The writing for Underdog and its North Carolina sportsbook was on the wall in late November, but now it is official.
Underdog is shutting down its sports betting operation in North Carolina next Wednesday, according to its website. The move follows Underdog’s decision not to launch legal sports betting in Missouri on Dec. 1, deciding instead to offer sports predictions in the state a few days before the market opened.
Underdog will launch sports predictions to replace the sportsbook, the company confirmed. It currently offers predictions in 25 states.
North Carolina is the only state where Underdog’s sportsbook is available. The company received a sports betting license in Ohio but never launched.
Underdog keeping NC customers happy
The terms of Underdog’s shutdown in North Carolina suggests it wants to make sure its sportsbook customers stick around with the platform.
Any bets that are outstanding as of Dec. 18 will “be paid out in the maximum amount,” Underdog’s FAQ on the shutdown states. That includes parlays with legs that will pay out after Dec. 18.
Customers do not have to withdraw their Underdog funds since the account will still be accessible as a daily fantasy sports account after the sportsbook shuts down.
Any bonus funds on the customer’s account as of Dec. 18 will be converted to withdrawable funds.
Switch to predictions happened quickly
Underdog announced it launched sports predictions in 16 states with Crypto.com in early September, but never let on that it would be scrapping its sports betting plans.
Less than a month later, the company announced it would launch sports betting in Missouri through a market access deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Underdog also continued with the temporary licensing process in Missouri and was awarded a temporary license in late October, cleareing it for a Dec. 1 launch.
