North Carolina’s sports betting industry is set to launch, with online wagering set for March 11 and in-person betting beginning the following week. Bettors in North Carolina will have access to professional, college and amateur sporting events; as well as betting at locations with NASCAR Series races or professional golf tournaments with over 50,000 spectators; eight retail sportsbooks will accept bets on teams such as Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) and Panthers (NFL).
The NC Lottery Commission will regulate the first sportsbooks. They have been busy hiring employees and working out any compliance issues before accepting wagers from customers. Companies pursuing sports betting licenses must sign written designation agreements with major sports venues within their state; all operators must also submit plans to address responsible gambling, along with data regarding bettors.
Numerous companies have filed applications with the North Carolina lottery commission for sports betting in North Carolina. The lottery commission encourages these applicants to take their time and ensure that their readiness for launch. Once submitted, their applications will be reviewed by them before being granted licenses if any meet state minimum requirements.
In 2022, the General Assembly approved a bill authorizing sports betting regulation. Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law at an event at Spectrum Center (home of Charlotte Hornets) on June 2023 at which individuals aged 21 or over could legally place bets on professional, college and amateur sporting events as well as esports and horse racing in North Carolina.
Sterl Carpenter was appointed by the state lottery’s commission as sports betting division manager to lead licensing and regulatory efforts at the commission. Carpenter previously assisted in the launch of sports betting operations in Massachusetts and Kentucky.
North Carolina allows online gambling at three tribal casinos: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Cherokee Valley River Casino and Catawba Two Kings Casino. While no standalone online casino exists for North Carolinians to access, several mobile-friendly websites do enable bettors to place bets from home.
There are various legal forms of gambling in Florida, from restaurants and bars that feature poker tables to lottery games and bingo; one of the top-10 lotteries in the nation with annual revenues exceeding $2.5 billion is run out of this lottery division; its funds are then disbursed among various state departments including $2 Million annually towards gambling addiction education and treatment programs and $300,000 given out as athletic department awards at universities and colleges throughout Florida.