With an online NC sports betting launch date still unknown, Underdog unveiled its partnership for the Tar Heel State.
Underdog announced Tuesday it partnered with McConnell Golf and Sedgefield Country Club for online NC sports betting market access. Underdog Sportsbook is the last of seven initial applicants in North Carolina to reveal its partner.
According to the release, North Carolina will be Underdog’s first sports betting state. While industry sources suggest a start date will remain elusive at a North Carolina State Lottery meeting this week, they expect a launch in time for March Madness betting.
Underdog NC sports betting deal
Sedgefield Country Club hosts the PGA Tour‘s Wyndham Championship, and Underdog is now its “official sports betting partner.” McConnell Golf COO Christian Anastasiadis said the partnership brings together two entities focused on fans.
Underdog was a surprising applicant in the first wave of operators. While the company has made its sports betting aspirations known, it has yet to launch it in any state, including Ohio, where it secured a license.
“We’ve spent the last four years building our own technology so we can give sports fans in America new and different ways to enjoy the sports they love,” Underdog founder and co-CEO Jeremy Levine said in a release. “We’re excited to be able to offer that to North Carolinians and look forward to evolving the experience with them.”
NC regulators also initially banned Underdog’s controversial daily fantasy sports pick’em game before rolling back the rule to take a closer look at the product once sports betting launches. Underdog operates DFS products in 33 states.
NC Lottery meeting Wednesday
The NC Lottery Sports Wagering Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, and the agenda includes a “sports wagering authorization action item.”
However, industry sources suggest the meeting will likely be “to keep a steady flow of info running between applicants and the commission.”
Earlier this month, regulators laid out the Certificate of Compliance process, which operators will need to go live.
NC sports betting partnerships
Seven sports betting operators applied for commercial licenses before a December 27 deadline to ensure a launch at the starting line. Operators must partner with a professional sports entity in the state and 11 organizations qualify as partners for licenses.
Two North Carolina tribes also applied for licenses. The tribes operate three in-person sportsbooks in the state.
The online applicants and their partners are:
- Bet365 and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
- BetMGM and the Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Catawba Two Kings Casino
- DraftKings and NASCAR
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Caesars
- ESPN Bet and Quail Hollow Club
- Fanatics and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
- FanDuel and the PGA Tour
- Underdog and Sedgefield Country Club
Remaining partners available
Earlier this month, Regulators said there 18 operators requested applications for market access. The remaining partners for access include:
- MLS’s Charlotte FC
- NFL’s Carolina Panthers
- North Wilkesboro Speedway
- NWSL’s NC Courage
