Sports Betting Rules in North Carolina Starting to Come Into Focus

Legal sports betting in North Carolina moved one step closer to fruition on Tuesday, as the state’s lottery commission approved a set of preliminary rules for sports wagering at top sportsbooks and betting sites. This development follows Gov. Roy Cooper’s signing of a bill in June that legalized mobile sports and horse racing wagering, with a focus on the best sports betting apps.

The inaugural meeting of the newly established sports betting committee marked the beginning of efforts to develop a platform for launching North Carolina sports betting apps and promoting North Carolina sportsbooks. The brief 30-minute session included discussions on potential wagering definitions and details on the licensing process.

The topics covered in the brief meeting were considered preliminary, but they were not controversial and are anticipated to be approved by regulators and sports betting providers looking to enter the North Carolina market.

The rules presented here are just a small part of the comprehensive set of rules that our staff will be proposing to the commission,” stated Sterl Carpenter, the lottery’s deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting. “We are listening to your guidance and feedback to develop a thorough regulatory program that prioritizes the public interest, sets clear expectations for regulated entities, promotes responsible gaming, and ensures consumer protection as we prepare to open the North Carolina market.”

What was discussed?

The Committee focused on initiating the drafting of rules and regulations for the upcoming legal sports betting platform during the short 30-minute meeting on Tuesday.

The rule makers are aware that they need to begin the process of governing mobile sports betting soon, as the launch deadline of June 15, 2024 approaches.

The legal sports betting committee of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission recently voted to approve several basic rules proposals. These include defining mobile sports wagering, addressing technical issues, and discussing aspects of the licensing process for North Carolina sports betting apps.

The meeting discussed 48 regulations crucial for advancing the implementation of mobile sports betting in the state. These requirements are expected to be simple formalities and will be fast-tracked by the Commission and state in order to meet the summer launch deadline.

Retail exists but when will mobile?

Three tribal casinos in North Carolina currently host a retail sports betting platform, with plans for a mobile betting option in the works. State regulations require North Carolina sports betting apps to be operational by June 15, 2024.

The commission’s internet-based platform may launch as early as January, but must be operational by mid-June. The exact launch date for the North Carolina mobile sports betting apps is uncertain, but the Super Bowl in February and March Madness are two highly anticipated annual sporting events for betting in the U.S.

Having mobile sports betting available in time for either of those events would be advantageous for everyone.

So, what’s next?

The deadline for public comments on mobile sports betting is Nov. 1, as indicated on the North Carolina Lottery Commission website. A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

With the expedited definitions and rules for the platform, along with the next phases of the rules-making process established, it seems that regulators in the state are ready to accelerate their legalization efforts.

Carpenter stated that this indicates we are on schedule to meet our legal deadline.

Following the public hearing scheduled for the end of the month, the next steps will involve initiating the licensing process, which is expected to attract major U.S. sports betting apps to participate in North Carolina.

Carpenter stated that applicants must submit thorough, sworn, and punctual applications for review by the commission staff. He also mentioned that proposed versions of the sports betting application form will be presented in the upcoming weeks for review and approval.

After years of delays, North Carolina is finally making progress towards launching a legal mobile sports betting platform. State regulators have plenty of U.S. market templates to reference, which will help streamline the process.

Expect the North Carolina mobile platform to rapidly unite as the demand for online sports betting becomes increasingly apparent.