North Carolina Uses Sports Betting Revenue to Fund Youth Sports Projects

North Carolina is reinvesting sports betting revenue into its communities by funding youth sports programs across the state. Following the legalization of mobile sports betting earlier in 2024, state lawmakers have directed a portion of the tax revenue toward local sports initiatives aimed at improving access to athletics for young athletes.

The initiative, spearheaded by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, provides grants of up to $20,000 per county. These funds are available to local agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations that run youth sports programs. The goal is to enhance sports infrastructure, provide necessary equipment, and expand participation opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.

State officials see this as a way to balance the economic impact of sports betting with positive community investment. "Sports betting has generated significant revenue, and we want to ensure that some of that money directly benefits the next generation of athletes," said a spokesperson from the North Carolina Lottery Commission, which oversees betting revenue allocation.

The funding comes at a critical time when many youth sports programs across the country face financial challenges. Rising costs for equipment, travel, and facilities have made it increasingly difficult for low-income families to keep their children involved in organized sports. By reinvesting in local leagues and school athletics, North Carolina hopes to remove financial barriers and keep participation rates strong.

Early recipients of the grants include community soccer clubs, basketball leagues, and high school athletic departments looking to renovate fields and courts. Some organizations are also using the funds to introduce new sports programs in areas where options have historically been limited.

With sports betting continuing to grow in popularity, North Carolina’s model of reinvesting gambling revenue into youth sports could serve as a blueprint for other states. If successful, the program may help ensure that the benefits of legalized betting extend beyond the industry itself and into the communities that need it most.