North Carolina

The state opened with eight sportsbooks that are available to customers 21 or older anywhere inside state lines. This was after the sportsbooks were granted a 10-day window to pre-register customers, during which they could receive a variety of prizes that were boosted compared to traditional sign-up offers.

“We are continuing to make significant strides towards putting all the different pieces together and being prepared for the successful launch of sports and pari-mutuel wagering on March 11, which is not that far off,” North Carolina Lottery Commission Chair Ripley Rand said during a Wednesday meeting. 

The announcement ended a lengthy period of build-up and anticipation as the state prepares to unify its retail gambling market with a new online branch. North Carolina retail sports betting was legalized in July 2019 and launched in March 2021 at select locations, but online sportsbooks have been prohibited from conducting business.

North Carolina legalized the expansion to online sports betting in 2023 with a law that will go into effect on Jan. 8. The state expects to launch the newly-expanded market by June 14 but has not provided an official date, though that date is not expected to fall before the Super Bowl.

The Cordish Companies, a casino development company based in Baltimore, was responsible for contributions to at least eight politicians. There is concern that if the lawmakers proceed with the draft to the benefit of The Cordish Cos., it will perpetuate a system wherein businesses and political parties work for one another.

Since football last kicked off a new season in September 2022, states such as North Carolina and Kentucky have made major legislative changes to legalize and expand their sports betting markets. States with existing markets are also feverishly preparing for what will be the busiest time of the year for sportsbooks.

Gov. Cooper has the opportunity to sign off on a new groundbreaking piece of legislation because of the efforts of the state congress. There were lots and back-and-forths and revisions of plans before the House and Senate ultimately settled on House Bill 347.

The North Carolina House is meeting Wednesday to discuss a plan to expand legal sports betting outside of a couple of retail establishments with the use of online and mobile sportsbooks. At the end of the discussion, a vote will determine if the plan is approved and goes to the Governor’s desk.

The Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee delivered its verdict in favor of HB 347 roughly one month after the House of Representatives voted on the sports betting bill. The changes of note were to the tax rate and addition of pari-mutuel betting on horse racing events.

North Carolina is one of 36 states that have legalized sports betting in at least some form, although the options are restricted to a few in-person outlets. Online sports betting has been more divisive, largely due to the debate over betting on college sports.