Charlotte Hornets, bet365 Agree to First North Carolina Sports Betting Partnership

• The Charlotte Hornets and bet365 have agreed to a sports betting partnership in North Carolina
• bet365 will now have access in the state when it launches sports betting in 2024
• As part of the deal, bet365 will also have signage and branding in the Hornets’ arena

The Charlotte Hornets and bet365 have agreed to a historic partnership in North Carolina.

The NBA franchise and sports betting operator have agreed to the first sports betting deal in North Carolina ahead of the state’s sports betting launch in 2024. The exclusive partnership will name bet365 as the “Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the Charlotte Hornets.”

The bill legalizing North Carolina sports betting apps was amended during the state’s budgetary process to require each potential sports betting operator reach a deal with a North Carolina professional sports franchise, arena, NASCAR track, or PGA tour course to be eligible to apply for a sports betting license.

NC Betting Apps for March Launch

• DraftKings North Carolina
• FanDuel North Carolina
• bet365 North Carolina
• ESPN Bet North Carolina
• BetMGM North Carolina
• Caesars North Carolina

bet365’s Fifth Professional Sports Partnership

The deal with the Charlotte Hornets is bet365’s fifth with a U.S. sports team. The sports betting operator currently has deals with the Washington Commanders, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, and San Antonio Spurs.

“Everyone at bet365 is thrilled to partner with the Hornets, as we launch our iconic sports betting brand in North Carolina. The Hornets’ rich and dynamic history is deep rooted in the Queen City community, and we’re abuzz to become part of their exciting future,” said a bet365 spokesperson.

Under the bill signed by Gov. Roy Cooper (D) on June 14, 2023, North Carolina will allow 12 online sports betting licenses and allows brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at eight “places of public accommodation” throughout the state.

However, during the state’s budget process, the bill was amended to require potential sports betting operators to have a “written designation agreement,” or partnership, with a professional sports team, sports facility, NASCAR track, or PGA Tour golf course to be considered.

This is the first partnership to be announced between a North Carolina professional sports team and sports betting operator.

“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.”

As part of the partnership, bet365 will receive branding and signage at Spectrum Center, on hornets.com, Hornets social media platforms, and the Hornets app. Some in-arena signage, including the placement of the bet365 logo on the Spectrum Center courtside baseline aprons, will be evident during tonight’s Hornets NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

North Carolina Sports Betting Timeline

North Carolina sports betting can launch as early as Jan. 8, 2024, or as late as June 15. However, during this week’s North Carolina Sports Betting Committee meeting, several members confirmed that sports betting will not launch on the Jan. 8, 2024, date.

“Jan. 8 is the first date we can launch sports betting. But that will not, it probably won’t be the date that betting is authorized, considering everything we still have to do,” Committee member Ripley Rand said.

Committee Member Cari Boyce said the only way North  Carolina could potentially launch sports betting on Jan. 8 is if the committee started to meet every day, as opposed to the weekly meetings it holds now.

The commission must still draft sports betting rules and regulation, begin accepting sports betting license applications, and award those licenses before it can begin to formulate a launch date.

To help educate North Carolina residents on the timeline, licensing, and where sports betting revenue is distributed, the commission has published a new website to help provide information for interested individuals.