North Carolina lawmakers have rejected by a single vote legislation that would have allowed sports betting in the US state.
Members of the North Carolina House voted against the SB688 bill on Wednesday (22 June) by 51-50 at second reading. The legislation had already been passed by the state Senate.
While another gambling bill, SB38, passed the House by a single vote, that legislation was designed to amend SB688 so it cannot progress alone.
Lawmakers could still pass the law ahead of the end of the legislative session on 30 June, otherwise gambling proponents must begin the process once more later in the year.
The House Judiciary and Finance Committees passed both bills earlier this week.
Under SB688, applicants for sports betting supplier licenses must pay a fee of $15,000. Applicants for interactive sports wagering licenses must pay a fee of $500,000, while those wishing to obtain a service provider license must pay a $25,000 fee.
All licenses are valid for five years and are subject to a renewal fee of $100,000, $10,000 or $5,000 for interactive sports wagering licenses, service provider licenses and sports wagering supplier licenses respectively.
Interactive sports wagering operators must pay tax of 8% of their adjusted gross revenue to the Commission on a monthly basis.
However, under SB38 applicants for interactive sports wagering licenses would pay a fee of $1m. Service provider licensees would pay a fee of $50,000, while sports wagering supplier licensees would pay a $30,000 fee.
A bill to bring online sports wagering to North Carolina made slow progress through the state’s house last year, but stalled in November.