NC Sports Betting Nets $364K Per Day

North Carolina’s legal sports betting market finished its first two years with strong financial performance, averaging more than $364,000 per day in state tax proceeds.

Since launching on March 11, 2024, bettors have wagered over $13 billion across eight operators, generating nearly $1.5 billion in gross revenue and more than $262 million in taxes—far surpassing initial legislative forecasts.

In February 2026, the final month of the second year, total wagering volume exceeded $581.6 million, with some reports placing it as high as $596.1 million, yielding roughly $58 million in gross revenue and about $10.5 million in taxes.

The consistent revenue stream supports state priorities such as gambling addiction programs, youth sports, and education, including distributions to athletic departments in 13 UNC System schools and other state funds.

Kiplinger IDs 10 Lowest Property Tax Bills in NC

Kiplinger has identified the 10 North Carolina counties with the lowest median property tax bills in a 2026 analysis, highlighting affordable rural areas from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks.

Topping the list is Hyde County, where the median annual property tax bill is just $753 on homes valued at $119,600, offering a coastal lifestyle with access to Pamlico Sound and Ocracoke Island. The other nine counties include Bertie ($764), Robeson ($799), Graham ($842), Swain ($844), McDowell ($871), Duplin ($912), Jones ($926), Jackson ($938), and Avery ($966).

These counties also feature outdoor recreation opportunities, historic sites, and rural property farther from pricier urban centers like Raleigh and Charlotte.

North Carolina’s overall effective property tax rate is 0.62%. View a list of all states’ property taxes here.

NC Gardens Announce Spring Events, Upgrades

North Carolina gardens are ushering in spring with bloom schedules, events, and enhancements.

The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville kicks off its Spring Into the Arb series on March 14. Spring at Biltmore runs March 26-May 21, showcasing thousands of blooms and debuting Luminere™, a new outdoor evening light and sound experience.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ cherry blossoms are expected to peak in Durham around March 13, with blooms typically lasting about seven days. In Raleigh, Juniper Level Botanic Garden will offer Open Garden and Nursery Days the first three weekends of May, featuring plant sales, mini-lectures, and tours of its rare plant collection.

Greensboro’s Bog Garden is set for a $1.85 million boardwalk upgrade to replace the 35-year-old structure. The 79th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival returns to Wilmington April 8-12, featuring a parade, street fair, garden tours, concerts, and fireworks.

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➤ Eastern NC: Keke Komeko Johnson, Francine Sims Super, Brandon Eugene Sims, and Kimberly Mable Sims were sentenced to more than 14 years combined in prison after pleading guilty to a $12.7 million Medicaid fraud kickback scheme at Life Touch LLC in Kinston and Goldsboro. (More)

➤ Rocky Mount: State Auditor Dave Boliek released a performance audit Monday revealing the city’s severe financial distress from 2023-25. The report cites leadership instability, lack of city council oversight, overspending millions beyond revenues, and poor due diligence in key hires. (More)

➤ Asheville: Multiple people suffered gunshot wounds in a Sunday morning downtown shooting. The victims were transported to Mission Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and police have identified at least one person of interest. (More)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Police conducted Operation QC Roadway Safety Initiative targeting illegal dirt bike and ATV use. The March 7 operation resulted in 29 charges from seven traffic stops, one arrest, and seizure of one ATV and two firearms, along with other offenses. (More)

➤ Indian Trail: A single-engine airplane crashed into a cow pasture shortly after takeoff from Goose Creek Airport on Sunday, injuring the pilot and one passenger, both of whom are in stable condition. The crash remains under investigation. (See Photo)

➤ Chapel Hill resident Lilia Austin returned home on March 7 after being stranded in Israel due to the war with Iran. Part of a 100-woman Christian tour group, she faced bomb shelters and canceled flights before escaping via Cairo, Egypt. (More)

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➤ Queens University’s 98-93 overtime win over Central Arkansas secured the program’s first NCAA men’s tournament berth in its first year eligible and fourth season of Division I play. (More)

➤ Wake Forest men’s basketball plays Virginia Tech tonight in the first round of the ACC Tournament. (More)

➤ Nineteen-year-old sled hockey player Kayden Beasley, a North Carolina native, scored a goal for Team USA at the Paralympic Games on Saturday. The U.S. beat Italy 14-1. (See Highlights)

➤ A Sports Illustrated cover featuring Michael Jordan in a Tar Heels basketball uniform sold for $229,360 last weekend, which is over $100,000 more than the previous record for a graded magazine. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with former Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips on a four-year, $120 million deal in free agency. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | World Baseball Classic

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➤ Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said there are “good indicators” Costco may reconsider its withdrawn proposal for a store at Enka Commerce Park as the city seeks state funding to cover infrastructure costs like sewer extensions and traffic improvements. (More)

➤ Housing inventory in North Carolina increased 19.6% from the previous year to 36,149 homes in February 2026, according to Realtor.com data, although it is still 11.3% lower than February 2019 pre-pandemic levels. (See Data)

➤ New data shows housing costs continue to climb in Dare and Currituck counties, with about 30% of Dare households and 25% of Currituck households classified as cost-burdened amid ongoing affordability challenges in the Outer Banks region. (More)

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➤ A 35-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linville Gorge and Mount Mitchell State Park that was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024 is expected to reopen by the end of 2026 after repairs are completed. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Zoo is mourning the death of Sam, its beloved barred owl who arrived in 2002 after a car strike and lived to an estimated 25 years—far beyond the wild lifespan of 8 to 10 years. (See Photo)

➤ Hundreds of climbers gathered in Lake Lure on Saturday for the annual Rumble bouldering festival and competition at Rumbling Bald, marking the area’s first major event since Hurricane Helene’s landslides. (See Photos)

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How do you feel about your current property tax?

1. Too high
2. About right
3. Pretty low
4. Can’t remember what it is

Yesterday’s Results:

Should Durham, Chapel Hill, or Raleigh claim the title of North Carolina’s best basketball town or city?

1. Chapel Hill: 33%
2. Durham: 28%
3. Other: 20%
4. Raleigh: 19%

What rare plant that bloomed at Raleigh’s Juniper Level Botanic Gardens last summer lasts only about 48 hours?

Show me the answer