NC Lottery Commission’s Sports Betting Committee is Actively Working on Setting Up the Certification Process for Operators

RALEIGH, North Carolina (January 4, 2024) — The state of North Carolina is making progress toward launching legal sports betting, though a specific date has not been determined yet. The North Carolina Lottery Commission’s sports betting committee is actively working on setting up the certification process for operators. The go-live date for sports betting in the state will depend more on the operators’ readiness than regulatory processes.

The committee met recently to outline a series of activities that sportsbook operators must complete and agree upon once their license is approved. These activities include certification from a testing laboratory, geolocation testing, demonstration of betting apps and sites, submission and approval of internal controls, among other qualifications.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission’s sports betting committee is actively working on setting up the certification process for operators.

Sterl Carpenter, North Carolina Deputy Executive Director of Gaming and Sports Betting, emphasized that the certification of the compliance process will be a crucial factor in determining the launch date for sports betting. The committee is expected to provide updates and recommendations to the N.C. Lottery Commission on January 10, which could potentially offer a clearer timeline for the launch.

A “tiered launch” is anticipated, with in-person wagering at physical sportsbooks tied to eight sports venues likely to start after mobile betting begins. The committee reported receiving 17 operator application requests, with seven sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN BET, and Underdog Fantasy, having completed the process. Additionally, Caesars has signed up as a supplier due to its partnership with two in-state tribal casinos.

The committee also stressed that any operators, suppliers, or providers who didn’t meet the December 27 deadline might face delays in approval before sports betting goes live. The approval process includes requirements for internal controls and the selection of testing laboratories such as Gaming Laboratories International and BMM Testlabs to ensure compliance with necessary operating standards.

SOURCE: LI Contributor / News Services.