Caesars Entertainment has become the first operator to launch legal online sports betting in North Carolina, under its Caesars Sportsbook brand. The platform’s debut was made possible through an expanded partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The app is now exclusively accepting mobile sports bets at two Cherokee-run casinos and on tribal land. The locations include Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, and surrounding Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal lands.
North Carolina is not due to launch full-scale legal sports betting until 11 March. However, ahead of the date, residents aged 21 and older can still access the Caesars Sportsbook app, available on both iOS and Android platforms, or visit the site on desktop to register and create their accounts in the meantime.
Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, said: “The Caesars Sportsbook app is the perfect complement to our in-person retail sportsbooks in Western North Carolina that so many sports fans have enjoyed for years. We’re thankful to be able to offer wagering at the Harrah’s Cherokee properties as part of our longstanding relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, added: “Over the years, the partnership between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Caesars Entertainment has only flourished and strengthened. We eagerly anticipate the chance to introduce mobile sports betting to North Carolina, offering a fresh and new experience to all sports fans.”
Caesars’ app promises a range of user-friendly features, including quick payouts, various deposit options, fast scoreboards, same-game parlays, prop betting markets, expanded in-play betting options, and live streaming of marquee sporting events.
The debut of Caesars Sportsbook anticipates North Carolina’s full-scale legal sports betting market launch, slated to commence on March 11. Governor Roy Cooper’s approval of House Bill 347 in June 2023 initiated a timeline for implementation, with regulations published last month and operators gearing up to accept wagers well ahead of the June deadline.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission recently awarded eight interactive sports wagering licenses to operators ahead of the March 11 date, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet, each partnering with sports teams, leagues, or venues within the state.