Regulators shared the expected date for an important step toward online NC sports betting, but a launch timeline remains unknown.
The North Carolina State Lottery Sports Betting Advisory Committee was updated on the North Carolina sports betting application process during a meeting Thursday, including that seven operators are expected to submit proposed internal controls by the end of the month.
Approval of the internal controls is among the required steps before an operator can receive a Certificate of Compliance, which is necessary to go live, according to Sterl Carpenter, deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting at the NC Lottery.
Without specifying a date, Carpenter said there will be a tiered launch, with online sportsbooks launching before in-person facilities. Carpenter previously ruled out a sports betting debut in time for Super Bowl betting, but industry sources and Gov. Roy Cooper are hopeful for a rollout for March Madness betting. Under law, sports wagering must launch by June 14.
Steps for NC sports betting compliance
Carpenter shared all the steps sportsbooks need to complete prior to launch. Those steps include:
- Approval of internal controls
- Test account setup
- Certification from independent testing laboratories
- Show ability to provide daily reporting
- Responsible gaming items in place
- Geolocation testing
- Demonstrations of betting apps and sites
NC sports betting coming soon?
How quickly operators complete the tasks will help the NC Lottery set a launch date, Carpenter said.
While regulators ruled out a launch by the Feb. 11 Super Bowl, Cooper has publicly said March Madness is in play.
“The goal is to get it out there before March Madness,” Cooper said two weeks ago on Ovies + Giglio Show. “They’re working on it as fast as they can.”
Operators working toward requirements
Seven operators applied by the Dec. 27 date the NC Lottery recommended for sportsbooks hoping to be in the initial launch of sports betting. There were 17 operators that requested applications, according to Carpenter.
There are 11 possible licenses through partnerships with professional sports organizations, which is required by North Carolina law.
The seven operators are:
- BetMGM
- Bet365
- DraftKings
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Underdog
Caesars applied as a service provider and can access the state through its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The tribe already operates two in-person Caesars sportsbooks in the state under previously approved law.