North Carolina Launches Legal Online Sports Betting

North Carolina is on the brink of a new era in sports entertainment as the State Lottery Commission grants full online sports betting licenses to eight operators, setting the stage for a legal sports betting launch on March 11. This development comes after Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 into law, making North Carolina the 30th US state to offer online sports betting.

The licensed operators, including industry giants like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet, are poised to open the virtual doors to bettors, with registration and deposit processes beginning as of noon today (Eastern Standard Time).

This milestone is part of a broader strategy to regulate and secure the sports betting market in North Carolina, with the state imposing an 18% tax on each license holder’s gross gaming revenue.

Notably, operators seeking licensure were required to forge partnerships with local sports teams, leagues, or venues, leading to strategic alliances such as DraftKings with NASCAR and BetMGM with the Charlotte Motor Speedway. These collaborations underscore the symbiotic relationship between the burgeoning sports betting sector and North Carolina’s rich sporting culture.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Ripley Rand, has also issued 18 provisional supplier licenses to entities like GeoComply and Sportradar, further solidifying the infrastructure needed for a robust sports betting ecosystem.

Chairman Ripley Rand

In addition, the commission has introduced a voluntary self-exclusion program as part of the NC Problem Gambling Programme, emphasizing the state’s commitment to responsible gambling.

As the Tar Heel State counts down to the official launch, anticipation builds among sports fans and bettors alike. The move is expected to generate significant revenue and inject new energy into the state’s sports scene, just in time for March Madness and the conference tournament.

However, the expansion of retail sports betting remains a topic of discussion, with no immediate plans to broaden the current setup, which includes three retail sportsbooks operated by the Catawba Two Kings Casino and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

As North Carolina embarks on this exciting venture, the framework laid out by the Lottery Commission promises a regulated, secure, and engaging betting environment for sports enthusiasts across the state.