In North Carolina, sports betting bill HB347 was enacted into law in June 2023. Operators in the state could apply for licenses to offer sports betting online. Sports betting became legal in North Carolina in 2019 but only applied to in-person sports betting at tribal casinos. The new law charges the North Carolina Education Lottery with overseeing the licensing and regulation of NC online sports betting.
The bill approval allowed 12 online sportsbook licenses. North Carolina is the 30th state to legalize online sports betting. Registered sports bettors within its borders can now bet on college, professional, or Olympic-style sports. It’s not legal to wager on high school sports.
Launch of online sports betting
After the passage of the bill, the NC Lottery Commission drafted more rules to shape how online sports betting would look. It reduced the number of licenses from 12 to 11. To receive a sports betting license from the commission, operators must partner with a professional sports franchise, sports venue, or an entity like NASCAR. A list of 45 sports was approved for sports betting.
As of March 1st, customers could register with licensed online casinos and make their deposits. Eight sports betting apps went live on the day of the launch. These are FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, bet365, and Underdog. DraftKings partners with NASCAR and Fanatics with the Hurricanes.
Other sports betting apps are likely to go live in the future. The BetRivers app has a user-friendly interface and offers a safe and secure betting experience. It is likely to be recognizable to bettors in North Carolina who are familiar with the Rivers Casino. In the same way, they are likely to recognize the betPARX app if they have bet in person at a Parx Casino. The bespoke betPARX betting app offers a top-class gambling experience.
The first ceremonial bet
The launch was just in time for the 2024 ACC men’s basketball tournament and March madness. Retired Carolina Panthers player Greg Olsen placed the first ceremonial online bet.
In-person betting
In-person betting will occur at sportsbooks or near sports locations and automobile racing. The commission will look at applicants on a case-by-case basis, and they will open as operators meet requirements.
Tax revenue
With the legalization of online betting, the gross tax revenue from the sector will be 18%. It could exceed $100 million annually within five years. This revenue will help boost North Carolina’s economy in various ways, such as funding university athletic departments and youth sports programs.
Online safety
Online casino safety is a priority when betting at online sportsbooks. Users need to be aware of online scams. Security measures like encryption and two-factor authentication are necessary to protect their confidential information. Sports bettors should certify that the online casinos they choose have a license and are regulated.
Student-athletes in North Carolina received sports betting education and awareness training before the launch of legal sports betting in the state.