North Carolina sports wagers well over $1 billion in first months under new law, report says

People in North Carolina have bet over $1 billion on sports through several gambling operators authorized under a state law to begin taking online wagers two months ago, according to a report released Friday. The customers’ early losses are resulting in tens of millions of dollars in state revenue.

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which regulates the betting, said that gamblers wagered $1.026 billion on sports activities from smart phones and desktops from March 11 through April 30. That rises to $1.308 billion when “promotional wagers” — incentives offered by companies for new customers to gamble — are included.

Customers have generated winnings of $1.129 billion, although the paid winnings for all of April were $53.3 million less compared to winnings from the three weeks in March when gambling was permitted, the commission report said.