Fanatics has found its entrée into the online sports betting market set to launch next year in North Carolina.
A spokesperson for Fanatics Sportsbook confirmed on Friday that it will partner with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes for access to North Carolina, which requires written agreements between a mobile wagering operator and a professional sports organization or venue.
The news was first reported by Sports Business Journal, which also reported DraftKings is set to partner with NASCAR and that BetMGM and Betway are allied with two racetracks in the state for access.
#BREAKING: Fanatics has officially inked a deal with the @Canes 🏒
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) December 15, 2023
The partnership comes just in time as North Carolina readies to launch mobile sports betting next year.
In this week's newsletter, @Bill_KingSBJ looks at who's next for the state's market access ⬇️
While the partnerships have yet to be formally announced, they are proof of operators getting their ducks in a row in the Tar Heel State. Several other partnerships have already been confirmed as well, such as a collaboration between bet365 and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
Fanatics, however, is now on track to secure a place in what will likely be the largest state to launch online sports betting in 2024. For an up-and-coming operator such as Fanatics, ensuring access to North Carolina will be key to keeping up with the bigger players in the industry.
North Carolina regulators have already said they will not launch legal online sports betting in the state in time for the Super Bowl. March Madness is still on the table, which may be crucial in such a basketball-crazy state.
In the meantime, the work continues. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission adopted a second set of sports wagering rules this past week and the regulator has requested that all applicants wishing to launch at the earliest possible moment file their applications by Dec. 27.
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