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BetMGM signed a North Carolina-mandated partnership deal that will allow it to officially become one of the state's best sports betting apps when it launches, hopefully in time to take advantage of March Madness.

On Friday, BetMGM signed a partnership deal with Charlotte Motor Speedway, fulfilling the North Carolina law that requires any best sportsbooks to sign on with one of the state's sports franchises, arenas, or NASCAR tracks.

BetMGM is one of seven North Carolina sports betting apps waiting for word about when it can go live in the state. Friday's announcement checks a major box for MGM Resorts International and moves the platform one step closer to realizing its hopeful launch date of early March.

Good get for BetMGM

Besides allowing access to the impending North Carolina sports betting market, Charlotte Motor Speedway gives BetMGM an iconic, recognizable, and respected partner.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway is home to two of NASCAR's signature annual events: the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America ROVAL 400.

According to BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt, the decision for the company to partner with Charlotte Motor Speedway seemed simple.

"We have been eagerly awaiting legal, safe, regulated online sports betting in North Carolina, a state with more than 10 million people and one of the most vibrant sports environments in the country," he said. "BetMGM's partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway meets a great demand for entertainment from North Carolinians. Together we will deliver a premier and responsible gaming product that benefits many state agencies."

Good fit for Charlotte Motor Speedway

BetMGM is one of the best sports betting sites and will now share its innovative approach and experience with North Carolina sports bettors.

BetMGM has partnerships in all of North America's major sports leagues, along with key associations with iconic teams and sporting venues across the country. It has the name recognition and market know-how that will benefit both the North Carolina legal sports betting scene and also the Speedway itself.

“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 favorite events while expanding North Carolina’s tax base, supporting colleges, and facilitating recruitment of major events for the future,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager Greg Walter in a press release.

North Carolina taking shape

Despite no official launch date for legal sports betting in North Carolina, Friday's BetMGM announcement further clarifies just what the landscape will look like.

Five of seven operators have now signed mandated partnerships in the state. They include:

That leaves DraftKings, which seems poised for an imminent partnership, and Underdog, among the licensed providers that have yet to sign a North Carolina partnership deal.