How North Carolina, Delaware, and Vermont fared in the first year with legalized sports betting

In 2024, three more U.S. states — Delaware, Vermont, and North Carolina — officially legalized sports betting, bringing the total number of states with legal sports wagering to 38, plus the District of Columbia. But how did sports bettors in these newly legalized states respond to the change? Were they eager to place their bets, and how much revenue did these states generate in their first year? Let’s dive into the details for North Carolina, Delaware, and Vermont and explore how these states have fared in the first year of sports betting. North Carolina The biggest sports betting launch in 2024 was in North Carolina, which rolled out legal sports betting with major fanfare. By March 11, eight of the top sportsbooks were licensed and operational in the state. These included industry giants such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, bet365, ESPN Bet, and Underdog Sports. North Carolina stands out as the only state where Underdog Sports operates a sportsbook, even though the brand has been active in the fantasy sports market across several other states under its Underdog Fantasy banner, which offers its popular pick’em contests. The state saw immediate action, with residents diving into sports betting across both online and mobile platforms. North Carolina’s sports betting market has generated considerable revenue, showing that the state’s passionate fan base is eager to place wagers on their favorite sports, particularly with apps they already trust. As we track the state’s progress, North Carolina is positioned to be a major player in the sports betting market, with impressive growth in the initial stages.