North Carolina Mobile Sports Betting Launches On 11 March

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has announced that starting on Monday, March 11, players will have the opportunity to place mobile bets on various sporting events.

North Carolina residents who is 21 years of age or older can begin pre-registering for your online sports betting accounts with authorized operators as early as March 1st. This means that players can get a head start on setting up your account and even start depositing money into it.

“With this proposed authorization, we are telling the public that we are ready for sports wagering. Now, it is up to our operator applicants to show us that they can meet the requirements set by our General Assembly and by this commission.” – Sterl Carpenter, Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance and Sports Wagering.

The launch of mobile sports betting in North Carolina couldn’t have come at a better time for basketball fans. While it may be too late for this year’s Super Bowl, it is perfectly timed for March Madness. The NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, known for its intense matchups and bracket-busting surprises, begins with Selection Sunday on March 17, 2024. Fans will now have the opportunity to add an extra level of excitement to the tournament by placing bets on their favorite teams.

The Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, had expressed his desire to have online sports betting up and running before March Madness, and his wish has been granted. It was Governor Cooper who signed the online sports betting bill into law last year, paving the way for this momentous occasion.

Seven operators, including bet365, BetMGM North Carolina, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog Sports, have applied for licenses to operate online sports betting platforms in North Carolina. However, it is important to note that their applications are still pending approval. The operators must demonstrate compliance with the state’s rules and regulations and obtain licenses and certificates of compliance from the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.

Caesars, a well-known name in the gambling industry, has also decided to join the North Carolina sports betting market. They have already been running two casinos and sportsbooks in western North Carolina for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Now, they have applied for a service provider license, further expanding their presence in the state. Additionally, both the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation, who operate a tribal casino in North Carolina, are vying for operator licenses.

According to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission’s plan, online sports betting apps will be the first to hit the market. However, before these apps can launch, operators must obtain licenses and certificates of compliance from the commission. This ensures that they meet all the necessary requirements and regulations set by the state.

For those who prefer the in-person experience, retail sportsbooks at arenas, stadiums, racetracks, and golf courses will open their doors at a later stage. It’s worth noting that tribal casinos in North Carolina already have their own brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.