On Monday, mobile and online sports betting launched across North Carolina, marking a significant development nine months after legislation authorized such activity statewide. Various licensed gambling operators, including prominent names in the legalized gambling industry, initiated betting services, with some hosting special events to showcase the new options in the state. With this rollout, North Carolina becomes the 30th state, along with the District of Columbia, to introduce mobile sports betting, as reported by the American Gaming Association.
Customers residing within the state’s boundaries now have the opportunity to place bets on professional, college, or Olympic-style sports.
Speaking at a public event held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, DraftKings Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Elbaum expressed enthusiasm for entering the North Carolina market, stating, “North Carolina is a state that we’ve eagerly anticipated entering for a couple of years now.” The ceremonial first online bet was placed by retired Carolina Panthers player Greg Olsen. Elbaum highlighted the state’s sports culture, particularly its affinity for college sports and NASCAR, making it a significant market for DraftKings.
Following the June 2023 law that authorized the games and directed the North Carolina State Lottery Commission to license operators and establish rules, the commission announced several weeks ago that wagering on mobile devices and computers would commence at noon on Monday. The timing of the launch, coinciding with the eve of the popular Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball tournament, was not lost on sports enthusiasts.
Governor Roy Cooper, who signed the sports betting bill approved by the General Assembly into law and is a devoted fan of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, revealed that he placed a bet on the team to win the Stanley Cup later this year. He stated that any potential monetary winnings would be donated to the team’s charitable foundation.
In a video released prior to the noon start, Governor Cooper emphasized the positive impact of sports betting legalization on North Carolina’s economy, expressing his belief that it would facilitate the continued growth of the state’s thriving sports industry. The video was pre-filmed, showing him walking onto the ice at the team’s PNC Arena in Raleigh.
On February 29, the commission announced the initial eight licensees. The following day, these operators began facilitating account setups for players aged 21 and over and accepting monetary deposits. This led to a flurry of television and social media advertisements from gambling operators, aiming to attract customers with various financial incentives.
In addition to DraftKings, the initial sports wagering licenses were granted to BETMGM, Underdog Sports Wagering, companies operating as FanDuel Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, bet365, ESPN BET, and an entity associated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which, alongside Caesars Sportsbook, already operates in-person sports gambling at the tribe’s two western North Carolina casinos and now offers mobile wagering. All eight operators were operational as of Monday, according to the lottery commission.
A late amendment to the 2023 law stipulated that most interactive wagering company applicants must form agreements with an in-state professional team, or certain professional golf or automobile racing venues or governing bodies, to secure a license. For example, DraftKings has partnered with NASCAR, while Fanatics Sportsbook is affiliated with the Hurricanes.
The law also permits in-person betting at future sportsbooks, which must be located at or near specific large sports or automobile racing venues. The commission has indicated that these will open on a case-by-case basis as operators fulfill requirements. Additionally, provisions in the law for the commission to regulate statewide betting on horse races and establish rules for live horse racing will be implemented in due course.
Under the legislation, sports wagering will be taxed at a rate equivalent to 18% of gross betting revenue minus distributed winnings. A legislative analysis estimates that revenues could surpass $100 million annually within five years.
A portion of the government’s share of revenue will be allocated to athletic departments at 13 University of North Carolina system schools, amateur and youth sporting events, and programs for gambling addiction education and treatment. Some licensees have emphasized the “responsible gaming” features integrated into their betting apps.
