Online sports betting operators, as well as associated sports betting suppliers and providers, have been given the green light to submit their applications in North Carolina.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is set to review and evaluate all the applications in a significant step toward the official launch of the state’s legal sports betting market.
This development follows the enactment of House Bill 347 by Governor Roy Cooper in June, effectively legalizing sports wagering in the state.
While the excitement for legal sports betting in North Carolina grows, the exact launch date remains uncertain.
Commission chair Ripley Rand emphasized that the timeline depends on various factors, primarily the duration of the application review process.
The Commission is tasked with thoroughly assessing all applications, conducting background checks, and scrutinizing internal control details before determining the official launch date.
Each application has a 60-day review window, with operators having 10 days to address any issues that may arise during the evaluation.
In addition to the application review, the Commission must finalize the sports betting rules.
The state’s Sports Betting Committee initiated the rulemaking process in October and invited public comments on the proposed rules until November 1st.
House Bill 347 mandates that these rules must be finalized by January 8th of the following year, with the betting market launch deadline set for June 14th, precisely one year after the bill’s passage.
Commission chair Rand acknowledged the eagerness of the betting public to know when they can start placing bets in North Carolina.
However, he emphasized that several factors must align before a launch date can be set, and the approval of applications marks a significant milestone in the process.
Cari Boyce, chair of the Commission’s Sports Betting Committee, stressed the importance of establishing a “fair and responsible” sports betting market in North Carolina.
While the exact launch date remains uncertain, the goal is to ensure that the program is operational as soon as possible while maintaining a high level of regulatory integrity.
While the final sports betting rules are yet to be confirmed, the bill outlines key provisions, such as allowing bets on college sports, esports, and other sports matches authorized by the Commission.
However, it includes a ban on pick’em-style daily fantasy sports (DFS) games.
The tax rate for license holders has been set at 18% of gross gaming revenue, up from the initial 14%, with $2 million allocated annually to the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction treatment and education.
Operators must also establish written designation agreements with sports teams, leagues, or venues before launching sports betting operations.