Sports betting set for legal launch in NC, resources offered to prevent addiction

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Sports fans across North Carolina will get their first chance to place a legal bet on Monday.

The legal launch officially happens at noon. At that time, anyone 21 years or older who is registered with a licensed sportsbook can begin placing bets.

As of Monday, eight sportsbooks have been awarded licenses, and the state lottery commission said nine others have applied with more expected to be approved in the future. Fans were able to start registering with the licensed sportsbooks on March 1.

Bets can be placed on professional or collegiate contests, and include everything from Carolina Panthers games to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Wagering on horse racing has not yet been authorized by state officials.

State leaders said revenue from sports betting will go toward a number of things, including going back into state collegiate and professional teams. That money will be used for things like sports equipment and facility upgrades.

“It’s another opportunity for small market teams like us to generate some revenue to be able to compete, and across our state, certainly all of the other teams want to compete to be on a level playing field,” former Charlotte Hornets President and VP Fred Whitfield said.

Each year, $2 million will also go toward gambling and addiction treatment services.

Charlotte therapist Charles Rhyne said gambling addictions can start just like those to drugs or alcohol. Sometimes once a person starts, they may have a hard time knowing when to stop. However, he said it can be done safely, as long as safeguards are in place.

“Set a budget and stick to it,” Rhyne said. “Like if you’re going to say ‘I am not going to be more than $100 per week,’ that has to be set in stone.”

Sportsbooks have also made an effort to help bettors play responsibility. A FanDuel representative, one of the state’s eight licensed sportsbooks, said it has tools in place to help users stick to a budget.

“We’ve provide customers with a number of tools that they can use to manage their play,” FanDuel’s Lindsay Vellines said. “These are things like deposit limits and wage limits, and we encourage everybody to think about how they can include responsible, gaming tools into their play.”

There are also a number of resources the state has provided, which can be found here.