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How Will North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Impact Neighboring States?

Smith Gracelynn

Updated on March 12, 2024 at 1:14 PM EDT, this article is a 2 minute and 5 second read. For more information, check out the Twitter and Google News links.

Brock Bowers of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a touchdown and reacts with Carson Beck as we look at the latest resolution passed by the Georgia Senate regarding sports betting.
Brock Bowers of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a touchdown and reacts with Carson Beck against the UAB Blazers in Athens, Georgia. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images via AFP.

North Carolina residents can now legally participate in online sports betting, beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Bettors in the Tar Heel State have the option to place their first wagers on any of the eight licensed online sportsbooks.

North Carolina is bordered by Virginia to the north, Tennessee to the west, and South Carolina and Georgia to the south. The introduction of legal North Carolina sports betting apps allows patrons to conveniently place online sports bets without having to travel out of state.

With the recent legalization of sports betting in North Carolina and the high uptake of available promotions by early sign-ups, what consequences will this have on the neighboring states that share a border?

Georgia

Despite four consecutive years of legislative attempts, Georgia is still one of 20 U.S. states that prohibits sports betting, including online sports betting and casinos.

Residents of Georgia can place sports bets on the Emerald Princess cruise ship in Brunswick while in international waters, as there are no betting options available within the state. The recent legalization of sports betting in North Carolina will not affect Georgia, as North Carolina residents have never been able to cross the border to place bets in Georgia.

However, there could be an increase in interest among Georgia residents traveling to North Carolina for some gambling excitement.

South Carolina

Similar to Georgia, South Carolina does not permit sports betting, whether online or at physical locations. Despite proposed legislation being introduced in four out of the last five years, the proposals have made minimal progress in the state.

South Carolina is not expected to legalize sports betting in the near future. However, the legalization of sports betting in North Carolina will not affect its southern neighbor. The close proximity to North Carolina may attract many South Carolina residents who are interested in betting to travel north to place their bets.

Tennessee

Casinos are prohibited by Tennessee law, but the state permits online sports betting through its 10 licensed sportsbooks such as BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

North Carolina residents near the Tennessee border now have the convenience of legally betting on sports online, eliminating the need for a trip across the border to cities like Knoxville, Chattanooga, Gatlinburg, Johnson City, and Bristol.

Luckily for the Tennessee sports betting market, the tourism in those cities will help mitigate any negative effects of North Carolina legalizing sports betting. However, it is expected that Tennessee may see a decrease in revenue as residents from North Carolina no longer need to travel across the border to place online sports bets.

Virginia

Virginia’s sports betting options surpass those of any of its neighboring states, with the Old Dominion State boasting a total of three casinos.

  • Caesars VA (Danville)
  • Rivers Casino (Portsmouth)
  • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Bristol)

The state’s three casinos are just a quick drive from the North Carolina border. While some may find the appeal of betting in person at these venues, the ease and convenience of betting from home through a licensed online sportsbook could potentially decrease attendance from North Carolina residents.

With a total of 16 Virginia sports betting apps available, the state offers one of the most diverse selections among those with legal online sports betting. Due to its proximity to North Carolina, Virginia’s online sports betting market may be impacted as residents no longer need to travel to make their wagers.

Written By:
Smith Gracelynn
Zak is a lucky husband and blessed father of four. He’s been writing about sports since 2018 with prior stops at FantasyPros, RotoWire, and FantasyLabs. In addition to Underscoreg Review, you can find his work at NBC Sports Edge, Yahoo, and OwnersBox. When he’s not writing, Zak can be found playing the guitar, hanging out with his family, coaching his son’s basketball team, or laughing way too hard at old Simpsons episodes.