized online sports betting](https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_20186063-scaled.jpg?w=1200&h=628&crop=1)
The House of Representatives is one more vote in the affirmative away from likely legalizing North Carolina online sports betting and expanding brick-and-mortar sports betting throughout the Tar Heel State.
This afternoon the House voted in favor of concurrence for the changes made by the Senate to HB 347 by a 67-42 vote. The bill will likely be heard and voted on in a third reading tomorrow before potentially being sent to Gov. Roy Cooper (D) for his signature.
The entire vote and discussion lasted all of five minutes, but expect the third reading and final vote to include more fireworks from sports betting opponents.
Final vote likely to include more opposition
Rep. Jason Saine (R-97), the original author of HB 347, opened up discussion on the bill and moved that the House concur with the bill’s changes.
The second reading and vote included no debate and little comment from House of Representatives members. However, Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-61), an outspoken opponent of the sports betting bill, questioned if she and other representatives would have the opportunity to discuss the changes made to the bill on the House floor.
House Speaker Tim Moore (R-111) said more debate would be allowed for on third reading, which he said could take place as early on Wednesday afternoon.
If approved by the House and signed into law by Governor Cooper, HB 347 will legalize 12 online sports betting licenses and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at “places of public accommodation.” Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will be allowed on the property of a stadium or arena, or within one-and-a-half miles of the facility. The sportsbooks will only accept cash bets.
These brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will be allowed at up to eight “places of public accommodation” in the state. Each of the licensed stadiums or arenas will be allowed to partner with up to one online sports betting operator.
The bill has been amended considerably since its House approval in March, namely by increasing the tax rate from 14% to 18%, allowing a brick-and-mortar betting element, adding pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, and disallowing sports betting operators to deduct promotional bets from their gross revenues.
Sports betting will be launched in the state “no later than 12 months after the act becomes law.” This likely sets up a sports betting launch sometime in 2024.
The approved bill sets a sports betting tax rate at 18% of gross gaming revenue and allows for pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. It allows allows bets on professional sports, college sports (including in-state schools), eSports, and the Olympic games.
At an 18% tax rate on gross gaming revenue, the state estimates $22.1 million in total sports wagering tax and fee revenue by FY 2023-2024, which increases to $100.6 million by FY 2027-28.
Proposed sports betting revenue distribution
If approved, North Carolina sports betting tax revenues will be distributed as follows:
- $2 million annually for gambling addiction and treatment services
- $1 million annually to Division of Parks and Recreation for the purchase of youth sports equipment
- $300,000 each annually to seven state universities for their athletic departments
- $1 million annually to Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council for grants
If there is any remaining revenue, it will be distributed as follows:
- 20% to 13 historically black colleges and universities for their athletic departments
- 30% to a fund to attract major sporting events to the state (Super Bowl, March Madness, etc.)
- 50% to the state’s general fund
Online sports betting licenses will cost $1 million for a five-year license.
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North Carolina
Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot
![Alabama man on work trip stops to buy quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot Alabama man on work trip stops to buy quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/02/USAT/74654762007-screenshot-15.png?auto=webp&crop=1164,656,x0,y114&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Christopher Baker of Leesburg, Alabama was on a work trip in Hickory, North Carolina, when he thought he’d try his luck on a lotto game. It turned out to be a lucrative Powerball win.
An Alabama man on a work trip in North Carolina bought a $3 Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim and walked away with a six-figure windfall.
Christopher Baker of Leesburg in northeastern Alabama bought his lucky ticket in July in Hickory, North Carolina, where had been traveling for work, according to Powerball.
When the numbers were drawn, Baker says he had to do a double-take when he realized he had a $100,000 winning ticket. He had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, which would have been $50,000, but a 2X multiplier doubled the win and the disbelief.
“I just kept looking at it to make sure I was reading it right,” he laughed, according to Powerball. “I told my family but they didn’t believe me. either.”
Baker, who called his win “a shocker.” said he plans to save his winnings to buy a house.
Baker will take home $71,501 after federal and state taxes are withheld.
How to play the Powerball
In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
Players can also ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick” where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.
Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there’s no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.
Where to purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
North Carolina
Obituary for Kristie Lee Sturgill Blake at Market Street Chapel
North Carolina
NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson
![NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2209,h_1242,x_1298,y_403/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/nba_draft/01j462h25vxrtranzx37.jpg)
Drake Powell
Guard | UNC
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 185 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 19.78
As a natural wing or off-ball guard, Powell has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level. He boasts the positional size and athleticism to exploit his opponents on either end of the floor. Overall, he’s a very smart player with a competitive edge and is willing to adapt to what his team needs to win.
Powell is really best as an off-ball player offensively, especially given he’s not known for being a self-creator or primary ball-handler. However, he is a smart cutter and has found ways to position himself for success when finding space. To really take his game overall to the next level, the North Carolina freshman will need to prove he can become a better shooter. Whether it’s in the mid-range or beyond the arc, his jumper is inconsistent. Again, as an offensive prospect, he needs to improve to really become a two-way threat. The physical traits are there for him to get where he needs to be, but the development of his offensive game is a huge swing for Powell in terms of draft stock.
On the defensive end of the floor, Powell really shines. His athletic tools allow him to be all over the place and make plays on and off of the ball. He is quick, boasts length and is very smart as a defender. When thinking about what will differentiate him from other prospects at the next level, it will be his upside as a defensive prospect. He plays with tremendous energy and effort and he makes those around him better on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, he is one of the best defenders in the entire freshman class.
If Powell can convince NBA teams that he has the future projection of being a better offensive player, there’s no question he could be one of the most impactful players in the draft. In the meantime, he can lean on his defensive abilities to contribute to winning. The former five-star recruit is following in the footsteps of his father as a Tar Heel, as he played baseball for North Carolina when he was in school.
Mid to Late Lottery Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
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