The NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes are partnering with Fanatics Sportsbook to give the operator access to the North Carolina sports betting market. Sports Business Journal first reported the news, and a Fanatics spokesperson confirmed the partnership agreement to Sports Handle.

The state’s law requires operators to partner with professional sports franchises or venues to gain access to its mobile betting market. North Carolina betting apps are expected to go live in the first half of 2024, although an official start date has yet to be announced by the state lottery. 

Fanatics Sportsbook, which is currently operational in nine states, will join North Carolina’s mobile betting market once it begins. 

Fanatics Sportsbook becomes the fourth operator that is lined up to provide a sports betting site in North Carolina, pending licensing approval.

The first operator to announce a deal was bet365 North Carolina, which will partner with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. 

ESPN BET, which is about a month old, announced earlier in December that it will partner with the Quail Hollow Club for North Carolina access. The Quail Hollow Club is home to an annual PGA Tour event, and it will host a men’s major championship in 2025. 

FanDuel North Carolina will use an existing partnership with the PGA Tour to secure market access in the state. 

Other major sports betting operators such as BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings are also expected to enter North Carolina’s mobile betting market. Those operators, however, have yet to announce partnerships to secure market access. 

Those partnerships will likely be announced soon, as the North Carolina lottery has requested that operators submit applications for mobile licenses by Dec. 27.