Legalized sports betting in NC begins Monday. Odds are, it will be a busy day
Carolina Hurricanes fans will notice a new look in PNC Arena at Canes’ home games..
There will be information stands in the concourse sponsored by Fanatics Betting and Gaming, showing fans how to sign up for the Fanatics app and start betting on their favorite team — or any favorite team. No one will be accepting bets at the booths, but fans can receive all the info about how to get started.
Legalized online gambling in North Carolina begins Monday at noon, with a number of betting operators and options. Odds are, there will be a lot of action from the jump with the men’s ACC Tournament beginning Tuesday and the Canes playing big games against the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers at PNC Arena this coming week.
Many in the state have long awaited the opportunity to make a legal bet without having to go to another state — Virginia, for example — to do it. Gov. Roy Cooper signed a sports wagering bill into law in June 2023.
The Hurricanes and Fanatics, the team’s official sports betting partner, will hold an event Monday at 5 p.m. at the Backyard Bistro to celebrate the launch of legal sports betting in the state.
The Canes were listed by some of the sportsbooks at +1200 to win the 2024 Stanley Cup on Friday morning after adding forward Jake Guentzel in a Thursday night trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On Friday, they dealt for forward Evgeny Kuztnetsov in a trade with the Washington Capitals. Some betting services had the Canes at +900 by Saturday.
Legalized sports betting in NC FAQ
When can you make your first bet?
Legalized gambling begins at noon Monday, March 11.
How old do you have to be to bet?
The legal betting age is 21 and older.
Who are the licensed operators in the state (with pro affiliation)?
▪ bet 365 NC — Charlotte Hornets
▪ BetMGM NC — Charlotte Motor Speedway.
▪ Caesars Sportsbook — Tribal Casino Gaming, Cherokee.
▪ DraftKings NC — NASCAR
▪ Fanatics Betting and Gaming — Carolina Hurricanes
▪ FanDuel NC — PGA Tour
▪ ESPN BET NC — Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte
▪ Underdog Sports — McConnell Golf, Raleigh.
Can you bet on college sports?
You can in North Carolina. Some states, including Virginia, do not allow it, but North Carolina will. There will be no betting on youth sports.
Can you bet in-person?
Not yet, but it’s coming. For now, it’s online gambling.
PNC Arena and WakeMed Soccer Park are among the eight facilities that will be eligible to have sportsbooks.
The others: Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium and the Spectrum Center; Charlotte Motor Speedway; North Wilkesboro Speedway; Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club; and Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.
How can you bet?
The first step is to set up an account with one of the licensed operators through their apps and fund an account. The sportsbooks have been offering bonus bets for those who have preregistered.
How much money will be raised for the state?
State estimates say that with an 18% tax rate, about $22 million for fiscal year 2023-24 and more than $106 million by 2027-28
Where will the money go?
Provisions for the use of revenue generated for the state has $2 million a year used for gambling addiction and treatment services. Another $1 million will go to buy youth sports equipment.
In addition, $300,000 in grants will go to help fund the athletic departments at seven state schools.
Other funds will be distributed to the 13 historically black college and universities to help fund their athletic departments, and to try and bring major sporting events to the state.
