North Carolina’s tribal operators legalized retail sports betting in July 2019. Then, last June, state lawmakers legalized online sports betting as well, with the launch of the activity expected next month. So far, there are eight online sports betting operators that are expected to roll out their services with the opening of the market in North Carolina in March.
The list includes industry giants, DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as BetMGM, bet365 and Caesars Sportsbook. Moreover, Underdog Sports, Fanatics Sportsbook and ESPN Bet are also planning to launch their services with the opening of the legal mobile betting market next month. According to a recent report, the number of mobile sportsbooks is expected to grow further with the addition of another operator.
As announced by SportsHandle, Catawba Two Kings Casino, the premium gaming and betting venue in Kings Mountain, is also anticipating entering the mobile sports betting vertical. The venue is one of three that currently offer retail sports betting. The other two are Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee as well as Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy.
The Casino Is Expected to Select a Partner Soon
Reportedly, Catawba Two Kings Casino is currently exploring options for teaming up with a mobile betting partner. The venue would need to apply for a license with the North Carolina gambling regulator, the NC State Lottery Commission, but that can happen once it has selected a suitable betting partner.
Given that Catawba Two Kings Casino is in the process of selecting a betting partner, it is uncertain if the venue would be able to go through the licensing and be ready for the launch of mobile betting in the state. According to Tylee Tracer-Anderson, Catawba Indian Nation’s director of communications, the venue is currently assessing different options for a mobile sports betting operator to team up with. “We hope to have one chosen within the next few months and are looking forward to launching our new gaming venture,” he added.
Currently, 38 states along with DC offer some form of legal sports betting. The statewide expansion of the activity started back in 2018 after the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA.