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American fantasy sports company Underdog Sports is starting the year with a bang. It recently partnered with McConnell Golf to acquire a sports betting license in North Carolina.
The Tar Heel State will commence sports betting this year. And Underdog Sports is among the nine potential sportsbook operators in NC. Some of the operators that have applied for NC sports betting licenses include:
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- ESPN BET
- Fanatics
- Caesars
- Catawba Two Kings
- FanDuel
- Bet365
Currently, there is no official launch date for betting apps in North Carolina. However, Governor Roy Cooper has indicated that the commission aims for a release before March Madness.
Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog Sports, said in a press release:
“Underdog is thrilled to launch our betting games in North Carolina in partnership with McConnell Golf. We’ve spent the last four years building our own technology so we can give sports fans in America new and different ways to enjoy the sports they love. We’re excited to be able to offer that to North Carolinians and look forward to evolving the experience with them.”
McConnell Golf is home to the PGA TOUR’s annual Wyndham Championship
The partnership with McConnell comes on the heels of the constitutional amendment made in the state on Sept. 20, 2023. That is, legal sports betting in North Carolina will require sportsbooks to partner with a gaming entity in the state.
McConnell Golf owns and operates Sedgefield Country Club, located in Greensboro. The Club is the venue for the PGA TOUR’s annual Wyndham Championship.
The Sedgefield Country Club tapped Underdog Sports to host, oversee, and operate their online gambling services as the official sports betting partner of McConnell Golf.
North Carolina will be the first state for Underdog Sports. McConnell Golf Chief Operation Officer Christian Anastasiadis said:
“McConnell Golf is thrilled to welcome Underdog Sports as our official sports betting partner. Underdog is the fastest growing fantasy sports company ever – that is impressive.”
“This partnership was conceived with fans in mind. We’re looking forward to working with McConnell Golf to bring people together to experience their premier club properties,” added Levine.
Underdog Sports ventures into new territories for expansion
Underdog Sports has built a reputation primarily in fantasy sports, yet its delving into sports betting comes as a logical progression. With a presence in fantasy operations spanning 33 states and extending into Canada, Underdog is leveraging its widespread popularity to tap into the lucrative sports betting arena.
“We too believe in thinking differently and challenging the status quo, and there is a lot of star power behind the Underdog Fantasy app,” said Anastasiadis. “I truly believe we found the right partner.
Demonstrating a keen interest in expanding its reach, the company has set its sights on the burgeoning sports betting markets in Colorado and Ohio. In late 2022, the Ohio Casino Control Commission issued Underdog Sports an operator’s license.
At 10 a.m. EST on Jan. 24, 2024, the North Carolina State Commission meeting is slated to convene, during which there is a possibility that they will announce the official start date.
