Although legal sports betting is really nothing new to North Carolina, for many North Carolinians, accessing regulated online sportsbooks just became a lot more convenient. Eligible people all over the state can now take a respite from their doomscrolling and check out the betting markets on the same devices.
Eight licensed sports betting apps began accepting wagers all over the state of North Carolina at noon local time on Monday. Thus, a new era for legal online gambling began in the state. Akin to one of the most famous songs from The Carpenters, however, it’s only just begun.
For more on the online sports betting market, check out Legal Sports Report’s story on everything you need to know about North Carolina’s official sports betting launch.
March 11 sees North Carolina sportsbook apps fire up
North Carolina residents and visitors of age have been able to place in-person wagers at tribal casinos inside the state for years. Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook has been taking online bets on lands controlled by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians since March 1.
As far as the rest of the state went, however, it’s just been a waiting game. While North Carolina’s licensed online sportsbooks have been accepting account registrations and deposits since March 1, they haven’t been able to actually take bets until noon on Monday.
With the start of statewide online wagering, eight sportsbooks are sharing new horizons in North Carolina. Besides Caesars, those are:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG)
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Underdog Sports
These online gambling companies are hoping to find a place with room to grow.
Online casinos could be next but far off
When it comes to regulated online gambling, North Carolina seems to be starting with walking and learning to run. Watching the signs along the way might point to a fuller landscape for that gaming.
In 2023, there were legislative proposals to expand in-person casino play in the state to non-tribal operators. Although resistance to including online casino play in the gambling expansion bills was significant, there was also some level of openness to the idea.
Online sports betting could open more minds to the premise. New tax revenues for the state from expanded gambling might spur promises of how much more online casino activity could deliver. It might take years to open enough minds to the concept to create the conditions necessary to actually enact more gambling expansion legislation, though.
The online gambling companies are likely to be working together, day by day, to support any move toward legalizing online casinos in North Carolina. In the state, they’ve only just begun. You can always check out our online casino bill tracker to see where your state stands.