The onset of 2024 brings with it plenty of questions pertaining to North Carolina online sports betting. The NC online sports betting industry must open its virtual doors by June 14, 2024, the one-year anniversary of when Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law.
However, not many of those questions were answered at the year’s first meeting of the North Carolina Sports Betting Committee. In fact, more questions popped up.
No launch date yet for NC online sports betting
The most important question is when North Carolinians will be able to place bets through online sports betting apps. It’s one that’s been asked since the bill was signed last summer.
No answer came Thursday. Members of the committee said more information could come at the year’s first meeting of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. That’s scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10.
We know the industry will not launch before Super Bowl LVIII next month. The next major event for sports bettors is the NCAA basketball tournament, which tips off in mid-March. Gov. Cooper has said a launch by that time is a goal, but has also stopped short of promising or guaranteeing such a start date.
Issues with North Carolina online sports betting license applicants
Sterl Carpenter, the state’s deputy director of sports betting, added some interesting information. He said that, while 17 potential NC online sports betting operators expressed interest in doing business in the Tar Heel State, only seven submitted complete applications.
Those seven were revealed a few weeks ago, and that list of operators includes the following online sportsbooks:
- bet365
- BetMGM NC
- DraftKings NC
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook NC
- FanDuel NC
- Underdog Fantasy
That list, of course, excludes some potential key players in the market. One of them, Caesars Sportsbook NC, already operates several North Carolina sports betting outlets in the form of brick-and-mortar facilities at casinos.
Carpenter also detailed the requirements necessary for an operator to receive a certificate of compliance and do business when NC online sports betting goes live. Among other mandatory items, operators must have rules and regulations approved, responsible gambling items must be in place, geolocation practices must be refined, and apps and sites must pass demonstrations.
Testing laboratories recommended for approval
Of note, the Committee did recommend approval of two independent test labs. If approved by the full Commission next week, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and BMM Testlabs will evaluate gaming equipment for compliance with NC sports betting rules and regulations.
The Committee added that test lab submissions are still being accepted. Labs are urged to contact regulators if there is interest in this process.