The launch of North Carolina online sports betting will have to wait a bit longer. In fact, that launch date won’t be until after sports betting’s biggest annual event.
Super Bowl LVIII is set for Sunday, Feb. 11. However, those looking to bet the game online in the Tar Heel State will be disappointed, as the North Carolina online sports betting industry won’t be live at that point.
Why is NC online sports betting delayed?
The news came out of a North Carolina State Lottery Commission meeting Wednesday. While the commission had already stated an “as early as possible” launch date of Jan. 8, 2024, wasn’t in the cards, the latest gathering included this quote from committee chair Ripley Rand:
“We see questions about whether sports betting will be up and running in time for the Super Bowl. It’s clear, however, with all the work remaining to be done and the timetable set out in state law that unfortunately won’t be the case.”
Applications for North Carolina online sports betting licenses will be available in the next few days. Those will be due by Wednesday, Dec. 27. Further news could come from a pair of early-December meetings. The Sports Betting Committee meets on Wednesday, Dec. 6, while the full commission meets Wednesday, Dec. 13.
What Super Bowl betting options are there in NC?
Fortunately, North Carolinians won’t be totally left out in the cold this February. There are several sports betting options available for the big game.
Retail sports betting is available in North Carolina. Bettors close to one of the state’s three tribal casinos can visit on-site sportsbooks located at those establishments.
In addition, online sports betting is available in one of North Carolina’s neighboring states. Virginia online sports betting has been legal for years, and provides an option for those close to the NC/VA border.
So when will NC online sports betting launch?
We don’t have a definitive launch date yet. However, North Carolina online sports betting must launch by June 14, 2024. That’s the one-year anniversary of when Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law.
The next milestone event for online sports betting after Super Bowl LVIII is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. March Madness tips off on March 21, 2024, and it’s an annual financial windfall for sports betting across the country.
That could be especially true for North Carolina online sports betting if it’s live by then. The Tar Heel State boasts national powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, among other schools aiming to go far in the tournament, so enthusiasm is high. Furthermore, Virginia sports betting does not allow for wagering on in-state college teams. That means Virginians looking to bet on teams like Virginia and Virginia Tech may come into North Carolina to do so.
When NC online sports betting launches, expect a full-court press in the form of NC online sports betting promos from some of the best online sportsbooks. Stay tuned to Winners And Whiners for more information and updates.
