North Carolina Sports Betting Not Before Super Bowl Commissioner Says

On Tuesday at the commission meeting, Ripley Rand, the chairman of the North Carolina Lottery Commission, revealed that sports betting fans in the state won’t have the option to legally bet on the 2024 Super Bowl using their mobile devices. This news comes as a disappointment to many who were looking forward to the convenience and accessibility of mobile betting. Rand expressed hope that a launch date for mobile betting would be announced soon, but no specific timeline was provided.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission had previously announced that sports betting would not go live on January 8th, the first date allowed by North Carolina’s sports betting law. The commission has until June 14th to launch sports betting in the state. With the Super Bowl scheduled for February 11th, it is clear that sports bettors will miss out on the opportunity to place their wagers on this highly anticipated event.

Despite the delay in mobile betting, progress is being made towards the launch of sports betting in North Carolina. At the recent commission meeting, the approval of application forms for operators was announced. These forms are expected to be available to operators later this week, with a submission deadline of December 27th. Once the applications are received, the commission has 60 days to perform background checks and other necessary work. This timeframe can be extended by an additional 30 days if needed.

Sterl Carpenter, the individual in charge of sports betting for the North Carolina Lottery, emphasized the importance of operators submitting their applications by the December 27th deadline. Doing so would allow their applications to start the 60-day window for licensure approval, putting them in the running for the eventual go-live date.

In order to apply for a sports betting license in North Carolina, operators must obtain a “written designation agreement” from certain sports teams, leagues, or facilities. This requirement was added to state law in the budget, several months after the initial gambling law was passed. It ensures that operators have established partnerships and agreements with relevant entities in the sports industry.

The Charlotte Hornets have already announced their partnership with Bet365 as their official mobile sports betting partner. This is an exciting development for sports betting enthusiasts in the state, as it sets the stage for more franchises, leagues, or venues to announce their partnerships with operators in the near future.

While mobile betting on the 2024 Super Bowl may be off the table for North Carolina, it’s important to note that sports betting is already legal at three tribal casinos in the western part of the state. This provides some options for those looking to place their bets on various sporting events. However, the availability and convenience of mobile betting are highly sought after, and the delay in its launch is a setback for those eagerly awaiting its arrival.