Caesars Entertainment, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has launched a sportsbook, making it the first operator to do so in North Carolina, where online sports betting is permitted. On March 11, North Carolina will finally legalize sports betting statewide. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Caesars’s agreement with the tribe, however, have allowed the operator to launch earlier than this date.
Consequently, betting has been made possible for enthusiasts at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, both of which are operated by the Cherokee tribe. Betting is also authorized on tribal territory owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
With next week’s market debut, Caesars’ online sports betting product will be expanded to cover all of North Carolina. The operator has a long history of operating brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in the state, and their internet service is just a natural extension of that as the popularity of online sports betting sites continues to soar, attracting both novice and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
President of Caesars Digital Eric Hession expressed gratitude to the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the North Carolina State Lottery Commission and its Sports Betting Committee from the outset for their assistance in assembling and releasing the application at this early stage.
Michell Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, also congratulated the launch, reiterating that their relationship with Caesars Entertainment has grown in significance over time. The stakeholders involved in this legislative initiative are enthusiastic about the potential of mobile sports betting to introduce North Carolina sports enthusiasts to unprecedented experiences.
North Carolina is extensively prepared and has set dates for entering the full market. This followed Governor Roy Cooper signing Senate House Bill 347 in June 2023, allowing sports betting. These rules required public announcement by January 8, 2024, and wagering before June 14, 2024.
Just last month, North Carolina achieved the regulatory requirement, and operators will begin accepting bets much in advance of the June date. The deadline for operators to submit their internal controls in preparation for launch was likewise set for January 26.
Last week, North Carolina confirmed its first wave of licenses, including some big-hitters. DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Bet365, Underdog, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet received interactive sports wagering licenses from the NC State Lottery Commission.
Operators must partner with a North Carolina sports team, league, or venue to offer sports betting. DraftKings and BetMGM partner with Nascar and Charlotte Motor Speedway. After signing a PGA Tour arrangement, ESPN Bet is the official betting operator of the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina. In addition, FanDuel is collaborating with the PGA Tour to start in North Carolina. Fanatics Betting and Gaming works with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Bet365 has partnered with the Charlotte Hornets, and Underdog’s fantasy sports market is booming thanks to McConnell Golf.
In addition to the operator licenses, the sports wagering supplier licenses have also been approved. Sportradar, SBTech, and GeoComply are among the successful applicants.
