North Carolina is set to become the latest state to offer online sports betting to its residents, as the North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC) has approved the launch date of March 11. The decision comes after months of delays and deliberations, as regulators wanted to ensure a safe and fair industry for both operators and bettors.
Online Sports Betting to Go Live Before March Madness
The launch date of March 11 is a strategic move by the NCLC, as it coincides with the start of the college basketball conference tournaments and the NCAA March Madness. North Carolina is a state with a rich basketball tradition, and many fans will be eager to place bets on their favorite teams and players.
The NCLC Chair Ripley Rand said that the launch date meets a goal set by Governor Roy Cooper, who had hoped to have the industry live ahead of March Madness. Rand also said that the online sports betting will be legal, secure, and fair, and that the rules are designed to encourage responsible gaming.
Seven Operators to Offer Online Sports Betting in North Carolina
Seven online operators have applied for licenses in the state and partnered with local pro sports organizations. These are:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- ESPN BET
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- bet365
These operators are some of the most popular and reputable in the US market, and they will offer a range of betting options, promotions, and features to North Carolina bettors. One of the new entrants in the market is Underdog Sports, a fantasy football and DFS platform that will launch its first sportsbook product in North Carolina.
In addition to the seven operators, two tribal entities have also applied for operating licenses. These are the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation. They will likely partner with third-party operators, and they are not required to partner with a North Carolina pro sports organization.
North Carolina Sports Betting History and Future
North Carolina legalized sports betting in June 2023, with the goal of launching in January 2024. However, the launch was delayed due to the complexity of creating the rules and regulations for the new industry. The NCLC wanted to avoid some of the mistakes that other states have made, and to ensure a smooth and successful launch.
North Carolina already has retail sports betting at two tribal casinos, but online sports betting will open up the market to a much larger audience. The state is expected to generate significant revenue from the online sports betting, which will be used for education and other public purposes.
North Carolina is joining the growing list of states that have legalized online sports betting, following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that struck down the federal ban on sports betting. As of January 2024, 32 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of sports betting, and more are expected to follow suit in the near future.
