Sports bettors in North Carolina have enjoyed retail sports betting since May 2021 at tribal casinos in the state. Governor Roy Cooper would sign HB347 into law in June 2023, officially allowing residents to bet on their favorite sports online. The wait is almost over as fans anticipate the start of online sports betting, which the North Carolina Lottery Commission recently announced will launch on March 11, 2024.
Many of the biggest US sports betting market operators will be among the providers. The initial bill allowed for up to 12 online sportsbooks but was revised to require operators to partner with one of 11 pro sports organizations approved by the state.
Seven online operators have applied for NC sports betting licenses, with many already securing partnership deals. Each must pay a $1 million fee to operate for five years and will be taxed at an 18% rate. Estimates say that online sportsbooks could handle $6.8 billion in wagers by 2026, generating over $610 million in revenue for the state.
North Carolina Online Sportsbooks
Besides the sportsbooks that have already signed agreements, two tribes have also applied for licenses in North Carolina but aren’t guaranteed to launch by March 11 because they submitted their applications after the suggested December 27 deadline. The Eastern Band of Cherokees already operates two Caesars sportsbooks and is partnering with them online. The Catawba Two Kings Casino also applied but has yet to secure a sports organization partnership.
The other online sportsbooks expected to launch gained access to the market through the following partnerships:
- Bet365 – The NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
- BetMGM – Charlotte Motor Speedway
- DraftKings – NASCAR
- ESPN Bet – Quail Hollow Club and the PGA Wells Fargo Championship
- Fanatics – The NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
- FanDuel – The PGA Tour
- Underdog Sports – McConnell Golf
Other North Carolina sports organizations qualified to partner with online betting providers include Charlotte FC of the MLS, the NC Courage of the NWSL, the Carolina Panthers, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Sedgefield Country Club.
North Carolina Sports Betting Options
Online sports betting is set to launch on March 11, just in time for the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, with Selection Sunday set for March 17 and the First Four on March 20. Early online registration begins on March 1 for anyone 21 or older living in the state.
Bettors will have over 20 professional and college sports markets available with the best sportsbooks when mobile wagering goes live, including popular sports like football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, boxing, golf, auto racing and MMA. Bigger sports betting providers will offer up to 15 additional sports markets. North Carolina players will also have many generous welcome bonuses and exclusive offers to choose from when they sign up for a new wagering account.
Retail sports betting will also be expanded, as the state has approved up to eight facilities to open retail wagering at sports betting lounges in North Carolina under the new legislation.
North Carolina law also permits sports betting on college teams, with no restrictions on schools based in the state.
