Seven mobile sports betting operators applied for North Carolina sports betting licenses by the state lottery’s recommended Dec. 27 application submission date. The lottery will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis moving forward, but the seven operators in the initial batch are expected to have earliest access to the state’s market to offer sports betting apps. 

The seven operators to apply for mobile licenses in North Carolina are:

Caesars Sportsbook, a nationwide sports betting brand, is not among from the first batch of mobile sports betting applicants, but there’s a reason for the absence. Due to existing relationships with tribal casinos in North Carolina, Caesars applied as a service provider rather than an operator.

Tribal casinos, which currently operate retail sportsbooks in the state, are also allowed to operate betting apps. It’s likely that Caesars Sportsbook’s mobile app will go live through a tribal partnership, although it hasn’t yet been officially announced.

State lottery officials have yet to share an official launch date for legal North Carolina sports betting apps, but there’s some optimism among stakeholders that the go-live date will come before March Madness begins on March 19. 

The lottery’s staff is in the process of compiling and organizing the application information from operators, service providers, and suppliers. The staff will then assess applications and determine if the applicants are suitable for approval.

Of the seven operators applying for licensure, four have announced partnerships with professional sports teams or venues for access to the state’s betting market. 

ESPN BET is partnering with Quail Hollow Club, a PGA Tour venue. FanDuel is leaning on an existing partnership with the PGA Tour for mobile access in the Tar Heel State. 

Fanatics and bet365 also have announced partnerships to secure mobile market access, with Fanatics Sportsbook teaming up with the Carolina Hurricanes and bet365 working with the Charlotte Hornets. BetMGM, DraftKings, and Underdog have yet to announce official partnerships for market access. 

Underdog, which currently operates as Underdog Fantasy across many states including North Carolina, has yet to launch its sportsbook in any state. The company has teased a sports betting product in recent years, however, and it could arrive in North Carolina along with others early in 2024.