Underdog, 7 Other North Carolina Sportsbook Operators Announced

• Underdog Sports is the name that sticks out amongst the eight North Carolina sports betting operators announced on Thursday.
• Their North Carolina license marks the first attempt for Underdog Fantasy to also offer a regulated sportsbook.
• North Carolina online sports betting launches at 12 p.m. ET on March 11.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina State Lottery Commission officially announced that eight sportsbooks received sports wagering operator licenses. Among that group is Underdog Sports Wagering, who make their debut as a legal sports betting operator rather than just fantasy sports.

Each operator can begin registering players as of Friday prior to the state-wide North Carolina sports betting launch on March 11. All North Carolina sports betting operators must partner with a professional sports league, team or venue that hosts professional sporting events (PGA Tour, NASCAR).

• BetMGM – Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Bet365 – Charlotte Hornets
• Caesars Sportsbook – Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise
• DraftKings – NASCAR
• ESPN BET – Quail Hollow Club
• Fanatics Sportsbook – Carolina Hurricanes
• FanDuel – PGA Tour
• Underdog Sports Wagering – McConnell Golf

Underdog A Surprising Name In NC Operators List

Traditionally known for their fantasy contests and Pick ‘Em style entries, Underdog makes their first attempt of being a regulated sportsbook in North Carolina under the name of “Underdog Sports Wagering”. Their daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests became incredibly popular, but with so many states cracking down on DFS, Underdog founder and Co-CEO Jeremy Levine decided it was time to dive into regulated sports betting.

North Carolina, we’re coming.

So excited to be launching @UnderdogFantasy‘s take on sports betting in NC on March 11th. The NC State Lottery Commission has been an absolute pleasure to work with. pic.twitter.com/KNocVg931I

— Jeremy Levine (@JerLevine) February 29, 2024

Underdog Fantasy and other DFS operators were targeted for offering player prop betting under the false name of a “fantasy contest”. After North Carolina released their proposed sports betting rules back in October, prop-style Pick ‘Em entries were prohibited for resembling sports wagering.

Underdog won’t have to worry about that anymore with their acquisition of a North Carolina sports wagering license. Legal sports betting in North Carolina arrives just in times for fans to bet on March Madness, which begins on March 19.

News tags: bet365 | BetMGM | Caesars | Daily Fantasy Sports | DFS | DraftKings | ESPN BET | Fanatics | FanDuel | Jeremy Levine | North Carolina | North Carolina State Lottery Commission | Underdog