North Carolina Sports Betting Launch Date Confirmed for 11 March

A new chapter in North Carolina sports betting scene is about to begin! Exciting news came out on Wednesday: the North Carolina State Lottery Commission has officially announced that legal sports betting across the state will kick off on March 11. They reached this decision with a unanimous vote, and folks can start registering from March 1.

This timing is perfect, especially with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament starting on March 19. Licensed sports betting operators in North Carolina will be all set to accept bets just in time for this big event. Get ready for some fun and games! 🎉🏀

Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance and Sports Wagering Sterl Carpenter stated: “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” 

Starting March 1, players can sign up for their accounts, which is super exciting! But remember, operators need to have their certificate of compliance in hand by then to welcome new account holders on board. So, it's all systems go for a smooth start to this new adventure! 

March Madness has been a big focus in the North Carolina sports betting scene. 

For weeks, there's been buzz that NC would aim to get betting apps up and running in time for the big tournament. According to House Bill 347, the earliest they could've launched was January 8. But back in November, lottery officials let slip that the sports betting apps wouldn't be ready for the Super Bowl.

Lately, Gov. Roy Cooper has been talking about having everything ready for March Madness betting. It makes sense, given how huge men’s college basketball is in North Carolina. With teams like North Carolina and Duke being national favorites, the excitement is real! Plus, let's not forget, the NCAA Tournament is a huge deal for bettors all over the U.S. It's all about catching that basketball fever!

North Carolina Operators looking for final approval

It's almost time for the big launch, but first, the operators need the green light! Seven hopefuls got their applications in before the December 27 deadline, all eager to start taking bets in North Carolina on day one. The lineup waiting for approval includes bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings North Carolina, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog Sports.

Caesars is also in the mix, already running two casinos and sportsbooks in western North Carolina for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. They're looking for a service provider license. Plus, both the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Nation, who run a tribal casino, are aiming for operator licenses.

The plan from the lottery folks is to get the online sports betting apps up and running first. Operators don't just need a license; they also need a certificate of compliance from the commission, showing they can stick to North Carolina's rules and regulations.

Don't worry, physical sportsbooks at places like arenas, stadiums, racetracks, and golf courses will come later. The tribal casinos are already ahead of the game with their own sportsbooks.

NC Sports Betting Criteria to Take into Consideration

Starting at noon on March 11, anyone aged 21 and up can use their phones or electronic devices to bet on sports! Just make sure you've got an account with a licensed operator. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission says this is all thanks to the Sports Wagering Authorization.

For all the latest scoop on North Carolina sportsbook promos and updates on the apps getting the thumbs up, keep your eyes on Gambling.com.