North Carolina Sports Betting Launch Described as ‘Positive’

Mar 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jalen Washington (13) and forward Jae’Lyn Withers (24) chest bump after Washington scores and draws the foul against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsThe North Carolina Sports Betting Committee met for the first time since the state launched online sports bettingA regulator said the launch was a positive oneNo specifics were provided on bet amounts, but described as “large”

More than one week after North Carolina launched online sports betting and regulators are already describing its jump-off as a positive one.

The North Carolina Sports Betting Committee met this afternoon for the first time since the state launched online sports betting on Monday, March 11, at noon. Regulators were enthusiastic about the launch and its level of activity during the state’s first week.

While no specifics were provided, the level of North Carolina betting activity in the last nine days was described as “large.”

North Carolina Online Sports Betting Launch Went Smoothly

Sterl Carpenter, deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting, congratulated the lottery commission and sports betting committee members for their work towards the state’s sports betting launch.

“All eight operators that met the requirement for licensure and had their certificates of compliance were able to go live and began accepting wagers on Monday, March 11. This is due in large part to the the enormous amount of work from our team here at the lottery. All reports concerning the launch have been very positive,” Carpenter said.

Committee member Ripley Rand jokingly asked Carpenter if he could confirm that “at least one bet was made since the launch.”

Carpenter said specific sport betting numbers will be available at a future date, but confirmed that a “large” number of bets had been placed in the state.

“There was a large amount of wagers that were placed. We are still tallying all the information and we hope to have more soon,” he said.

North Carolina Launches with Eight Operators

The Tar Heel State will likely be the only state to launch sports betting this year. Eight operators are currently live and accepting bets. Here are the licensed sportsbooks that are currently live in the state:

bet365 North Carolina: Charlotte HornetsBetMGM North Carolina Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCaesars Sportsbook North Carolina: Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise CherokeeDraftKings NC: NASCARFanatics Betting and Gaming: Carolina HurricanesFanDuel North Carolina: PGA TourPENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET North Carolina): Quail Hollow Club (PGA Tour course)Underdog Sports: McConnell Golf

As part of the application process, sportsbook operators had to partner with either a state sports franchise, arena, NASCAR track, or PGA Tour course.

The Catawba Two Kings Casino is still awaiting a license and has yet to announce its operating partner. It was the only group that applied for a sports betting license that was not initially approved.