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Caesars Accepting Early Mobile Sports Betting Wagers in North Carolina on Casino Grounds

James Bisson

Last Updated: March 3, 2024 1:30 PM EST • 1 min 60 sec read.

Cormac Ryan reacts after a play by Elliot Cadeau of the UNC Tar Heels during the game against the NC State Wolfpack.
Cormac Ryan reacts after a play by Elliot Cadeau of the UNC Tar Heels during the game against the NC State Wolfpack. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images via AFP.

The pre-registration period for North Carolina sports betting apps started Friday, with the full launch scheduled for March 11 at noon. However, Caesars has gained the ability to begin accepting mobile wagers before that date.

Caesars, one of the best sports betting sites in the North Carolina sports betting scene, used its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a provision in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to accept mobile sports betting wagers on the grounds of two state casinos beginning March 1.

A Caesars press release Friday read: "Caesars Entertainment, Inc. today announced its premier sports wagering platform, Caesars Sportsbook, became the first sportsbook to launch legalized mobile sports betting in the state of North Carolina. Made possible under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and through Caesars’ expanded relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Caesars Sportsbook app is now exclusively accepting mobile sports bets at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, NC and on surrounding Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal lands."

What it all means

Caesars is now taking wagers for those 21 years and older in the North Carolina market. The other seven best sports betting apps can begin offering sports betting options on March 11.

However, as mentioned, to access the best North Carolina sportsbook promos and bet at Caesars, you must be on tribal lands at "Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, NC, or on surrounding Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal lands."

An 11-day head start on the other best sportsbooks could pay huge dividends, driving bettors to use a Caesars promo code and bet there before looking to the competition. 

Relationship paying off

Caesars is the only sports betting provider that had a presence in the state before mobile sports betting became legal.

It's had a partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to provide brick-and-mortar sports betting opportunities since 2021.

“Over the years, the partnership between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Caesars Entertainment has only flourished and strengthened,” said Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. “We eagerly anticipate the chance to introduce mobile sports betting to North Carolina, offering a fresh and new experience to all sports fans.”

Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital said of the partnership: “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, and with the sports calendar heating up, there is a lot to be excited about. Thank you to the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, and its Sports Betting Committee for making this day a possibility.”

Waiting in the wings

Though Caesars has kicked off the mobile sports betting industry in the Tar Heel State, seven other sportsbooks are waiting in the wings for March 11.

Just pre-registration can take place with all other sites offering the best sportsbook promos.

They include:

  • bet365 in partnership with the Charlotte Hornets
  • BetMGM in partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • DraftKings in partnership with NASCAR
  • ESPN BET in partnership with Quail Hollow Golf Club
  • Fanatics Sportsbook in partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes
  • FanDuel in partnership with the PGA Tour
  • Underdog in partnership with McConnell Golf
Written By:
James Bisson
James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief of Sportsbook Review. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications across North America. His first book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles. James has also been quoted as a sports betting expert in USA Today and Sports Illustrated.