The North Carolina Lottery Commission is bringing on a well-known gaming industry consulting firm to help roll out NC sports betting. On Thursday, the commission announced Gaming Laboratories International will help lottery officials in rule development, licensing, risk control and auditing.
“The hiring of GLI is the commission’s latest step as it continues moving forward with the substantial efforts required to responsibly license and regulate sports betting, horse racing, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing,” the commission said in a statement.
North Carolina joins Massachusetts, Vermont and Kentucky as states that have recently called upon GLI’s expertise in sports betting. Massachusetts launched earlier this year, and Kentucky will roll out retail and mobile sports betting in September.
NC Sports Betting To Start Next Year
In June, Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 to legalize NC sports betting apps across the Tar Heel State. It’s currently allowed only in casino sportsbooks on tribal lands. The law calls on the Lottery Commission to approve up to 12 online operators for licensure. It also provides opportunities for the state’s major professional sports teams and other sports entities to partner with operators for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
HB 347 states sports betting must start in North Carolina by June 14, 2024. However, it cannot start before Jan. 8, 2024. Lottery officials have been working on a rollout plan for sports betting since the law took effect. That includes hiring former Massachusetts Gaming Commission official Sterl Carpenter as the deputy executive director for sports wagering.
While the commission is also working on a plan to launch online lottery games in the state, it has reiterated its commitment to getting sports betting up “in an effective and appropriate fashion as soon as possible.” No operators are allowed to submit applications just yet. However, the lottery is also taking steps toward doing that.
The lottery also announced Thursday it’s seeking bids for an enterprise regulatory system that will allow interested operators to submit license applications online and allow those approved to manage requirements for maintaining their license. Proposals are due next Wednesday.
