The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has announced that legal online sports betting in the state will launch on March 11th, 2024 at noon local time.
Following a meeting of the commission on Wednesday, January 24th, it was revealed that the official launch date was agreed on. The commission also announced that licensed sports betting operators can start accepting registrations for online platforms from March 1st, 2024.
No Licenses Issued Yet
The commission is currently reviewing a total of nine applications for mobile sports wagering licenses. In its announcement, the commission also reminded prospective operators that the final date for receipt of applications is January 26th.
Cari Boyce, chair of the commission’s Sports Betting Committee said:
“The commission and its staff have made great progress in efficiently adopting rules for sports betting, building a system to accept and review technical certifications, and assisting applicants with their applications. This establishes the framework for a responsible gaming program in North Carolina. Now it is up to the applicants to finish the job in order to go live on March 11.”
While mobile sportsbooks can launch on the 11th, commercial in-person sportsbooks will not be available as of yet. The commission confirmed that retail sports wagering licenses will be issued in the future but on a case-by-case basis.
At present, in-person sports wagering is available at three retail sportsbooks in tribal casinos.
Horse race wagering is not yet approved for launch as the commission is currently drafting proposals for the industry ahead of seeking public opinion and comments.
Ripley Rand, chair of the commission said in a statement:
“The plan approved today means that North Carolinians will be able to place bets on their favorite teams in many of this year’s college basketball conference tournaments, including men’s tournaments in the ACC, Conference USA, the MEAC, and the AAC, as well as throughout the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments.
Bets on sporting events have been made for as long as those events have taken place, but this time they will be legal, they will be done securely and fairly, and they will be made under rules designed to encourage responsible gaming.”
The start date for sports betting in North Carolina will arrive over three months ahead of the June 15th deadline set when sports betting was approved last year.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.