North Carolina has made one of its first hires to help it launch NC sports betting statewide.
Sterl Carpenter is leaving the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to become the deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting for the North Carolina Lottery Commission. The news was announced during Thursday’s MGC meeting.
Carpenter started working in the Massachusetts regulator’s office in May 2015, according to his LinkedIn page, and he has served as the sports wagering operations manager for the last six months. Sports betting launched in the Bay State on Jan. 31.
Before joining the MGC, he worked at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut for 23 years, including management and supervisory roles for the last 13. Now, he will play a major role in determining regulations for North Carolina sportsbook promos, app regulations, prohibited bets and leagues, and much more.
“I’d like to thank the MGC for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow in the gaming industry over the past eight years,” he said at Thursday’s meeting. “So many great people have helped me to continue to learn and grow my knowledge in the regulatory side of the business.”
Carpenter starts his new position officially on Wednesday. MGC Sports Wagering Division Director Bruce Band said Thursday would be one of the last meetings Carpenter will attend. Still, commissioners took the opportunity to wish him well.
“You caught the eye of another state,” Massachusetts Gaming Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said. “That’s a huge compliment to you and something that I think makes all of us really proud here in Massachusetts. Other states are watching our progress, and they noticed what you were doing. And now you have a great opportunity.”
Mark Michalko, the lottery’s executive director, said they chose Carpenter after conducting an “extensive search” for the new role.
“Carpenter has experience in all aspects of regulations and licensing as well as compliance,” he said. “We’re pleased to have someone with Carpenter’s experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state.”
Job Duties May Already Be Expanding
According to a job description posted by the North Carolina Lottery on LinkedIn, the deputy executive director’s responsibilities will include establishing the state’s commercial sports betting program. That position also will develop the licensing guidelines and the policies and compliance measures needed to regulate sports betting.
The lottery commission also wants the deputy executive director to build out an operation that could “accommodate potential expansion” of its gaming responsibilities.
There was no mention of casino licensing in the job description, but in recent weeks, state lawmakers have begun discussing a bill to legalize casino gaming. Draft legislation reviewed by BetCarolina.com shows the lottery commission would also oversee the licensing and regulatory processes for them.
About North Carolina’s Sports Betting Law
Unlike Kentucky, which is seeking to launch sports betting on Sept. 7, North Carolina is taking a more deliberate approach to its implementation.
The state’s sports betting law indicates the lottery commission can start work on developing rules and policies and accept license applications, but any operators awarded licenses cannot take bets before Jan. 8, 2024. The state will have from that date to June 14, 2024, to launch sports betting. We have the latest information on all the best North Carolina betting apps expected to launch.
The commission can approve up to 12 operators for online licenses. North Carolina’s law encourages sports betting applicants to partner with in-state major league franchises and venues. Eight facilities that house major professional teams or hold professional golf or auto racing events will also be eligible to host a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
Stay with BetCarolina for the latest news on NC sports betting, including promos with operators that will be licensed in the state, such as the Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina promo code.
