North Carolina Lottery Sets Oct. 27 Meeting For Sports Betting Rules

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission will be hosting a meeting on Friday, Oct. 27 at 9:00 a.m. This public meeting will be concerning the presented North Carolina sports betting rules. The NCLC will be discussing the presented rules for the first time. While the meeting will not be live-streamed, a transcript will be provided for public record. This moves the commission one step closer to the launch of sportsbooks in North Carolina.

Sports Betting Rules Examined

The rules that will be discussed include definitions of wagering terms. Additionally, the application process will be a primary focus for this first meeting. Residents will be able to give an oral presentation, but they must register at least one day before the meeting. The comments from this meeting will be recorded and reviewed for final confirmation of the rules and regulations.

One of the rules includes a ban on pick’em style games on fantasy sports apps, which follows an industry trend. This decision will likely be discussed during this first meeting on Friday.

Next Steps For NC Sportsbooks Launch

The deadline for public comment will be Nov. 1, 2023. After that, the rules can be finalized, barring any necessary changes. While lawmakers are targeting a launch in the first half of 2024, North Carolina sportsbooks must be live by June 2024 at the latest.

A target for a launch by the Super Bowl was an early push. However, that timeframe seems unlikely with how NC is progressing. Furthermore, lawmakers have not announced an official launch date, only that it will be live before the June deadline.

A more realistic launch window would be in time for the March Madness Tournament. Many sports betting markets attempt to be live in time for major sporting events like the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball events. With the football season already underway and the Super Bowl being an unlikely launch window, March Madness is the next major event.

North Carolina lawmakers do not want to miss out on the potential sports betting revenue from the market.