Bet365, a prominent wagering operator, has announced a significant partnership with the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA franchise. The deal involves bet365 serving as the official mobile betting provider for the team.
This partnership comes as North Carolina prepares to launch legal sports betting on January 8. However, locals will not be able to immediately place bets on sports once the law is passed. It is expected that sports betting in the state will officially launch by June 15.
Due to the delayed launch of sports betting in the state, the activation of the partnership between bet365 and the Charlotte Hornets will also be postponed.
As part of the agreement, bet365 will have a presence at the Spectrum Center and across the team’s official digital media platforms as the Hornets’ official sponsor.
The Charlotte Hornets become the fifth professional sports club in the US to partner with bet365. The operator has previously signed similar agreements with the Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Commanders.
Bet365’s products are already available in several states, including Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia, allowing the company to reach a wide audience of sports fans. They offer betting markets for 78 different sports and serve 90 million fans worldwide.
In addition to their partnership with the Charlotte Hornets, bet365 has also reaffirmed their support for the professional darts sector by committing to sponsor the US Darts Masters event for another year.
Meanwhile, North Carolina is moving closer to the legalization of sports betting. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has adopted the first package of sports betting rules, covering various topics including regulations on advertising practices. The commission is soliciting public input on the next set of rules, with a deadline of November 27.
Earlier in the year, North Carolina faced resistance in its attempts to expand the gambling industry by legalizing more casinos. The proposal was met with criticism from those concerned about potential negative impacts.