Looks like North Carolina has smooth sailing as it prepares to debut sports betting in the state March 11. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC)—authorized to award licenses under the 2023 law—issued seven digital sports betting operator licenses. Another two expect to be named.
The seven companies receiving licenses, including those doing business as:
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- DraftKings
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- bet365 Sportsbook & Racebook)
- ESPN BET
- Underdog Sports Wagering
“Issuing the first interactive sports wagering operator licenses today represents a major milestone in establishing legal sports betting in North Carolina,” Ripley Rand, chair of the NCSLC, said in a statement. “North Carolinians can begin signing up for accounts on their mobile devices with the confidence they will soon be able to make wagers on their favorite sporting events securely and responsibly.”
Members of the public can set up an account in accordance with the commission’s Sports Wagering Authorization. Bettors must be at least 21 and have an account signed up by noon March 11 to play right away. While in-person play is on its way, the initial wagers will be on digital devices.
The commission also dispensed three full supplier licenses, 18 provisional supplier licenses, and three sports wagering service provider licenses, according to the Associated Press.
Launch day is one day before the start of the Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball tournament, the conference beloved by North Carolina sports enthusiasts. Customers can bet on professional, college or later on this summer, Olympic-style sports.
License applications for the Eastern Band of Cherokees and the Catawba Indian Nation, which have retail sportsbooks in three casinos in Western North Carolina, were also turned in.
Successful wagering company applicants had to enter an agreement with an in-state professional team, or certain pro golf or automobile racing venues or governing bodies. These will serve as sights for in-person sportsbooks. Some of those agreements have been made public.
The state will tax sports wagering and could generate over $100 million in revenues annually within five years, according to a legislative branch analysis.
