Sports betting in the state grew significantly this August compared to last August, according to a new report from the North Carolina Lottery Commission.

ECU freshman Colin Burke started dabbling in sports betting as a senior in high school, but after losing more money than he gained, he says he knew it wasn’t worth it.

“It’s my money now, not my dad’s, so I’m not really trying to lose it on something that…could hit big, but reality is, most of the time it doesn’t,” Burke said.

A new sports betting revenue report shows others believe it still is worth it.

The new report from the state lottery commission shows sports bettors wagered more than $463 million in paid bets in August, nearly 30% more than the state bet on sports last August.

Though it’s a high number, some say it’s not a shock.

“It is actually not surprising because it follows suit with every other state that has legalized sports wagering,” Gambling Research and Policy Initiative Director Dr. Michelle L. Malkin said.

The report shows North Carolina has collected nearly $180 million in taxes from sports betting since its launch in March of last year. Dr. Malkin says it’s important to remember that, in gambling, the house always wins.

“Some people might be winning, a lot of times, but they’re not winning anything close to what the state is gonna be getting back in tax returns,” Malkin said.

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For those who do gamble, Malkin suggests doing it in low-risk ways, like keeping a ledger of wins and losses, setting time limits, and taking in the game.

“You should still enjoy the game, watch the game, don’t have your head in your phone the whole time hoping that your next bet is gonna win,” Malkin said.

Entain, the global sports betting and gaming company, has accelerated its product innovation strategy, rolling out a series of new features and enhancements across the UK, US, and Brazil.

These include faster withdrawals, next-generation BetBuilder tools, live same-game parlays, app performance upgrades, and localised features tailored to specific markets. These developments underscore Entain’s commitment to delivering the most engaging, seamless, and localised experiences for customers worldwide.

Key Highlights of Recent Innovations

• Enhanced Speed and Reliability: Site and app performance have been significantly improved, with 90% of withdrawals now processed within one minute, delivering a faster, more frictionless experience for customers.

• Next-Generation BetBuilder: Entain’s proprietary Football BetBuilder has driven an 80% increase in pre-match turnover and doubled its share of turnover to 12% in markets where it’s available. The launch of In-Play BetBuilder now allows customers to build bets during live games, with real-time tracking powered by Opta data.

• Live Same-Game Parlays in the US: Through BetMGM and in partnership with Angstrom, Entain has launched live same-game parlays for MLB and NFL, with NBA to follow. BetMGM’s latest app is its most responsive yet, with Live Player Props being released, real-time bet tracking on Apple devices, in-app research tools, and cash-out functionality during games.

• Quacca Bar for Ladbrokes and Coral: A game-changing feature enabling customers to build, edit, and place multiples and BetBuilder bets without leaving the app. Adoption has surged, with over 60% of bets now placed via the Quacca Bar.

• Localized Features in Brazil: Entain has introduced Fantasy Markets, AccaBoost, in-play football BetBuilder and Stats Pro, an integrated Stats hub giving customers deeper insights (including stats like xG) as well as live tracking to show how their bet is progressing.

• Gaming Expansion: Entain continues to release 150 new games monthly, with 20% as early-access or exclusive titles, while its rewards system has seen 40 million coins redeemed to date.

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Satty Bhens, Chief Technology Officer at Entain, commented: “Our Sportsbook product has never been stronger. We’ve closed the gap and are now pivoting from catching up to going beyond. From live single-game parlays in the US to in-play BetBuilders in Europe and Brazil, we’re upgrading player experiences while modernising our trading back office. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve as we continue to lead the industry in product innovation.”

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), the ASUS sub-brand creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software, and PlayVS, North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate esports platform, announced a new partnership to deliver premium gaming technology for the PlayVS Championship League (PCL) during the 2025-26 collegiate season. ROG will champion PCL’s marquee live events by equipping athletes with its flagship products including the ROG G700, ROG GM700, along with other ROG products. These desktops, along with future models, will be powering the mainstages of all the tournaments, including floor practice and mainstage setups. ROG gaming PCs will guarantee powerful, industry leading performance for PlayVS’ College league, the largest collegiate esports league in the nation supporting student-participants at over 900 college campuses.

Through this partnership, ROG aims to deepen its commitment to education by supporting esports as a powerful tool for student growth. The initiative helps students foster critical skills like teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking, while also opening doors to careers in STEM, game design and content creation. By delivering elite gaming setups and immersive experiences, ROG drives engagement and empowers the next generation of digital innovators.

“Republic of Gamers has always been about pushing the limits of gaming performance. Partnering with PlayVS and the PCL allows us to empower the next generation of esports athletes with the hardware and experiences they need to reach their full potential, build valuable skills, and prepare for future careers in the digital world,” said Benjamin Yeh, ASUS Computer International President.

Kicking off the partnership, ASUS devices will be powering the inaugural PlayVS College League (PCL) Fall Championships, taking place December 13–14, 2025 at The University of Akron. The first PCL Fall Championships will feature top collegiate esports teams from across the US and Canada over a two-day event. Players will compete on ROG-powered setups in front of a live audience, with matches broadcast on Twitch to thousands of fans worldwide.

“At PlayVS, we are committed to giving student-athletes the very best environment and experience to showcase their talent. Partnering with ASUS Republic of Gamers ensures our players have access to the most advanced gaming technology available, creating unforgettable live experiences for competitors and fans alike,” said Jon Chapman, CEO at PlayVS.

With this collaboration, PCL Championships will not only showcase elite collegiate competition but also highlight the role of the newest technology shaping the future of esports.