Fanatics to Join North Carolina Sports Betting Market Through Hurricanes Partnership
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Fanatics has partnered with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes to gain market access to the upcoming North Carolina sports betting market, according to Legal Sports Report.
Fanatics North Carolina Details
Under such a partnership, Fanatics is eligible to open a retail sportsbook at PNC Arena in addition to being the team’s sole mobile betting partner.
Fanatics will host a retail sportsbook at Backyard Bistro – a Raleigh restaurant located half-a-mile from PNC arena. The Hurricanes purchased the restaurant and plan to operate their retail sportsbook from there until PNC Arena’s $300 million renovation project is completed, according to WRAL. The project is expected to take several years.
Four Sportsbooks “Confirmed” in North Carolina
Fanatics joins Bet365, ESPN Bet, and FanDuel as the sportsbooks that have “written designation agreements” with sports entities in the state. Bet365 partnered with the Charlotte Hornets, ESPN Bet partnered with Quail Hollow Country Club, and FanDuel partnered with the PGA Tour.
While this is a requirement of the application, the agreement itself does not constitute a license, and the North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC) must still approve it for licensure.
With four off the table, there are seven remaining partners available in the state:
- Carolina Panthers
- Charlotte FC
- NASCAR
- NC Courage
- Charlotte Motor Speedway
- North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Sedgefield Country Club
DraftKings has allegedly signed an agreement with NASCAR, and BetMGM and Betway signed deals with Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro, respectively, though nothing has been publicly confirmed.
If that’s the case, the state has four licenses left, one of which will belong to the Carolina Panthers, arguably the most lucrative.
March Madness Launch is Feasible
Lawmakers set a deadline of Dec. 27 for sportsbooks to apply for a license in the state formally. They will then have until Feb. 20 to review and issue all licenses.
They have announced that the market will not be launched in time for Super Bowl XLVII1 on Feb. 11; however, one month after the February issuance deadline – March 19 – is the start of the NCAA March Madness Tournament, so it’s likely they will try and have betting available by then.
