The wait is almost over for North Carolinians itching for the chance to join the mobile sports betting community.
Registration for sports betting apps will open on March 1, then online sportsbooks will finally make their debut on March 11, 2024.
Sports Betting Odyssey
The launch will end a year-long wait for betting apps in The Tar Heel State. That’s because in-person sports betting has been allowed in North Carolina since 2021, but it wasn’t until March 2023 that the state legalized the use of online sportsbooks.
North Carolina Lottery Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance and Sports Betting, Sterl Carpenter, says the launch process is running smoothly. He says commission staff are conducting multiple meetings with applicants and licensees to ensure compliance, and they will continue to happen in the following months and weeks after the launch occurs.
North Carolina Sports Betting Apps: A Breakdown
There’s a lot to wrap your head around as the Tar Heel State gets set to launch sports betting apps, but some of the key highlights include:
Licensing:
- Up to 12 online sports betting licenses are available.
- Up to eight additional retail sportsbook locations are permitted.
Legal Requirements:
- Minimum age for sports betting: 21+.
- Cost of online sports betting licenses: $1 million for five years.
- Sports betting tax rate: 18%.
Launch Date:
- Scheduled to go live on Monday, March 11, 2024, at noon ET.
Additional Provisions:
- Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing included.
Allocation of Funds:
- $2 million annually for gambling addiction and treatment services.
- $1 million annually to the Division of Parks and Recreation for youth sports equipment.
- $300,000 annually to athletic departments at seven state universities.
- $1 million annually to the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.
Marketing Restrictions:
- Prohibition on advertising, marketing, or branding in media outlets, including social media.
- Restrictions on naming rights for sports facilities or racetracks.
There’s also a tribal enterprise agreement, which allows the state’s federally recognized tribes to conduct online sports betting off tribal land.
Self-Exclusion Program Also Established
The North Carolina Lottery Commission members have officially endorsed a new voluntary gambling self-exclusion program tailored for residents.
As outlined on the commission’s website, North Carolinians now have the option to activate a self-exclusion feature, which effectively blocks all account-based sports wagering and advance deposit wagering on horse races provided by licensed operators in the state. Such initiatives are recognized as fundamental pillars of responsible gambling practices.
Operators Also Ready to Roll
There are currently eight applicants collaborating with lottery staff to secure licensing by the March deadline. These operators include:
- Bet365 (partnered with the Charlotte Hornets)
- BetMGM (partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway)
- Caesars (partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
- DraftKings (partnered with NASCAR), ESPN Bet (partnered with Quail Hollow Club)
- Fanatics (partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes)
- FanDuel (partnered with the PGA Tour)
- Underdog (partnered with Sedgefield Country Club)
Before an operator can be licensed, they must obtain their certificates of compliance, which are expected to be issued before March 1, the first day they can start accepting new player registrations.
The Catawba Two Kings Casino has also applied for a license but plans for a later rollout of online sports betting. Additionally, there are four sports organization partners available for an online sportsbook to gain access to North Carolina, including the Carolina Panthers.
The Wait is Almost Over in North Carolina
The countdown is now on for the launch of sports betting apps in North Carolina. It’s expected to bring an entirely new wagering experience to the Tar Heel State.
Bettors will be able to hit the ground running, as the launch date lands one day before the start of the ACC basketball tournament, and a week before March Madness begins.
Timing is everything.
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