North Carolina
DraftKings and BetMGM secure market access in North Carolina
DraftKings and BetMGM have struck market access agreements in North Carolina head of the Tarheel State launching its legal sports betting market.
Both arrangements cover sports wagering in North Carolina. DraftKings will part with stock-car racing series Nascar and BetMGM the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the state.
Under DraftKings’ deal with Nascar, the operator becomes the series’ exclusive daily fantasy sports partner in the US and Canada. DraftKings will also be an authorised gaming operator of NASCAR and secure additional sponsorship benefits across Nascar.
Subject to regulatory and licence approvals, North Carolina will become the 27th US state in which DraftKings is active. This comes after it also secured approval in Vermont last month.
“DraftKings and Nascar have collaborated closely with each other over the years, sharing a like-minded commitment to enhancing the fan experience,” DraftKings North America president Matt Kalish said. “We look forward to the next chapter in our journey together and offering our leading mobile sportsbook to fans in the state of North Carolina.”
Nascar’s managing director for sports betting, Joe Solosky, added: “DraftKings has a proven track record of enhancing the fan experience across sports. We are thrilled to continue working with DraftKings to deliver Nascar fans more engagement opportunities and bring its leading mobile sportsbook to North Carolina.”
Local partner for BetMGM
As for BetMGM, the MGM Resorts-Entain joint venture will work with the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Located in Concord, North Carolina, the complex regularly hosts Nascar racing.
BetMGM also said its planned launch hinges on regulatory and licence approval in the state. The operator added that it expects North Carolina market to open before the end of Q1.
“BetMGM’s partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway meets a great demand for entertainment from North Carolinians,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said. “Together. we will deliver a premier and responsible gaming product that benefits many state agencies.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager Greg Walter also welcomed the partnership. He said: “With Charlotte Motor Speedway’s history of innovation, we wanted to move forward into this new era of sports entertainment with a progressive sportsbook.
“This partnership with BetMGM will bring sports fans new ways to enjoy their favourite events while expanding North Carolina’s tax base, supporting colleges and facilitating recruitment of major events for the future.”
North Carolina edges closer to legal sports betting launch
As stated by BetMGM, it is hoped that North Carolina could commence legal sports betting within the next few months. However, an official launch date has not yet been announced, despite governor Roy Cooper signing House Bill 347 into law in June, officially legalising wagering.
In December, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission approved applications for sports betting licensure. This meant operators were able to begin applying for licences in the state.
While this took the state closer to launching legal betting, Commission chair Ripley Rand said actually opening the market will depend on a number of factors. Primarily, this will hinge on how long the application process takes.
Rand said the Commission will need to review all applications and supporting information. It will also need to complete background checks and analyse all internal control details before it can set a launch date.
The Commission has 60 days to review each application and operators have 10 days to make any changes flagged.
With both DraftKings and BetMGM securing market access, this suggests the mooted Q1 launch date could be accurate. Last month, ESPN Bet also linked up with the PGA Tour to roll out its offering in North Carolina.
Fanatics and FanDuel Group are also among the major brands said to be seeking a licence in the state.
What about the rules?
Against the background of these market access agreements remains something of an air of uncertainty. The state is yet to agree on a final set of sports betting rules.
Certain measures were set out in the bill that was signed off last spring. These include bets being permitted across college sports, esports and other sports matches authorised by the Commission.
Tax is set at 18% of each licence holder’s gross gaming revenue. This was previously 14% but was later amended in the Senate.
There is also a stipulation whereby operators must have a written designation agreement with a sports team, league or venue in order to launch sports betting.
An initial set of rules published in October also included a ban on pick’em-style daily fantasy sports (DFS) games.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
-
Denver, CO5 minutes agoDenver Nuggets Altitude broadcasts now being offered in Spanish for first time ever
-
Seattle, WA11 minutes agoNeed to shred? Free drive-up/ride-up shredding Wednesday at Village Green West Seattle
-
San Diego, CA17 minutes agoGame 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
-
Milwaukee, WI23 minutes agoOne person injured following early Sunday morning shooting in Milwaukee
-
Atlanta, GA29 minutes agoPlay Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park
-
Minneapolis, MN35 minutes agoBetween Minneapolis And Lake Superior Is The ‘Agate Capital Of The World’ With Cozy Charm And A State Park – Islands
-
Indianapolis, IN41 minutes ago1 dead after shooting on Indy’s near south side
-
Pittsburg, PA47 minutes agoGame #22: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates