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7 Sports Betting Operators Named for North Carolina Launch

Davis Isabela

Updated on December 31, 2023 at 3:26 PM EST, this article can be read in 1 minute and 61 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Harrison Ingram of the North Carolina Tar Heels gestures to the bench after a 3-point basket against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, as we look at the best bet365 North Carolina promo code.
Harrison Ingram of the North Carolina Tar Heels gestures to the bench after a 3-point basket against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images via AFP.

Seven North Carolina sports betting apps were named as hopefuls after the Dec. 27 legal sports betting application deadline passed.

While the deadline was flexible rather than set in stone, the seven top sports betting sites mentioned are likely to be strongly considered for inclusion in North Carolina’s thriving legal sports betting market.

Eight sports venues in North Carolina will host the state’s top sports betting app. With the deadline now passed, the North Carolina Lottery Commission is making progress towards setting a launch date. The state is aiming to legalize mobile sports betting before the start of March Madness on March 19.

The lucky seven

By the Dec. 27 deadline, seven possible North Carolina sportsbooks were announced. However, only four of the seven operators have since completed a required partnership agreement with a sports franchise or venue in the state.

Here are the initial seven possible sports betting sites in North Carolina:

  • bet365, partnered with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
  • BetMGM
  • DraftKings
  • Fanatics Betting and Gaming, partnered with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
  • FanDuel, partnered with the PGA Tour
  • PENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET), partnered with Quail Hollow Club
  • Underdog Sports Wagering, LLC

There are three possible North Carolina sports betting apps that need to form partnerships with a local sports team or venue. There are rumors circulating about an upcoming partnership between DraftKings and a North Carolina sports team.

What about Caesars?

Caesars’ absence is notable as they have not yet submitted an application to join the North Carolina legal mobile sports betting market, despite already having a presence in the state through partnerships with tribal casinos.

The tribal casinos in North Carolina are currently offering retail sports betting on their premises, with Caesars as the designated platform for sports bettors.

Caesars was not included among the seven operators in the commission’s report because the national gaming giant has not yet applied to be an operator for mobile sports betting in the state. However, it did apply as a “service provider,” which follows a slightly different process.

On the other hand, Caesars is anticipated to launch its mobile sportsbook in the state in collaboration with the tribal partnership.

More to come?

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has indicated that it will still be accepting applications, even though the deadline has already passed.

As per a press release from the commission, the staff is currently sorting and organizing the extensive information provided in each application to evaluate its completeness before proceeding with a thorough review.

According to North Carolina law, the Commission has the authority to issue up to 12 licenses. With seven operator applications already approved and another pending, it is clear that there will be further developments in the legal sports betting operator application process in North Carolina.

March on

Although they may have missed the opportunity to bet on the Super Bowl, North Carolina sports betting enthusiasts can look forward to March Madness as the next big event on the calendar. This annual tournament is poised to be the starting point for sports betting in the state.

In a recent interview, Gov. Roy Cooper reaffirmed the anticipated timeline for the launch of North Carolina’s sports betting apps.

He stated that the aim is to release it before March Madness, although there is no guarantee but that is the objective.

Written By:
Davis Isabela
Davis Isabela is the Editor-in-Chief of Underscoreg Review. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications across North America. His first book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles. James has also been quoted as a sports betting expert in USA Today and Sports Illustrated.