Report: Hurricanes owner says team is working on in-arena sports gambling – CBS17.com

FILE In this , Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 file photo, Tom Dundon, majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes talks to the media about his $250 million investment in the Alliance of American Football league before the start of an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. Tom Dundon is now sole owner of the Carolina Hurricanes after buying out the remaining shares of the NHL club held by Peter Karmanos and others. The leagues board of governors unanimously approved the transaction Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) It seems like its a matter of when, not if the Carolina Hurricanes roll out an in-arena sportsbook.

In a column in The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun wrote about a conversation he had with Hurricanes general manager Tom Dundon ahead of the 2021-22 season. One of the topics touched on was growing the organizations business through sports betting, much like the Washington Capitals recently have.

Yeah, were working on it, Dundon told LeBrun.

Dundon went on to explain he thinks in-arena betting options will be something all 32 teams eventually implement.

I think everyone is going to have it eventually. Its just about when, for the most part, because it seems to be legal in many states and on its way in others, Dundon told LeBrun. Were hopeful its something (the state wants) to do.

North Carolina lawmakers must first legalize sports gambling. A bill passed the state Senate on Aug. 19, but has not yet been voted on in the state House.

Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir), one of the lead sponsors of the bill, has been showing other members how easy it is currently for anyone to go online and place bets. Nearby states, including Virginia and Tennessee, already have legalized sports betting.

He said it makes sense for North Carolina to regulate it and generate tax revenue. Hed like to see that money targeted to low-income school districts, though he said current legislators cant tie the hands of future legislators when it comes to earmarking that money.

John Rustin, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council, has been an outspoken opponent of the bill, urging the legislature not to expand legalized gambling.

All of those social issues, those problems that come along with gambling are what were truly concerned about, he said. Obviously because its a gambling bill, there is massive financial interest behind this legislation.

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Report: Hurricanes owner says team is working on in-arena sports gambling - CBS17.com