Native American Casinos with Class III gaming in place may soon be allowed to permit sports betting in North Carolina after Bill 154 was passed this week in the State’s Senate.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will be permitted to offer wagering on college and professional sporting events and horse racing, pending the approval of Governor Roy Cooper who will have the final say as to whether it becomes enshrined in law.

Currently, it will only applies to the Eastern Band which has the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel.

At just over one page in length, the bill is understandably short on detail. For example there is no mention of mobile wagering, however the tribes are thought to favor terrestrial bets made in person, in-venue.

What has been clarified, however, is that all monies paid by the tribe under the Compact be paid to the Indian Gaming Education Revenue Fund which has been established by law.

The Chief Executive officer of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Richard Sneed, played down the potential for increased revenue from sports betting, saying that it would not be a big money generator for casinos. He added, however, that it would bring a slight increase in receipts and encourage new clientele.