Caesars Entertainment Inc. and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have cemented their existing relationship by agreeing to team up for online sports betting in North Carolina, the two companies announced today.
The sports betting operator Caesars will offer Caesars online Sportsbook in NC via a license agreement procured through the Cherokee tribal nation.
Caesars has deals in place to operate retail sportsbooks at two Harrah’s casinos in the state: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
Caesars Sportsbook NC to launch in less than two months
North Carolina mobile sports betting will launch on March 11, according to the state regulatory body. Caesars Sportsbook NC should go live on or soon after launch. As a result, Caesars Sportsbook should debut in time for both the ACC Tournament and March Madness, which will begin the week of March 18.
By law, North Carolina can issue up to 13 sports betting licenses, but they must be attached to in-state sports organizations, sporting venues, or tribal nations that have existing gaming license rights in the state. At least eight of the potential licenses have been accounted for.
Caesars and other sportsbooks have yet to announce their official North Carolina sports betting promos. The North Carolina Lottery Commission has stated that consumers can begin registering and making deposits starting March 1.
Caesars and the Cherokee have long history in North Carolina
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has been in business with Caesars for more than two decades through its casinos.
“We are excited for this new venture with Caesars Entertainment and the enhancements it provides to our Tribal enterprise,” Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Michell Hicks said in a press release announcing the mobile sports betting deal.
Caesars touts itself as “the largest casino-entertainment Company in the U.S.,” a claim that has merit. The company has casino/resort properties in more than a dozen states, and Caesars Sportsbook is operating in more than 20 states. The Caesars Rewards loyalty program is one of the most popular in the industry.
North Carolina online sportsbooks and their partners
The NC Lottery Commission and its sports betting committee have yet to formally award licenses, but it’s expected that these sportsbooks will be angling to launch on March 11:
– Bet365 (partnering with the Charlotte Hornets).
– BetMGM (partnering with Charlotte Motor Speedway).
– Caesars Sportsbook (partnering with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians).
– DraftKings (partnering with NASCAR).
– ESPN Bet (partnering with Quail Hollow Club).
– Fanatics Sportsbook (partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes).
– FanDuel (partnering with the PGA Tour).
– Underdog Sportsbook NC (partnering with Sedgefield Country Club).
Consumers must be at least 21 years of age to register and use a sportsbook in North Carolina. Betting is permitted on both professional and select college sports.
Image Credit: Associated Press
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