In January, North Carolina announced the commencement of online sports betting, set to begin at noon EST, with plans for retail betting to open subsequently.
This development followed Governor Roy Cooper’s signing of House Bill 347 in June 2023, which not only legalized betting but also outlined specific implementation guidelines, including the publication of regulations before January 8, 2024, and the acceptance of wagers by operators before June 14, 2024.
These milestones were achieved ahead of schedule last month, positioning operators to start accepting bets well before the June deadline.
Additionally, a January 26 deadline was set for operators to submit their internal controls in preparation for the market’s opening.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has issued eight interactive sports wagering licenses to notable operators this month.
The licensees include major names such as FanDuel, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Fanatics, Bet365, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, and Underdog, all of which confirmed their launch.
Notably, DraftKings announced its entry, marking its presence in 27 states across the US and in Ontario, Canada.
Matt Kalish, DraftKings North America president, highlighted the significance of North Carolina’s rich basketball heritage and the partnership with Nascar in enhancing the sports betting experience in the state.
To operate in North Carolina, betting companies are required to partner with a local sports team, league, or venue.
This has led to several strategic partnerships: DraftKings with Nascar, BetMGM with the Charlotte Motor Speedway, ESPN Bet with the PGA Tour and its Wells Fargo Championship, Fanatics Betting and Gaming with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, and Bet365 with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. Underdog also extended its reach through a partnership with McConnell Golf.
Moreover, the state has approved sports wagering supplier licenses for GeoComply, SBTech, and Sportradar.
Sportradar recently secured a five-year license to supply sports data to North Carolina’s operators, expanding its license portfolio to 56 in North America.
This regulatory groundwork and strategic partnerships set the stage for a vibrant sports betting ecosystem in North Carolina, poised to enhance fan engagement and sports viewership.