North Carolina's Legal Mobile Sports Betting Starts March 11 for March Madness

Starting on Monday, March 11, players can place mobile bets in North Carolina, per the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.  

Just remember, any mobile betting before this date is still not allowed.

There's more good news! From March 1, if you're living in North Carolina and are 21 or older, you can begin pre-registering for accounts with authorized sports betting sites. And yes, you can start putting money into your accounts from then on. 

“With this proposed authorization, we are telling the public that we are ready for sports wagering. Now, it is up to our operator applicants to show us that they can meet the requirements set by our General Assembly and by this commission,” Sterl Carpenter, Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance and Sports Wagering, said.

March Madness Played a Crucial Role in the Timeline of the Go Date

The launch of online North Carolina sportsbooks is happening just in time for the basketball season, which is fantastic for all the hoops fans. It's a bit late for this year's Super Bowl, but the timing is perfect for March Madness. The NCAA men's college basketball tournament is kicking off with Selection Sunday on March 17, 2024, and the exciting games will follow shortly after.

Governor Roy Cooper was really hoping to get this up and running before March Madness, and his wish came true. Remember, he was the one who signed the online sports betting bill into law last year.

Until now, legal sports betting has only been available at three tribal-owned NC casinos, but mobile betting wasn't an option. The regulators have been working for months to bring this to life. They even set a proposed launch date in their meeting on Wednesday. 

It's all happening, folks!

Approval is Still Pending for Operators

Seven operators have put their hats in the ring to prepare for the big launch day of sports betting in North Carolina. They got their applications in by the recommended deadline of December 27. These eager beavers include bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog Sports. But hold your horses. They still need the official thumbs-up.

Caesars is also joining the party. They're already running two casinos and sportsbooks in western North Carolina for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and now they've applied for a service provider license. And there's more – both the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation, who run a tribal casino in the state, are in the race for operator licenses.

According to the lottery’s plan, online sports betting apps in North Carolina will be the first to greet the daylight. But before that, operators need a license and a certificate of compliance from the commission, showing they can stick to the state’s rules and regulations.

For those who love the in-person experience, retail locations at arenas, stadiums, racetracks, and golf courses will open later on. And let's not forget, the tribal casinos are already hosting their own brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

Expected Promotions and Bonus Codes for North Carolina Sportsbooks

Thanks to Governor Cooper signing HB 347, online sports betting is now legal in the state. Excitingly, some operators have already teamed up with local partners to start their operations in NC. Get ready, because on March 11, online sports betting will officially kick off in North Carolina.

With HB 347 allowing for as many as 12 online sportsbook licenses, there's a fantastic variety for those interested in sports betting in North Carolina. This means plenty of amazing promotional deals and bonuses for players to enjoy. It's a great time to be a sports betting fan in NC!

The lottery commission also aims to give more physical sportsbook locations the green light. These brick-and-mortar betting locations will open their doors after the mobile launch takes off.

Stay tuned to Gambling.com for all the freshest updates and insider info on North Carolina sportsbook promos. We'll also keep you posted on which apps are getting the official nod of approval.