AN ACT to study the status of sports betting and whether or not to establish a gaming commission.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall study all of the following matters related to gaming in North Carolina, including the feasibility of authorizing and regulating sports betting, on‑site betting at horse steeplechases, and the creation of a commission to provide oversight of gaming in this State. As part of its study, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall address all of the following:
(1)	Examine gaming activities currently prohibited, gaming activities currently authorized by the State, and the feasibility of the General Assembly authorizing new gaming activities.
(2)	Examine sports betting, including the following:
a.	Any authorizations and restrictions on such activities in this State.
b.	Any effects of authorizing sports betting on existing tribal games in this State and on lottery activities, if any.
c.	The positive and negative impacts of authorizing sports betting in this State.
d.	Potential revenues and expenditures for the State, if sports betting is authorized.
e.	Appropriate regulation and oversight of sports betting, including potential licensing of operators.
(3)	Examine on‑site betting at horse steeplechases, including the following:
a.	Any authorizations and restrictions on such activities in this State.
b.	The potential economic development impacts of revitalizing horse steeplechases in this State.
c.	Potential revenues and expenditures for the State, if on‑site betting at horse steeplechases is authorized.
d.	Appropriate regulation and oversight of on‑site betting at horse steeplechases, including potential licensing requirements.
(4)	Examine creating a gaming division or commission to provide administration, oversight, and enforcement of gaming regulations in this State, including a review of Senate Bill 574, Third Edition, 2019 Regular Session.
(5)	Examine whether any additional resources may be needed for assistance to those with gambling addictions.
(6)	Any other matters the Commission deems relevant.
SECTION 2.  The North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall contract with an independent third party to conduct research for the study required by this act, using funds appropriated to the Commission. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, together with any proposed legislation, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the State Lottery on or before April 15, 2020.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 30th day of August, 2019.

	s/	 Jim Burgin
	 Presiding Officer of the Senate

	s/	 David R. Lewis
	 Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Roy Cooper
	 Governor

Approved 5:01 p.m. this 4th day of September, 2019