Timeline for North Carolina Sports Betting Licenses

On June 14, 2023, North Carolina legalized mobile sports betting by signing House Bill 347 into law. The new law permits North Carolina twelve months to launch its sports betting industry, and as such, online sports wagering must begin no later than June 14, 2024.

However, our North Carolina sports wagering license consultants suspect the Commission to launch online sports betting by January 8, 2024 (i.e. by the college footballs playoff championship game).

Nonetheless, our sports betting consultants in North Carolina suggest you begin preparing for your license application immediately. There are steps you can take now that will improve your chances of obtaining a sports betting license in North Carolina.

Application Process for North Carolina Sports Betting Licenses

The application process for a North Carolina sports betting license will be competitive and require hundreds, if not thousands, of technical narratives describing your plans and ability to operate a responsible business.

For instance, as part of your North Carolina interactive sports wagering license application,  you are required to submit the documents outlined below.

Required Documentation for an Interactive Sports Wagering License Application

• Business plan, including the range of contemplated types and modes of sports wagering.
• Measures to address age and identity verification and geolocation requirements.
• Internal controls that will prevent ineligible persons from participating in sports wagering.
• Documented history of working to prevent compulsive gambling, including training programs for its employees.
• Information security program detailing information security governance and the designation of a chief security officer or equivalent.
• Proposed sports wagering brand that the applicant plans to hold out to the public displaying its sports wagering platform.
• Personal information concerning the applicant’s key persons.
• Documented history of job creation in North Carolina and a plan for continued job creation in North Carolina
• Documented history of capital investment in North Carolina and a plan for continued capital investment in North Carolina.
• Documented history of partnership with a sports facility, if any, and the intentions of that partnership to offer the placement of sports wagers at a place of public accommodation.
• Any other information the Commission may deem necessary.

In addition to the above documents, you must also submit fingerprints for a background investigation, including credit history check, a tax record check, and a criminal history record check. You must also prove your financial integrity by describing your ability to maintain a reserve of at least $500,000 to cover outstanding liabilities for sports wagers. Lastly, you will have to pay a partially non-refundable license fee as part of your application (discussed in the next tab).

Seems like a lot? Schedule a call with our North Carolina sports wagering consultants to answer all your questions.

Factors Your Application will be Score On

The Commission will score you North Carolina sports betting license application on several factors, including:

• Contents of your Application;
• Past experience, financial viability, compliance with applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions, and success with sports wagering operations in other jurisdictions;
• Ability to meet duties of an interactive sports wagering operator;
• Amount of gross wagering revenue and associated tax revenue that an applicant is projected to generate;
• Job creating in conjunction with sports wagering in North Carolina
• Capital investments in North Carolina, and the timing of such capital investments;
• Plans to open and operate a place of public accommodation in accordance with this Article; and
• Any other factors the Commission deems relevant.

Similarly, the Commission will deny you a North Carolina sports betting license for any of the reasons below.

Grounds for Denial

The commission will deny you a North Carolina sports betting license if the applicant or any key person:

• Is unable to satisfy the requirements under this Article.
• Is not of good character, honesty, or integrity.
• Prior activities, criminal record, reputation, or associations indicate any of the following:
  • A potential threat to the public interest.
  • The potential to impede the regulation of sports wagering.
  • The potential of promoting unfair or illegal activities in the conduct of sports wagering.
• Knowingly makes a false statement of material fact or deliberately fails to disclose information requested by the Commission.
• Knowingly fails to comply with the provisions of this Article or any requirements of the Commission.
• Was convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, or any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust within the 10 years prior to the submission date of the application.
• Had a license, certification, or registration to conduct sports wagering, other forms of gambling activity, or a covered service issued by any other jurisdiction revoked, suspended, or denied.
• Has defaulted on any obligation or debt owed to this State.

Work with our North Carolina sports betting consultants to ensure your application receives a top score that will win you a license.

License Fees

As part of your sports betting license application in North Carolina, you must pay a partially non-refundable fee. If your license application is denied, you will receive a 5% refund of the fee.

Each license type has a unique fee that is due when you submit your application:

• Interactive Sports Wagering License: $1,000,000
• Service Provider License: $50,000
• Sports Wagering Supplier License: $30,000

Below is a link to the laws and regulations governing the North Carolina sports betting industry:

• House Bill 347
• Proposed Rules (first set)

The Commission is currently accepting public comments on the proposed rules and will create additional rules and regulations within the coming months. Our North Carolina sports betting consultants will update this page once they new rules are published.

You will also want to familiarize yourself with the governing body that will oversee North Carolina’s sports betting program: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission (“Commission”).

The commission is responsible for licensing and regulating sports betting businesses in North Carolina. As such, you should check their website for information and updates.

While its not a requirement, the Commission will favorably score North Carolina sports betting license applicants who plan to offer retail sport betting at a sports facility.

Please refer to this article for a list of North Carolina sports facilities for sports betting.

So are you allowed to sell or buy a North Carolina sports wagering license or business? In short, yes, you are allowed to transfer your license, as long as your obtain approval from the Commission.

The Commission will deny you a North Carolina sports betting business license if any key person on your team was convicted of:

• a felony,
• a crime of moral turpitude, or
• any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust within the 10 years prior to the submission date of the application.