North Carolina Braces for Second Year of Legal Super Bowl Betting

Experts warn of rising gambling addiction concerns as state sees surge in sports betting revenue.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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North Carolinians will be able to legally bet on the Super Bowl for the second time this Sunday, as online sports gambling has proven to be a major revenue generator for the state. However, addiction specialists caution that the accessibility of sports betting makes it easy for people to get sucked in, with research showing problem gambling is on the rise. The state requires portions of the tax revenue from sports gambling to go towards addiction education and treatment, as well as amateur sports and youth athletics.

Why it matters

The legalization of sports betting in North Carolina has raised concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction, particularly as the state sees a surge in betting activity and tax revenue. This issue highlights the need to balance the economic benefits of sports gambling with the potential social costs and ensure adequate resources are dedicated to addiction prevention and treatment.

The details

Data shows North Carolina received more than $10 million in tax revenue each month during the 2025 college football and NFL season, with bettors wagering over $350 million more in October and November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Addiction specialists like Patrick Balsley of the Sana Recovery Foundation warn that the accessibility of sports betting makes it easy for people to develop gambling problems, with depression, anxiety, and financial troubles often resulting. State law requires portions of the sports gambling tax revenue to be used for addiction education, treatment, amateur sports, and youth athletics, with the remaining funds going to the state's general fund.

  • North Carolinians will be able to legally bet on the Super Bowl for the second time this Sunday (February 9, 2026).
  • In October and November 2025, bettors wagered more than $350 million more than they did during the same period in 2024.

The players

DaJuan Miranda

A Charlotte resident who has stayed away from sports betting after initially having good luck but then seeing his luck run out.

Patrick Balsley

The founder of the Sana Recovery Foundation, who is seeing research that problem gambling is on the rise and advises those who think they might have a problem to seek help.

Nick Spath

A Charlotte resident who bets on games but has his own checks and balances, acknowledging that many people will end up as losers.

Justin Lamb

A New England Patriots fan who is stressed about his team making it to the Super Bowl, but won't need money to keep his interest on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like everybody does it. I stay away from it. My luck wasn't going too good. It started off great and my luck kind of ran out.”

— DaJuan Miranda (WBTV)

“You can't really see [gambling addiction], so a lot of [the problems] are staying inside, guys are hiding it, they're trying to make up for their losses and they continue to get in over their head. The depression seeps in, the anxiety seeps in, and they don't know how to manage it.”

— Patrick Balsley, Founder, Sana Recovery Foundation (WBTV)

“You've got to kind of remember that a lot of people are going to be losers at the end of the day, not everyone is going to be winner. You can have a friend who makes $1,000 off a bet and you can also be $200 dollars down the pipe.”

— Nick Spath (WBTV)

“I'm stressed out, extremely stressed out. I didn't plan for the Patriots to even make it here.”

— Justin Lamb (WBTV)

What’s next

State law requires portions of the tax revenue from sports gambling to go towards addiction education and treatment, as well as amateur sports, youth athletics and collegiate athletics. 50% of the remaining money goes towards the state's general fund.

The takeaway

The legalization of sports betting in North Carolina has created a new revenue stream for the state, but also raised concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction. As the state sees a surge in betting activity, it will be crucial to ensure adequate resources are dedicated to addiction prevention and treatment to mitigate the social costs of this new industry.