North Carolina's proposed state budget, which will likely be voted on this week, includes provisions that would impact the state's mobile sports betting law.'
Previous legislation allows for up to 12 mobile sports betting operators to go live in the Tar Heel State in the first half of 2024. While the projected launch timeline hasn't been altered, the budget takes out language allowing for the 12 mobile operators, replacing it with language that says the North Carolina Lottery Commission “shall only license interactive sports wagering operators who have a written designation agreement in accordance with G.S. 18C-905.” The news was first reported by WRAL.
Those designated candidates for licensure include professional sports teams, the owner or operator of a motorsports facility, a professional golf tournament venue, a sports governing body that annually sanctions more than one NASCAR national touring race, and a sports governing body that annually sanctions more than one professional golf tournament.'
Essentially, the proposed language gives North Carolina's professional sports franchises and venues power in choosing the operators who will be allowed to launch in the state. Under the proposed legislative change, each franchise or venue can only partner with one mobile operator.'