Currently, there is no live horse racing in North Carolina. That situation, though, could be about to change. North Carolina appears to be moving closer to giving the go ahead to the sport. There’s a new horse racing bill (Senate Bill 629) currently being sponsored by Senators Paul Lowe, a Democrat and Jim Perry, a Republican. Should their bill be passed into law, it would require the setting up a Racing Commission to regulate the sport. The Racing Commission would become a division of the state Lottery Commission.
While there is some horse racing that takes place in North Carolina. It is completely illegal to place a bet on horse racing anywhere in the Tar Heel State.
Currently, North Carolina has harness racing in a few locations and an annual charity steeplechase near Charlotte. But because state law doesn’t allow horse betting, the professional thoroughbred racing industry is not in business in North Carolina.
Horse Racing History
The Pinehurst Harness Track is nestled in the heart of historic Pinehurst, North Carolina, and is the oldest continuously operating equine sports facility in the state. The 111-acre Harness Track has been a winter training center for Standardbred horses since 1915, including champions such as Gallo Blue Chip and SJ’s Photo.
Now a harness racing landmark and home to an annual matinee, the Harness Track was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
The history of horse racing in the state dates back to the 1730s. Both thoroughbred and standardbred racing was popular at state fairs and in the 1950s, steeplechase racing gained a foothold in the Tar Heel State. But the sport’s association with gambling caused it to fade from existence in North Carolina.
North Carolina Online Horse Betting FAQs
North Carolina’s law does not allow betting on horse racing, so it doesn’t matter how old you are.
Yes, but they are used only for training horses.
The minimum gambling age for visitors at North Carolina tribal gaming spaces is 21.