The state of North Carolina is moving closer to legalizing mobile sports betting as the Senate Commerce Committee has approved a bill that would allow mobile sportsbooks to operate in the state. The bill, HB 347, aims to expand the current gambling market in North Carolina.

Currently, only retail sportsbooks are permitted in the state. However, if this bill becomes law, it would allow for the introduction of mobile sports betting as well. The bill was initially approved by the House Commerce Committee earlier this year, but concerns were raised about the inclusion of sweepstakes parlors featuring video lottery machines in the legislation.

In response to these concerns, the bill has been amended. The amended version now enables the state lottery to license and regulate up to 34,000 video lottery machines across North Carolina. Sweepstakes parlors have been a contentious issue in the state, with recent crackdowns on illegal gambling activities in some arcades. Supporters of the amended bill argue that it will help eliminate such illegal operations.

Under the new legislation, the state lottery would have oversight over legal video gambling. All legal machines would be connected to a central network, with 40% of the machine profits directed to the state.

Before the bill can become law, it must go through two more committees in the Senate and then proceed to a floor vote. However, Governor Roy Cooper has already expressed his support for legalizing mobile sports betting in North Carolina, indicating that he would back the legislation.