RALEIGH, N.C. — Sports fans won't have to wait much longer to start placing bets on their favorite teams in North Carolina.
The state's lottery commission announced Wednesday that online sports betting will start at 12 p.m. on March 11. Licensed operators (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, etc.) will be allowed to accept new accounts from new North Carolina players on March 1.
A vote on "sports wagering authorization" was the only business item on the agenda for Wednesday's North Carolina Lottery Commission meeting. State law says sports betting must start before June 15.
State leaders previously announced that sports betting wouldn't launch in time for the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. Gov. Roy Cooper said the plan is for mobile sports gambling to start in time for March Madness. The extra time has given state officials enough time to get everything in order for a smooth launch.
So far, nine wagering operators have submitted applications to take best in North Carolina. Operators must have an agreement with in-state teams, leagues or facilities to secure a license. BetMGM partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway, DraftKings teamed with NASCAR and bet365 partnered with the Charlotte Hornets. The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC have not yet announced sports betting partnerships.
Tyler Andrews with NC Sharp said money will flow in and online gambling will be controlled more in North Carolina.
“People are going to gamble," Andrews said. "They will use VPNs or go offshore so now you regulate it and pay attention to it.”
Financial analysts from the state capitol predicted $70 million in revenue will go towards the state in the first five years.
While some are excited about this new form of gambling, others said it will be detrimental to people in North Carolina. Les Bernal with Stop Predatory Gambling said online gambling is an epidemic and it's reaching American youth.
“Online gambling, sports gambling is the equivalent of gambling heroine," Bernal said. "You are going to unleash an incredible epidemic of child gambling because of the amount of advertising that comes along with online sports gambling."
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