¹ÏÉñapp

Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, told ¹ÏÉñapp Monday that he's leaving the legislature to pursue new opportunities. He said he would release more specifics later Monday.

NCAA President Charlie Baker recently posted a statement urging lawmakers to ban collegiate-level prop betting, where bets are based on the individual accomplishments of individual players. In the statement, he mentioned his concern over prop betting’s effect on the integrity of games and athlete harassment.

North Carolinians can now bet on sporting events online. Eight online and mobile sports betting platforms launched Monday at noon.

Today, North Carolina becomes the thirtieth state to allow online sports betting. And while some sports fans see it as overdue, and it’s clearly a big financial win for… someone, gambling addiction experts worry there will be fallout.

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission announced Thursday the successful initial applicants for the interactive sports wagering operator licenses. Starting at noon Friday these companies can begin registering adults who want to play when betting is set to begin at noon March 11.

A gambling package that failed to pass last year sought the construction of four more casinos and the state licensing of gambling machines. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters Wednesday that video machines are still being talked about among colleagues.

While it comes with its critics and concerns, sports betting could benefit 10 UNC System schools, including UNC Pembroke, in a big way. Once betting begins, those schools – the 10 with the smallest athletic department budgets – will split 20% of the yearly tax revenue from legal gambling in North Carolina.

Prospects that another expansion of gambling in North Carolina will be included in a state government budget look unclear after House Republicans gauged support in their caucus.

State lawmakers are considering a plan to allow up to four new casinos in rural areas of the state. They see a newly opened casino in Danville, Virginia as an example of how gambling could help economically challenged communities.

Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters Thursday that Republicans are working on legislation that would allow for casinos in Nash, Rockingham and Anson counties.