North Carolina's regulated mobile sports betting market gets lift-off today, with several operators joining Caesars in launching their operations in the Tar Heel State.
Caesars Sportsbook went live on Friday, March 1, its go-live facilitated by Caesars’ expanded relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
However, a number of other operators are launching their operations in North Carolina today after earning a licence from the state's Lottery Commission.
They include DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment's FanDuel and Penn Entertainment's ESPN Bet.
Matt Kalish, president, DraftKings North America, said: “The Tar Heel State is home to a passionate fanbase and some of the most iconic college basketball programs of all time, making this an exciting time to introduce legalised online sports betting.”
The operator is today collaborating with Carolina Panthers legend Greg Olson to mark the launch. Olson will place the first ceremonial bet with DraftKings.
As part of DraftKings’ partnership with Nascar to facilitate its launch in the state, the event will take place at the Nascar Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Olson will speak alongside DraftKings’ chief commercial officer, Jeremy Elbaum, and North Carolina State Rep. Zack Hawkins.
FanDuel, meanwhile, has become an official sports betting partner of the Carolina Panthers as it gears up to offer legalised wagering to bettors.
FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams show broadcast live from the team’s Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Wednesday, March 6. Guests included former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.
As well as the seven commercial licences, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission issued an eighth licence to Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
North Carolina is the second new mobile sports betting market to go live this year in the US after Vermont in January.
