The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is starting its work to bring legal online sports betting sites to the Tar Heel State.
Under the recently passed and signed House Bill 347, the lottery commission will oversee the incoming version of North Carolina sports betting.
The commission announced Friday that it has begun planning and working to implement the new law, starting with a designated web page the public can consult for updates about the process.
“Many people want to know when North Carolina will begin permitting legal sports betting,” said Ripley Rand, chair of the commission, in a press release. “The Commission and staff take these responsibilities seriously and are committed to ensuring the job is done in a complete, professional, transparent, and timely manner. We will keep the public up to date about when these programs will launch.”
Looking for a special someone (to regulate sports betting)
H.B. 347 was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on June 14, which gives the lottery commission a window from Jan. 8, 2024, to June 14, 2024, to launch online wagering.
North Carolina already has legal sports betting at three tribal casinos. However, the new landscape for sports betting in the state could include as many as 12 operators of mobile sites and apps and retail sportsbooks at or near professional sports venues.
The lottery commission said Friday it started a national search for “an experienced senior leader” to run its new programs for wagering on sports and horse racing. The regulator needs to hire additional staff, draft its regulations, and prepare applications and other forms for licensees before it can start accepting bids.
“No timetable outlining expected dates for application submissions and the granting of licenses is available at this time,” the press release noted. “No commission meetings regarding sports betting are scheduled at this time.”
