Sports fans in North Carolina are eagerly awaiting the arrival of mobile sports betting in the state, with pertinent legislation expected to roll out this year.
Previous reports claimed residents would be able to place wagers on sporting events at some point within the first half of 2024. And, with the calendar having changed, anticipation is growing.
There’s no official date on when sports betting apps will go live but sportsbooks hosting mobile apps looking to be in the initial rollout had up to December to submit their applications. Reports note that applications are still coming in.
Many sports fans in North Carolina are intrigued by the prospect of placing bets on their favorite teams and events via mobile sports betting apps. The convenience and accessibility of mobile betting platforms are expected to attract a significant number of users.
While the launch date is still uncertain, many sportsbooks are already preparing to offer attractive promotions and bonuses to attract new customers. With numerous big names in the industry expected to enter the market, North Carolina’s sports betting debut is shaping up to be an exciting one for sports fans and gamblers alike.
Officials have confirmed that online wagering won’t be accessible by the time the Super Bowl rolls around on February 11. However, when the launch does occur, Sportsbooks in North Carolina are gearing up to offer promotions. They are keen on attracting a significant number of new signups and are preparing to do so with a variety of attractive offers and incentives. Therefore, residents of North Carolina can anticipate a lot of movement and special deals from these Sportsbooks, designed to enhance their betting experience and provide added value as they engage in this new venture.
While legal sports betting won’t be a thing in North Carolina by early February, legislation requires that operators be in a position to launch in mid-June. As of late last year, one could deduce that the state’s mobile platforms will become available between mid-February and mid-June.
Operators are to also have partnerships with professional sports franchises or venues to become a part of the betting pool in NC. Bet365 North Carolina is among the sportsbooks that have been announced as an inbound avenue for sports fans given their deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
“We are excited to announce this partnership with bet365,” Jacob Gallagher, the Hornets Sports and Entertainment Chief Revenue Officer, said in a release. “Since the day Governor Cooper signed sports wagering into law at Spectrum Center in June, we sought a partner that would help us provide our fans with new, additional opportunities to engage with their favorite sports teams. We are confident that bet365 is a great fit with our organization and can help us do that.”
ESPN Bet is also set to make a foray into the state after launching in over 10 locations across the country in December, having partnered up with a PGA Tour venue, Quail Hollow Club.
Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina has also partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes to create a path while FanDuel North Carolina’s deal with the PGA Tour left them eligible.
The likes of Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings are all expected to be a part of the launch, while Catawba Two Kings Casino has applied as well.
BetRivers, which has a presence in multiple states, could also be involved, and Hard Rock Bets could also look to take a slice of the pie after going live in Florida last year.
The likes of SuperBook Sports and Circa Sports are other potential entrants. Both sportsbooks are reputable and are looking to widen their reach, though they aren’t moving as quickly as some of the other names in the space.
There’s also the possibility of a local operator with links to the state taking root with a mobile betting app.
In more recent times, there’s hope that mobile sports betting will be available in NC in just over two months as Governor Roy Cooper has revealed that the aim is to have everything set up before the NCAA Tournament in March.
“The idea is to try to get it in place before March Madness,” he said after a Council of State meeting in Raleigh on Tuesday. “There’s a lot going on at the Lottery Commission to make sure that that process goes the right way.”
The tournament is set to start on March 21, with Charlotte’s Spectrum Center to host games from the first and second rounds.
North Carolina’s legalization of sports betting is expected to bring in a significant amount of revenue for the state once the market is fully established. This could potentially provide a boost to the economy and create new job opportunities in the industry.
