At least seven sportsbooks could be at the online NC sports betting starting line.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission announced Friday the seven sportsbooks that applied for online NC sports betting licenses by the initial December 27 deadline for operators wishing to start when the state goes live. The release said the commission will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis.
Regulators ruled out a start in time for Super Bowl betting. Industry sources, as well as Gov. Roy Cooper, believe NC sportsbooks will be live for March Madness betting.
Sportsbooks ready in North Carolina
There are at least 11 slots open for online sportsbooks in North Carolina. The seven sportsbooks that applied by the December 27 deadline are:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- DraftKings
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Underdog Sports
Perhaps the most surprising early applicant is Underdog, which has made its sports betting aspirations known and even secured a license in Ohio. Still, the operator has yet to debut a sportsbook. Also of note is its controversial DFS pick’em game, which North Carolina regulators will take a closer look at once the market is live after initially banning the product earlier this year.
Caesars Sportsbook was among the applicants for a service provider license as American Wagering Inc. They are allowed North Carolina online access through its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates two in-person Caesars Sportsbooks in the state.
When will online NC sports betting start?
The NC Lottery’s Sports Advisory Committee meets January 4. The full commission meets January 11.
At previous meetings, regulators suggested a go-live date might be announced once operators submitted their applications this week.
Sports betting law takes effect January 8, and sportsbooks must be live by June 15, 2024.
NC sports betting partnerships still emerging
While sports betting legislation was signed in June, the legislature altered the law in September to require sportsbook operators to enter written agreements with professional sports organizations in the state.
So far, four of the deals have been announced:
- Bet365 with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
- ESPNBet with the Quail Hollow Club
- Fanatics with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
- FanDuel with the PGA Tour
What organizations remain in North Carolina?
There are seven additional qualifying professional sports organizations in North Carolina.
Those organizations are:
- Carolina Panthers of the NFL
- Charlotte FC of MLS
- Charlotte Motor Speedway
- NASCAR
- NC Courage of the NWSL
- North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Sedgefield Country Club
Sports Business Journal previously reported DraftKings has partnered with NASCAR, while BetMGM joined up with one of the tracks. Those sportsbooks have not confirmed their deals.