Many North Carolina parents are seeking help for their child’s sports betting problem. The help-seeking comes as the Carolina Panthers recklessly advertise gambling in the state.
Half of calls to North Carolina’s problem gambling helpline related to sports betting are from a parent of someone who is experiencing problem gambling.
Sports betting is the leading reason for calls to the NC gambling helpline.
Size of the NC Betting Problem
North Carolina launched sports betting in March 2024, and as of September 2025, state-sanctioned betting apps had won roughly $1 billion from people in the state, according to data compiled by Legal Sports Report.
According to data from the most recently completed fiscal year, there were 8,153 total calls to the state’s helpline, up 11.1% compared to the prior fiscal year.
Below is a data table from the Annual Problem Gambling Program Update presented at September 2025’s meeting of the North Carolina Lottery. The data was provided to Gambling Harm.
| FY 2025 | FY 2024 | Percent Change | |
| Total calls answered | 8,153 | 7,335 | 11.15% |
| Intake (help-seeking) calls | 1,252 | 1,125 | 11.29% |
| Text intakes | 459 | 257 | 78.60% |
| Chat intakes | 272 | 157 | 73.25% |
| GamBan Codes distributed | 206 | 136 | 51.47% |
| Callers referred to treatment | 976 | 711 | 37.27% |
Only a small percentage of the calls (<10%) included data on the caller’s “primary gambling preference.”
About 25-30% of the calls with data mentioned sports as the primary gambling preference.
And among those calls, half were from a parent or parents. The legal sports betting age is 21.
The report also mentioned that people struggling with sports betting problems tended to be younger than other help-seekers. They often had a sports betting problem for less than a year, suggesting sports betting addiction can escalate relatively quickly compared to other gambling forms.
Sports bettors were found to be less likely to accept treatment. It makes sense considering that the vast majority of young sports bettors think they can reliably make money through betting, according to betting addiction stats.
North Carolina Betting Help
If you’re in North Carolina and experiencing problems with your betting, free and confidential help is available statewide 24/7.
Call the North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-718-5543.
The number will provide you options for screening, referrals to licensed counselors, and telehealth options.
Consider self-exclusion through North Carolina’s program.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can also call or text 988 immediately.
The NC Problem Gambling Administrator is Amanda Winters (amanda.winters@dhhs.nc.gov).
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