There are two more applicants for online NC sports betting, but still no official launch date target.
At Wednesday’s North Carolina State Lottery Commission meeting, regulators learned both the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation applied for online sports betting licenses. The tribes are allowed to enter the online market in the North Carolina sports betting law but are included outside the 11 licenses connected to professional sports organizations.
Regulators did not provide a target date for launch, but did reconfirm initial applicants should submit requirements for Certificate of Compliance by January 26. Gov. Roy Cooper is hopeful for a debut in time for March Madness betting. A launch is required by mid-June.
Two new NC sports betting applicants
The two tribes that applied for licenses operate three in-person sportsbooks at casinos in the state. In-person sports betting at tribal casinos in North Carolina was legalized in 2019.
Because the two tribes applied after the recommended December 27 date, there is no guarantee they can go live on the first day of mobile sports betting, according to Sterl Carpenter, deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting at the NC Lottery.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates two Caesars Sportsbooks at its Harrah’s Casinos in the western part of the state. Caesars applied for a sportsbook service provider license rather than an operator license.
Catawba Two Kings Casino operates a sportsbook at its location approximately 30 minutes west of Charlotte.
NC sports betting requirements
The commission approved the Certificate of Compliance process laid out at the Sports Betting Advisory Committee last week. The certificate will be required for a sportsbook to launch.
Likewise, the commission approved the recommendations for two independent testing labs.
How North Carolina market shapes up
There are nine online applicants for the online NC sports betting market. Those operators and their known partners are:
- Catawba Two Kings Casino
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (Caesars)
- Bet365 (Charlotte Hornets)
- BetMGM (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
- DraftKings (NASCAR)
- ESPN Bet (Quail Hollow Club)
- Fanatics (Carolina Hurricanes)
- FanDuel (PGA Tour)
- Underdog
More sportsbooks to come?
The commission learned that 18 operators requested applications for market access. Remaining partners available for hopeful sportsbooks include:
- Carolina Panthers
- Charlotte FC
- NC Courage
- North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Sedgefield Country Club
