North Carolina Sports Betting Misses Super Bowl Deadline, Commission Addresses Next Steps

In a surprising turn of events, North Carolina’s highly anticipated foray into legal sports betting is set to miss the mark for the Super Bowl in February. Despite Governor Roy Cooper signing sports betting into law last June, the latest revelation from the North Carolina Lottery Commission suggests that the intricate process of laying the foundation for this thriving market demands more time than initially expected.

The commission, in a recent meeting, delivered the disheartening news that the much-anticipated launch won’t align with the Super Bowl’s kickoff on February 11. The legal mobile sports betting landscape in North Carolina, as per state law, must spring to life between January 8 and mid-June, a timeline that has increasingly posed challenges.

Commission Chairman Ripley Rand candidly acknowledged the concerns surrounding the readiness of sports betting operations in time for the Super Bowl, stating, “It’s clear, however, with all the work remaining to be done and the timetable set out in state law, that unfortunately won’t be the case.”

Despite this setback, the commission did make substantial strides in its meeting, marking progress toward the eventual launch. During the session, the commission greenlit the application forms for prospective sports betting operators, a significant milestone that charts the path forward. These application forms, anticipated to be available later this week, will serve as the initial step for operators looking to participate in North Carolina’s burgeoning sports betting market.

The looming deadline for the first wave of applications is December 27, a pivotal date that sets the wheels in motion for the comprehensive vetting process. The commission has allotted a 60-day window from that point onward to diligently conduct background checks, scrutinize thousands of pages of supporting information, and pave the regulatory landscape. Commission Chairman Rand emphasized the multifaceted nature of this process, stating, “There are a number of factors in determining what that date will be – the number of applications that we received, the dates that the applications are completed, the dates that the supporting information is submitted.”

Additionally, a meticulous rulemaking process awaits completion to provide clear guidelines for licensees once approvals are granted. Ensuring applicants’ compliance with North Carolina law and regulatory rules through comprehensive background checks adds another layer of complexity.

As North Carolina’s sports betting journey unfolds, the betting public eagerly awaits the announcement of the first bet placed in the Tar Heel State. While the Super Bowl may be just out of reach, the meticulous preparations underway signal a promising future for legal sports betting in North Carolina, solidifying its place in the expanding landscape of regulated gambling across the United States.