North Carolina

Tar Heel Downs anyone? A sports betting bill that also contains language that will legalize racing in North Carolina was passed by the North Carolina State Senate Wednesday and now heads back to the House for a final vote. A similar bill, but one that did not include racing, has already been passed by the House, which will now vote on the amended legislation. The House is expected to vote in favor of the amended bill and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is also believed to be on board. But...

Two North Carolina senators filed a bill Apr. 6 that would create a racing commission to promote and regulate a built-from-scratch Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry in a state where pari-mutuel wagering is currently not legal. Despite that seemingly large hurdle, Senators Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) and Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) for the most part sidestepped the controversial issue of horse betting in Senate Bill 629, which is titled "The North Carolina Derby Act." The only gambling-related reference within the bill comes under the definition for the proposed "North Carolina Racing Office,"...