North Carolina Betting – Latest Details

The prospects for sports betting in the Tar Heel State are promising, with the introduction of North Carolina online sports betting is anticipated by the start of next year.

State legislators have been diligently piecing together legal frameworks to enable online sports wagering. Their endeavors bore fruit in June 2023, with the governor ratifying the bill. Now, online sports betting in North Carolina is expected to kick off by January 2024, with several of the top betting sites expected to launch there.

North Carolina Betting – The Latest

On June 14, 2023, North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper marked a significant moment for sports enthusiasts in the state by signing HB 347, effectively legalizing sports betting. This move permits the establishment of eight retail sportsbooks and the potential launch of up to 12 online sports betting apps.

The inception of HB 347 started in the Spectrum Center, home to the Charlotte Hornets, with lawmakers convening to witness the bill’s enactment. This pivotal step means residents will soon have the opportunity to legally place bets on both professional and collegiate sports. 

However, those eager to start online betting will need a bit more patience. The bill dictates that its provisions will take effect on January 8, 2024. Thereafter, regulators have up to a year to greenlight the initiation of online sportsbooks.

Legal sports betting in North Carolina has some stipulations. Only individuals 21 years and above can place wagers. For those opting for an in-person experience, they can do so at retail sportsbooks situated within 1.5 miles of any of the state’s eight major professional sports venues.

These encompass the Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Quail Hollow in Charlotte, along with PNC Arena in Raleigh, WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. Moreover, the new law allows for the creation of up to 12 online betting platforms and apps.

North Carolina’s journey to legalize sports betting has not been without its twists and turns. Initially, in 2019, the state allowed retail sports betting exclusively at tribal casinos with the introduction of SB 154. This bill was overwhelmingly approved in both the Senate and House, leading to the opening of the first two retail sportsbooks by Caesars in May 2021.

Following this, another proposal, SB 688, sought to authorize the launch of 10 to 12 online sportsbooks. Although it garnered early support in 2022, it was narrowly defeated in the House. Nevertheless, the drive to legalize online sports betting continued, culminating in the success of HB 347 in 2023.

Will We See NC Betting in Time for Football?

It appears unlikely that North Carolina will have legal online sports betting operational in time for the 2023 NFL season, which kicks off on August 8th. While Governor Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law on June 14, 2023, the legislation stipulates that its provisions will only come into effect from January 8, 2024.

This means that even though the state has legalized sports betting, the operational mechanics and the platforms won’t be functional until after the mentioned date.

Further complicating the timeline, once the law becomes effective in January 2024, regulators in North Carolina will have up to a year to give the green light to online sportsbook platforms. This regulatory clearance is a crucial step in ensuring that all betting operations adhere to the state’s guidelines and legal parameters. Therefore, while the desire for online sports betting is evident, the process involved in setting up and ensuring its smooth operation will necessitate waiting.

In summary, football enthusiasts in North Carolina eager to use the NFL betting apps in 2023 will need to exercise patience. The legislative and regulatory wheels are in motion, but the online betting platforms weren’t up and running in time for the 2023 NFL season’s start in September. Looking forward, the 2024 NFL season holds promise for fans hoping to place their wagers online. However, betting in person is an option.

NC Betting Apps to Expect

Major online sportsbooks, like FanDuel, are set to prioritize North Carolina in the upcoming months. Given that North Carolina ranks as the ninth-largest state in the U.S. by population and boasts numerous key sports teams, it’s poised to emerge as a top market for sports wagering. Tar Heel customers will also be welcomed with plenty of sports betting promos in the run-up to launch.  Users can expect to see offers that mirror current Kentucky sportsbook promos that are currently live.

The state will release 12 licenses, and the proposed 18% tax shouldn’t discourage operators, especially when considering they pay taxes as high as 51% in New York and 36% in Pennsylvania. Given these conditions, residents can anticipate the following top online sports betting platforms to possibly launch in North Carolina: 

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• BetMGM
• Caesars Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• Bet365
• Fanatics