The regulatory process for legal online sports betting in North Carolina is moving forward even if it is not happening at the pace some in the state would like. On Wednesday morning, members of the North Carolina Lottery Commission took a big step toward launching online sportsbooks.

A second batch of regulations governing that activity is now final, essentially completing that task. With other moving parts in progress, the timeline for a late first-quarter 2024 launch for North Carolina sports betting apps remains feasible. The commission had previously ruled out a launch before the Feb. 11 Super Bowl.

Commission approves draft rules with one exception

During the North Carolina Lottery Commission’s meeting on Dec. 13, the members considered the latest submission of proposed rules from the lottery’s sports betting committee. That submission addressed many aspects of regulation the first set of rules didn’t include.

For example, the second draft addressed responsible gambling standards including impermissible language in marketing. The second batch also limited advertising for sportsbooks at sporting venues in North Carolina.

After consideration, the committee encountered one issue with the draft rules. A paragraph regarding licensees working with marketing affiliates drew heavy attention during the public comment period. Because of the issues the comments presented, the commission approved a motion to amend the rules to strike that paragraph.

With that exception, the commission approved the remainder of the rules unanimously. The lottery’s sports betting committee will work more on drafting rules regarding affiliate marketing and re-submit new language for the commission to consider.

Amid that activity, the commission is likely enjoying a bit of a respite before the action really picks up toward the end of December.

Deadline for license application submissions approaching

Wednesday’s meeting came exactly two weeks prior to a Dec. 27 deadline for hopeful licensees to submit their applications. That includes not only sportsbook operators but vendors that provide them with necessary services as well.

While the commission could consider license applications past that date as well, that is the deadline the commission set for consideration to have approval at the earliest opportunity. Applicants who submit their forms past that deadline could risk not being able to take advantage of the new market on its first day.

By law, the commission has 90 days to render decisions on applications. While the commission may not do so, that would put the first approvals in line for late March. More expedient approvals on at least some of the licenses are more likely, though.

If the first approvals happen in January or February, that would give regulators weeks to conduct final testing and certifications to actually allow legal online sportsbooks to start taking bets in North Carolina. Wednesday’s approval of the rules allows the commission to shift its focus to the applications. For that reason, Wednesday’s meeting makes North Carolinians being able to legally bet on March Madness games in 2024 a little more probable.

And once online sports betting launches in North Carolina, lawmakers could turn their attention to again proposing allowing retail casinos (outside of the three tribal casinos in the state) and eventually NC online casinos.

https://www.playusa.com/regulations-approved-north-carolina-sports-betting/

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Please Note: Currently Sports Wagering is not allowed in the state of North Carolina. By statute, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (Commission) will determine the date on which Sports Wagering may commence, however that date may not be earlier than January 8, 2024. The Commission is currently working to license both Interactive Sports Wagering Operators and their Service Providers and Suppliers. Once they are licensed and have fulfilled all pre-launch requirements of the Commission, licensed Sports Wagering Operators may offer the events and wagers listed below in the State.

Sports Wagers

The following wagers are approved for all licensed Interactive Sports Wagering Operators.

Exchange Wagering

• A form of wagering in which two or more Persons place identically opposing wagers in a given market, allowing Players to wager on both winning and non-winning outcomes in the same event.

In-Game Wagering

• Placing a Sports Wager during a sporting event which is not an in-play wager.

In-Play Wagers

• Proposition Wagers placed on a specific action during the sporting event which could not be wagered on prior to the start of the sporting event.

Moneyline

• Sports Wagers placed on the winner of a sporting event.

Over-Under

• Sports Wagers on the total of approved numerical aspects of one or more sporting events.

Parlays

• Sports Wagers that combine two or more individual wagers and are dependent on all individual wagers winning.

Pool

• An offering where Players may make selections of outcomes on a set number of sporting events and Wager type on a Card to enter for a chance to win the Prize Pool or a portion thereof.

Proposition Wagers

• Sports Wagers placed on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a specific outcome of events within a sporting event not directly involving the sporting event’s final outcome.

Single-game wagers

• One or more Sports Wagers which take place on or within a single sporting event.

Straight Wagers

• Sports Wagers placed on a sporting event’s final outcome prior to its start that will be determined by an over-under, point spread, moneyline or total score.

Teaser Wagers

• Parlays where the player adjusts the point spread or over-unders resulting in a change of payout.

Operators will not be allowed to offer any of the following:

• Sports wagering involving youth sports.
• Sports wagering on any of the following:
  • The occurrence of injuries.
  • The occurrence of penalties.
  • The outcome of disciplinary proceedings against a participant in a sporting event.
  • The outcome of replay reviews.

Authorized Sports Wagering Events and Wagers for North Carolina

For the most current updated catalog of events please click the link below.

• NC-Sports-Wagering-Catalog

Petition for a new event or wager

An individual may request approval of additional events and wagers that are not included in the initial catalog by using the Petition of new Events or Wagers form. Each petition for a new event or wager must be sponsored by a licensed Sports Wagering Operator.

Currently the NCSLC is not accepting petitions at this time. Please check back at a later time for updates. One must fill out all areas of the form that pertain to the catalog of the request. All completed forms and any attachments should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

https://ncgaming.gov/