North Carolina Betting Industry

Disappointment in North Carolina Over Betting Start Date

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 27 November 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

See Full Bio

In a disappointing turn of events for sports betting fans in North Carolina, it has been announced that the much-anticipated launch of legal sports wagering will not be available by January 8, 2024, as initially hoped.

Despite the legislative efforts earlier this year to legalize sports betting in the Tar Heel State, regulatory hurdles and the need for rigorous processes have affected the launch date, which could be pushed as far back as June 15.

The responsibility for establishing the necessary regulations for sports betting is that of the North Carolina Lottery Commission. According to reports, the commission has encountered various issues when it comes to implementing the necessary framework.

Sterl Carpenter, North Carolina’s Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance, recently stated that a number of crucial steps must be taken before North Carolina sports fans can start placing their bets.

A Range of Challenges

One of the points highlighted by Commissioner Cari Boyce was the need for the commission to meet daily in order to expedite the process and try to meet the January deadline set by the law. However, even this might not be sufficient to meet the target.

Van Denton, Director of Communications for the North Carolina Lottery, said:

Until the rulemaking and licensing are completed, a ‘go live’ date for sports betting can’t be scheduled. No start of sports betting is anticipated by Jan. 8, 2024, the earliest date allowed under law.

To bring sports betting closer to becoming a reality, the commission has planned a series of steps. Officials have already met to put together the first set of sports betting rules, along with a sports wagering catalog that was approved by the committee recently.

This catalog includes a range of professional, collegiate, and international sporting events across 45 different categories, catering to a diverse range of sports enthusiasts.

Furthermore, the North Carolina Lottery Commission has introduced a new website, ncgaming.gov, which will serve as a platform for providing updates on the ongoing rulemaking and licensing processes and keeping the public informed about the progress being made.

Critical Steps to Be Taken

A number of critical steps must be completed before sports betting can become a reality in North Carolina. Regulatory authorities will need to approve additional rules, and this will be preceded by a formal comment process to gather input from the public. Following this, there will be an application and licensing process, which involves comprehensive background checks on key applicants and personnel.

Once licenses are issued, regulators will have the responsibility of overseeing sportsbook programs, with a particular focus on areas such as internal controls and responsible gaming practices. Sportsbook operators will also need to enter into designation agreements with sports teams or governing bodies, and they will only be authorized to operate within the facilities of the designated team.

North Carolina’s sports betting law provides for in-venue sportsbooks at four professional stadiums, namely Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, PNC Arena, and WakeMed Park. Temporary sportsbooks can also operate during events hosted at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sedgefield Country Club, and Quail Hollow Club, known for hosting two annual PGA Tour tournaments.