Bettors in North Carolina may soon find a wider variety of wagering options, thanks to recent developments in the state’s regulatory landscape. On Wednesday, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission’s sports betting committee unanimously approved a proposal for pari-mutuel rule-making, which includes procedures that will help facilitate the implementation of these new wagering options.
Following the approval, the commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf). The commission is also advancing plans to introduce retail sports betting and esports into the state’s expanding online wagering portfolio. This decision opens a 30-day public comment period, running until October 18, where stakeholders can provide feedback and suggest potential changes to the rules. Once this phase concludes, the finalized rules will be up for adoption.
While a clear timeline for the launch of pari-mutuel horse racing wagers has yet to be established, regulators are committed to ensuring the process moves both “efficiently and responsibly.” Sterl Carpenter, the Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance and Sports Betting, said: “As we move to this next phase of implementation, we plan to present our expectations to applicants and licensees to conduct transparent rule-making, accept and review stakeholder feedback, and develop regulations in the same and responsible way we did with sports wagering.”
Pari-Mutuel and Advanced Deposit Wagering
The approved package for pari-mutuel wagering includes 160 rules, many of which are similar to those governing sports wagering, although some feature different wording to account for the unique nature of horse racing. Importantly, North Carolina regulators are working on the development of an advanced deposit wagering (ADW) system, a crucial step for operators planning to offer online horse race betting.
Commission staff are finalizing the technical requirements and standards necessary for this system, with plans to present ADW application forms to the commission for approval in the near future. Carpenter noted that background checks on applying operators will be a key part of this approval process, ensuring that only those in good standing will be permitted to operate in the state.
Retail Sports Betting Progress
Despite the launch of online sports betting in March 2024, North Carolina has yet to see the rollout of retail sportsbooks, which were included in the law passed in June 2023. The N.C. Lottery Commission confirmed earlier this year that no operator had applied for a retail sportsbook license. However, Wednesday’s meeting marked a significant step forward with the approval of compliance procedures for brick-and-mortar locations.
These retail sportsbooks are set to be located at or near sports venues across the state, offering in-person betting opportunities to complement the existing online options. While there is no single launch date for retail sports betting, each operator and venue will need to work closely with the commission to meet several key requirements, including submission of operational documents, obtaining lab certifications, and passing on-site inspections.
Esports and an Expanding Market
In addition to pari-mutuel and retail sports betting, North Carolina is also moving closer to adding esports wagering to its robust market. The sports betting committee voted to approve an esports petition, which will be recommended for adoption at the North Carolina Lottery Commission’s meeting on September 25.
The global esports market is projected to be valued at $7.5 billion by 2031, with revenues for 2024 expected to reach $2.5 billion. This booming industry offers a new opportunity for bettors in North Carolina, who already have access to a diverse range of options, including college player props—an offering that has sparked some controversy.
Since the launch of online sports betting in March, the state’s eight online operators have processed over $2.3 billion in wagers, resulting in approximately $275 million in gaming revenue. The state has benefited from this growing market, collecting an estimated $49.5 million in tax revenue from sports wagering activities.
