Caesar's secures NC online sports wagering partnership

Caesars Entertainment Inc. has become the latest proposed sports wagering operator to secure a partnership in North Carolina through an expected source.

Caesars, expected to operate as Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Cherokee, said Tuesday it will provide online sports wagering through Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.

The group already operates onsite Caesars Sportsbook locations at the casinos involving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

“Our relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has spanned more than two decades,” said Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital.

“Expanding this longstanding partnership allows us to build on the premier sports wagering experience enjoyed at our in-person sportsbooks by bringing a responsible way to enjoy sports at a deeper level to the hands of North Carolinians 21 and older across the state.”

Legal mobile and online sports wagering in North Carolina will debut at noon March 11.

That’s 10 days before March Madness begins in earnest with Charlotte’s Spectrum Center hosting first- and second-round NCAA men’s tournament games. The ACC men’s tournament will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 12-16.

The first sports wagers will be made on mobile devices only. In-person sports wagering will follow on a case-by-case basis as sports wagering operators meet commission and state law requirements.

The commission will allow individuals ages 21 and up to begin placing money into an account with a sports wagering operator on March 1. However, those funds won’t be available for betting until March 11.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on June 14, 2023, the bipartisan and divisive House Bill 347, titled “Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering.” The law includes a provision for a start date no later than June 15, 2024.

Legislative analysis of HB347 projected about $40 million initially in annual tax revenue and exceeding $100 million by 2029.

Ripley Rand, chairman of N.C. State Lottery Commission, said Jan. 24 that “bets on sporting events have been made for as long as those events have taken place,” Rand said.

“But this time, they will be legal, they will be done securely and fairly, and they will be made under rules designed to encourage responsible gaming,” Rand said.

Tax revenue from sports betting will support a major event fund, allowing the state to recruit national sports and entertainment events to drive additional tourism, job creation and economic impact.

“Once mobile betting is fully available, 95% of sports wagering is likely to be made that way, particularly during the college football and NFL playoffs and the NCAA men’s basketball tournament,” said Max Bichsel, vice president of sports for Gambling.com.

Next steps

The commission has received licensing applications from nine sports betting operators: Betfair Interactive US LLC; BetMGM LLC; Catawba Two Kings Casino; Crown NC Gaming LLC; FBG Enterprises N.C. LLC (operating as Fanatics Betting and Gaming); Hillside (N.C.) LLC; Penn Sports Interactive LLC; Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Cherokee; and Underdog Sports Wagering LLC.

Potential operators were required to submit their internal control proposals by Jan. 26, which include: their ability to accept and handle wagers on March 11; their wagering rules; ability to provide daily financial reports and how it will meet financial reserve requirements.

Operators whose internal control plan is approved will receive a certificate of compliance from the commission.

“There can be only one operator per eligible venue for purposes of operating a place of public accommodation, assuming those parties choose to pursue that business opportunity,” said Adam Owens, communications manager for the N.C. Education Lottery.

“We have received nine operator applications for mobile wagering on devices. No request for approval of a place of public accommodation, more commonly known as a sportsbook, has been received.”

However, Owens said that some operator-applicants have spoken publicly about their intentions to operate such facilities.

Other partnerships

McConnell Golf, owner and operator of Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club, said Jan. 23 it had signed a partnership with Underdog Sports.

Underdog said it will not have an onsite presence at Sedgefield, but offer online wagering only.

The golf tournament is owned and operated by the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation, with its home course at Sedgefield.

Fanatics Betting and Gaming said Jan. 11 it will enter a long-term partnership agreement with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes to become the team’s official sports betting partner on Fanatics Sportsbook, pending licensing and regulatory approvals.

Fanatics also will offer a retail sportsbook at PNC Arena. The partnership also includes marketing assets, such as in-arena signage, broadcast integrations and PNC Arena activations for hockey fans.

On Jan. 5, BetMGM said it has reached an agreement with Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is BetMGM’s first agreement with a potential sports betting venue.

In early December, Penn Sports Interactive said it had entered into a long-term partnership with Quail Hollow Club and the Wells Fargo Championship for its online sports wagering platform “ESPN BET” in N.C.

ESPN BET, which launched on Nov. 14 in 17 states, combines ESPN’s brand and multiplatform reach with Penn’s proprietary in-house technology and sportsbook operational expertise.