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The potential start of legal online sports betting in North Carolina is mere weeks away. While licensees and regulators are working to get ready for a likely March 11 launch, they attended to one of the most important aspects of a regulated gambling system on Wednesday.
During its Wednesday meeting, North Carolina Lottery Commission members formally approved a new voluntary gambling self-exclusion program for residents. Application forms are now available online ahead of launch.
North Carolina integrates new voluntary gambling self-exclusion program
With North Carolinians soon to have access to licensed sports betting apps, getting a self-exclusion program that is similarly as easy to access up and running first was an appropriate priority for regulators. This way, people who wish to avail themselves of the program can do so before licensed sports betting apps even take their first bets in North Carolina.
Voluntary self-exclusion is exactly that. According to the commission’s website, North Carolinians “can activate a self-exclusion feature that will block all account-based sports wagering and advance deposit wagering on horse races…available through licensed operators in North Carolina.” Self-exclusion programs are considered a foundation of responsible gambling.
There are several important things to note. First, participation in this program is completely voluntary. No one can sign another person up for the program. Additionally, it will be universal across all licensed online gambling operators in North Carolina. With one application, participants will exclude themselves from all legal apps in the state.
At the same time, it only applies to apps operating with a license in North Carolina. It will not exclude users from apps operating legally in other states or offshore websites. Finally, although the application can be completed online, the commission will make hard copies for those who prefer to complete a physical form. Either way, applying is simple.
A few minutes and a little bit of identifying information
Participants have options within the program. They can exclude themselves from access to these gambling channels for a year, three years, five years, or the remainder of their lives. To sign up, participants will need to share their:
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Telephone number
Additionally, applicants will need to submit additional photos for identification purposes. While people can have varying reasons for self-exclusion, many participate in such programs because they struggle with compulsive gambling behaviors. For them, self-exclusion can be an important safeguard.
With this program now in place, regulators can turn to final preparations for their intended March 11 launch. Things seem to be moving along to meet that goal.
Meeting provides short update on sports betting rollout
During Wednesday’s meeting, North Carolina Lottery Deputy Executive Director for Gaming Compliance and Sports Betting Sterl Carpenter provided a brief update on getting online sportsbooks ready to start taking bets in the state.
Carpenter said that overall, the process is going well and commission staff have had several meetings with applicants/licensees to review areas of compliance. Carpenter added that those interfaces will continue to be ongoing over the coming months and weeks.
Everything seems to be on track for that March 11 launch. With the new self-exclusion program in place, this could be the best time for North Carolinians to assess their attitudes toward legal online sports betting and their options for participation in the program.
