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It’s Launch Day For North Carolina Sports Betting

Davis Isabela

Updated on March 11, 2024 at 3:06 PM EDT • Read time: 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Find more on Twitter and Google News.

After months of hard work, the highly anticipated launch of North Carolina’s sports betting scene finally came to fruition on Monday. Several top sportsbooks have now started operating in the state.

Both ESPN BET North Carolina and Caesars Underscoreg North Carolina were the first to go live in the Tar Heel State market, launching within one minute of the 12 p.m. ET launch time. Fanatics Underscoreg North Carolina followed closely behind, going live within two minutes of Noon, while DraftKings North Carolina and FanDuel North Carolina were also up and running, taking bets within 10 minutes of the platform’s launch.

Governor Roy Cooper and former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen were among the first to place bets on betting sites in North Carolina. Cooper bet on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup, while Olsen wagered on Bubba Wallace to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Underscoregs available and the bonuses

There are eight approved North Carolina sports betting apps ready to launch in the market, each offering promotions for North Carolina sportsbooks.

  • bet365 North Carolina in partnership with the Charlotte Hornets – Choice between $200 in bonus bets with a $5 wager or $1,000 first bet safety net, meaning your first bet will be refunded in bonus bets if it loses.
  • BetMGM North Carolina in partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway – $150 in bonus bets to new users who have not previously registered.
  • DraftKings North Carolina in partnership with NASCAR – $250 in bonus bets after a $5 wager. You’ll get 10 $25 bonus bets, and those wagers must be used within seven days.
  • ESPN BET North Carolina in partnership with Quail Hollow Golf Club – Choice of two offers – $225 in bonus bets for making any bet, and then an additional deposit match offer. You’ll get 200% on top of whatever you put in, up to $500.
  • Fanatics Underscoreg North Carolina in partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes – Choice between two offers: A $100 bet match over 10 days for $1,000 total, or bet $20, get $200 in bonus bets.
  • FanDuel North Carolina in partnership with the PGA Tour – Get up to $250 in Bonus Bets. Also get +100 odds on a point to be scored in Pistons-Hornets on Monday with a $50 max.
  • Underdog Sports North Carolina in partnership with McConnell Golf – Get the first bet back as a bonus if the loss is up $1,000.
  • Caesars Underscoreg North Carolina in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians- Get $250 in bonus bets after a $10 wager.

How we arrived here

Since 2021, retail sports betting has been available in North Carolina at three tribal-owned brick-and-mortar casinos. There is a legislative effort in the state to not only broaden the retail platform, but also to introduce top sports betting apps, which offer more opportunities for profit and a wider range of options.

On June 14, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper elevated North Carolina’s legal sports betting industry by signing H.B. 347, expanding retail sports betting and legalizing online sports betting websites in the Tar Heel State.

Lawmakers and the North Carolina Lottery Commission have been working quickly since June to launch the lottery. While the original goal of launching before the Super Bowl wasn’t met, the new target date of March 11, just before March Madness in the basketball-loving state, is seen as a reasonable alternative.

Matt Kalish, president of DraftKings North America, expressed excitement last week about launching their top-rated sportsbook app in North Carolina, with the NCAA Tournament approaching and the NASCAR season in full swing. He noted the passionate fan base and iconic college basketball programs in the Tar Heel State, making it an exciting time to introduce legalized online sports betting.

So…

Individuals aged 21 and over in North Carolina are eligible to download a sports betting app, complete a quick sign-up process, make a deposit by following the prompts, and place their first bet in the state’s market.

The markets that are accessible according to North Carolina state law include:

  • single-game wager
  • teaser wagers
  • parlays
  • Over/Under
  • moneyline
  • pools
  • exchange wagering
  • in-game wagering
  • in-play wagers
  • proposition wagers
  • straight wagers

All major sports common in a high-stakes betting state will be offered for wagering, including local college teams. This is crucial as March Madness is about to begin.

Potential gains

With a population of 10.7 million residents, North Carolina ranks as the ninth-largest state in the United States. In addition, it is the proud home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.

North Carolina has officially become the 39th state to legalize sports betting, joining a growing number of states across the country. This decision provides North Carolina sports fans with new opportunities for excitement, levels the playing field for the state’s teams, and brings in additional revenue for both the state and local governments.

Analysts project that the state could generate between $8 million and $24 million in tax revenue annually.

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.