During a public meeting on Wednesday, the Sports Betting Committee of the North Carolina Lottery Commission made progress towards the opening of retail sports betting in the state.
The Committee presented a summary of the necessary certificate of compliance for opening commercial retail sports betting facilities, signaling that retail sportsbooks may soon become a reality.
While no operators have yet applied for approval, the committee laid out clear guidelines for how facilities can get started.
Retail sports betting compliance process outlined
Online sports betting in North Carolina went live in March, but retail operations have yet to materialize.
That is now changing. The committee outlined a detailed compliance process for operators looking to launch retail sports betting in the state. These rules apply specifically to “permanent places of accommodation,” meaning that facilities that meet the requirements will be able to house permanent sportsbooks.
To open a permanent facility, operators must follow a rigorous process that includes collaborating with the commission’s staff, submitting operational documents, obtaining lab certification, and undergoing on-site inspections.
North Carolina law mandates that sports betting operators have a written agreement with a professional sports facility, organization, or tribe. This agreement grants them permission to operate online and allows the operator exclusive rights to build a retail sportsbook at or near the venue. Professional sports organizations without a permanent facility for a sportsbook will have the option to open temporary on-site betting facilities for up to five days before and after a professional sporting event.
Retail sports betting has been delayed since North Carolina launched online sports betting in March. So far, eight online sportsbooks have entered the market, but none have applied for retail sportsbook operations.
Under the approved compliance process, retail sports betting will not have a single launch date. Each operator will have a unique timeline based on how quickly they fulfill the state’s requirements.
This latest push by the committee to approve compliance rules marks a major step forward, with the full commission set to review the rules next week.
Approval of esports guidance
The committee also approved guidance on eSports wagering in addition to retail sports betting. Although eSports betting is legal in the state, no events or organizations are in the North Carolina Sports Wagering Catalog.
Sterl Carpenter, the deputy director of sports betting, previously explained that the delay is due to operators needing to submit petitions detailing which eSports leagues they wish to offer.
In the world of betting, eSports betting differs from traditional sports wagering because it relies on major competitions rather than continuous games like soccer or baseball. However, major players in the U.S. sports betting market, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars, are expected to introduce eSports betting options once the activity becomes more prominent in North Carolina’s catalog.
Pari-Mutuel wagering rules set for public review
Pari-mutuel wagering, another legal form of gambling in North Carolina, also took a step forward. The commission introduced a new set of rules to govern this form of betting and announced a public review period for the regulations. Citizens have until October 18 to submit comments, and a public session will be held on October 8 at the commission’s headquarters in Raleigh for those interested in providing input.
While pari-mutuel wagering has not yet launched in North Carolina, introducing these rules brings it closer to becoming an option for bettors. However, while it does clarify the pathway to licensure, it doesn’t address the largest hurdle facing the North Carolina horse race betting industry: sky-high licensing costs.
The commission is also developing an advanced deposit wagering system to facilitate operators’ ability to accept wagers.
The sports betting committee approved the retail sports betting compliance measures, the eSports guidance and the pari-mutuel preliminary rules.
All of the measures will now go before the full commission for approval next week.
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