UPDATED: First North Carolina Sports Betting Operator Licenses Awarded

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY SportsThe North Carolina Lottery Commission has awarded its first sports betting licensesEight operators received the licensesOperators will begin registering new players tomorrow

The first batch of North Carolina sports betting licenses have been awarded.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission announced today that it has awarded its first eight sports betting operator licenses. Each operator can begin registering new players tomorrow in the state.

Each of the operators will be eligible to launch online sports betting in the Tar Heel State on Monday, March 11.

A Historic Moment for North Carolina

The North Carolina Lottery Commission awarded licenses to the following operators and their partners:

bet365 NC: Charlotte HornetsBetMGM NC: Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCaesars Sportsbook: Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise CherokeeDraftKings NC: NASCARFanatics Betting and Gaming: Carolina HurricanesFanDuel NC: PGA TourPENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET NC): Quail Hollow Club (PGA Tour course)Underdog Sports: McConnell Golf

As part of the requirements for a license, each operator had to partner with either a North Carolina sports franchise, arena, or PGA Tour golf course.

The Catawba Two Kings Casino is still awaiting an license.

Each of the licensed operators are expected to be ready on Monday, March 11, at noon when North Carolina launches online sports betting. It’s good timing for the state, as the NCAA will tip off its March Madness basketball tournament on Tuesday, March 19.

“Issuing the first interactive sports wagering operator licenses today represents a major milestone in establishing legal sports betting in North Carolina,” said Ripley Rand, chair of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, in a release. “North Carolinians can begin signing up for accounts on their mobile devices on Friday with the confidence they will soon be able to make wagers on their favorite sporting events securely and responsibly. We’re just 11 days away from the start of sports betting in North Carolina and we will be working every day between now and then to see that our launch is a successful one.”

18 NC Provisional Sports Betting Supplier Licenses Approved

The Lottery Commission also announced that 18 provisional sports betting supplier licenses were approved. Supplier license holders do not accept bets, but provide integrity services, content, and data in the state. The licenses are valid for 180 days.

The following companies have been awarded North Carolina sports betting supplier licenses:

SportContentCo, LLCSIS Content ServicesSwish Analytics North Carolina, IncIdology, IncLexisNexis Risk Solutions, FL, IncInternational Betting Integrity AssociationFEMG,COXpoint Services LLCAristotle International IncU.S. Integrity INCSocure, IncGenius Sports Media IncTelecheck Services LLCBanach TechnologiesContinent 8, LLCJumio Services CorporationsYourPay LLCIMG Arena US LLC

Three full supplier licenses have also been awarded to GeoComply Solutions, SBTech Malta Limited, and Sportradar Solutions.