Governor Sets March Madness as North Carolina Online Sports Betting Launch Goal

• Gov. Roy Cooper recently said the goal is to launch online sports betting by March Madness basketball tournament
• Cooper appeared on the Ovies + Giglio Show to discuss the launch
• The North Carolina Lottery Commission noted it would likely be able to launch sports betting prior to the June 15 deadline

Using NC sportsbook apps for betting on the March Madness basketball tournament could be in North Carolina’s future.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D), appearing on the Ovies + Giglio Show, discussed North Carolina’s sports betting future and publicly stated that his goal is to have sports betting launched in the state prior to the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament.

The first-four round of the tournament will begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Betting by March?

The North Carolina Lottery Commission has been tight lipped about any potential sports betting launch as it moves to approve the necessary rules and regulations to get it off the ground. By regulatory statute, the state has until June 15 to launch sports betting.

Gov. Cooper appeared on the Ovies + Giglio Show and publicly commented as to when he would like the state to launch online sports betting.

“The goal is to get it out there before March Madness. No guarantee that that’s the case, but that is the goal,” Cooper told the sports talk hosts.

Missed this recent appearance from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on the @giglio_OG and @joeovies show.

Says goal is to have North Carolina online sports betting launched before March Madness tournament.

"No guarantee that that's the case, but I think that is the goal." https://t.co/0y7jNBJUmV

— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) December 26, 2023

The rules must first be approved, the state needs to ensure it receives correct amount of revenue, and everyone must be licensed and comply with the law before sports betting can launch.

“They’re working on it as fast as they can. I had them all in the room over there the other day pushing them saying we’ve got to get this done,” Cooper said.

Brian Murphy of WRAL was the first to report that the North Carolina Lottery Commission believes sports betting can launch prior to the June 15 deadline if continues at its current progress. New users will be able to sign-up using the DraftKings North Carolina promo, FanDuel NC promo and a stellar BetMGM North Carolina bonus code.

Checked with @nclottery after Gov. Cooper's sports betting comments to @giglio_OG @joeovies: "If progress continues at the pace it is now, an earlier start date than June 15 should be achievable, as the governor indicated. North Carolinians love basketball season and are looking…

— Brian Murphy (@murphsturph) December 21, 2023

Four Sports Betting Partnerships So Far

A Fanatics Betting and Gaming spokesperson recently confirmed it has partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes to gain market access in the state. The Sports Business Journal was the first to report on the FanDuel partnership with the PGA Tour.

With FanDuel and Fanatics Betting and Gaming most recently agreeing to their respective partnerships, four sports betting operators have now gained market access into North Carolina.

PENN Entertainment announced a long-term strategic partnership earlier this month with Quail Hollow Club and the Wells Fargo Championship. The multi-faceted partnership with Quail Hollow Club allows ESPN BET in North Carolina to become the official betting operator of the Wells Fargo Championship, a PGA Tour Signature Event held in Charlotte. As the event’s official sports betting operator, ESPN BET gains marketing access to the event, including opportunities to engage and activate golf fans on-site during the tournament.

The Charlotte Hornets and bet365 NC sportsbook agreed to the first sports betting partnership in North Carolina in late November. 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.

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.

Additional partnerships are expected to be announced as the deadline for sports betting applications is set for Wednesday, Dec. 27.