North Carolina Lottery Commission Details Key Requirements for Sports Betting Rollout

North Carolina is on the cusp of launching legal sports betting within its borders to the excitement of enthusiastic bettors.

However, an exact launch date remains undisclosed, as the focus lies on the preparatory steps being set by the state’s regulatory body and the prerequisites for potential operators.

To that effect, the North Carolina Lottery Commission’s Sports Betting Advisory Committee had its first meeting of the year on Thursday. During the session, the regulators shed some details on the Tar Heel State’s processes ahead of its highly anticipated sports betting launch.

The committee outlined a set of requirements that aspiring sportsbook operators must fulfill post-licensing to offer wagering services in the state.

According to Sterl Carpenter, North Carolina’s Deputy Executive Director for Gaming and Sports Betting, the operators’ readiness post-licensing is pivotal for its entry into the market.

“This means that an operator’s ability to get to market is in its own hands once it has a license,” Carpenter said.

“With many of the established operator applicants, these requirements will already be familiar. North Carolina is in step with its peers.

So looking at the big picture, the certification of the compliance process will be a key to the go-live date for sports betting.”

The outlined prerequisites encompass various essential certifications and procedural verifications. These include certification from a recognized testing laboratory, meticulous geolocation testing, betting apps and site demonstrations, and adherence to stringent internal control protocols, among other criteria.

NC Details on Technical Requirements

The committee outlined a mandatory technical guideline for operators seeking to engage in sports betting within North Carolina.

They emphasized the critical role of third-party testing firms in ensuring compliance with requisite standards for sportsbooks, suppliers, and providers. According to its report, the committee looks to recommend Gaming Laboratories International and BMM Testlabs to the commission for approval.

The committee also advocated for internal control requirements, endorsing a process mandating operators to submit their proposed internal controls for review and approval.

NC Mobile Sports Betting Set to Launch Ahead of In-Person Wagering

Previously, the commission approved a second set of regulations, eliminating the restriction that barred sports betting operators from acquiring naming rights at sports venues.

Another implemented regulation permits operators to partner with marketing affiliates, imposing a stringent clause barring them from receiving any revenue directly linked to bets made by referred users.

At the recent meeting, the committee unveiled fresh plans for a tiered launch strategy. It was disclosed that in-person wagering at physical sportsbook locations tied to eight sports venues will only begin after the commencement of mobile sports betting.

Carpenter characterized this phase strategy as customary across various states, emphasizing North Carolina’s alignment with industry standards.

NC Confirms 17 Operator Application Requests Were Received

Regarding operator applications, the committee disclosed that 17 entities have applied for licenses. Among these, only seven sportsbooksFanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN BET, and Underdog Fantasy — have successfully completed the required processes.

Also, Caesars, who already has a partnership with two in-state tribal casinos, applied to participate as a supplier.

The committee also shared that it had received 17 service provider requests and 41 supplier applications.

Carpenter cautioned that entities who failed to meet the Dec. 27 deadline might encounter delays in approval. This, he said, could potentially affect their participation when sports betting goes live.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission is set to review the recommendations made by the committee on Jan. 10. Thereafter, a clearer timeline for the launch could be established.

About the Author
Tebearau Egbe

Tebearau Egbe

Tebearau Egbe is a seasoned gambling writer with more than four years of experience. Armed with a Masters degree in philosophy, Egbe possesses a unique ability to dissect complex industry developments, distilling them into insightful narratives that captivate readers.

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