North Carolina sports enthusiasts holding out hope to place legal bets in time for the Super Bowl are facing disappointment, as state lottery officials announced that the kickoff for legal online sports betting will not be ready for the big game. Despite efforts to expedite the approval process, the Lottery Commission Chairman, Ripley Rand, confirmed during a public meeting this week that the requisite groundwork would not be completed in time.
The commission, overseeing the nascent sports betting landscape, previously set a deadline of December 27 for sportsbook operators to submit their applications. However, an official launch date for these virtual betting platforms remains elusive. Rand temperate expectations by detailing the robust 60- to 90-day evaluation phase necessary to thoroughly vet companies and personnel, pushing any potential betting operations to late February at the earliest.
North Carolina’s journey toward sports betting legalization reached a milestone last year, mandating the Lottery Commission to introduce a regulated sports betting framework. With an initial aspiration to have it operational by January 8, 2024, coinciding with the college football national championship, regulators have now conceded that target will not be met, with the revised timeline extending beyond the Super Bowl on February 11 and no later than June 15.
Despite the setback, preparations are underway. The commission has begun accepting applications from hopeful operators, based on stringent standards to ensure adherence to state law. The state’s official gaming site is expected to launch an application portal, streamlining the submission process.
Looking toward the future, sports betting will eventually find its home in North Carolina. The legislation opens doors to in-venue sportsbooks at prominent sports facilities including the Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center. Meanwhile, temporary sportsbooks could emerge at select event venues like Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Regulators, in the interim, are laser-focused on navigating the regulatory maze. Rand promised a go-live date announcement post-application reviews and once critical milestones, such as provisional licenses and equipment certifications, have been achieved.
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