Bet365 has been aggressively entering into the United States sports betting market. They became the first operator to enter North Carolina on Friday, partnering with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team.
While the agreement begins immediately, the North Carolina sports betting industry is still going through the legalization process. North Carolina sports betting apps will be legal on March 11, 2024, and people can start placing wagers before the March Madness tournament tips off.
bet365 has partnered with other sports franchises in the US already. Current partnerships are also in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. They also spread to other top sports leagues, including the Colorado Rockies in the MLB and Washington Commanders in the NFL.
Hornets Find the Perfect Sports Betting Operator
The Hornets were looking to find a North Carolina sports betting partner as soon as it was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper. They determined that bet365 was the best fit for them, according to a press release:
“We are excited to announce this partnership with bet365,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment Chief Revenue Officer Jacob Gallagher. “Since the day Governor Cooper signed sports wagering into law at Spectrum Center in June, we sought a partner that would help us provide our fans with new, additional opportunities to engage with their favorite sports teams. We are confident that bet365 is a great fit with our organization and can help us do that.”
Part of the deal between bet365 and the Hornets will feature branding at the Spectrum Center arena. This will also spread across all Hornets platforms, including the home page, mobile app, and various broadcasts. Some of this branding will begin effective immediately. A physical sportsbook will also be at the Spectrum Center.
North Carolina Prepares for Sports Betting
While sports betting will be legal in North Carolina near the turn of the new year, people won’t be able to place bets just yet. Plenty of regulation, licensing, and other approval processes must be completed by the time betting is ready. The law requires it to be up and running by the middle of June next year.
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