North Carolina hires former Massachusetts regulator to oversee sports betting compliance
Sports betting in North Carolina is overseen by an industry veteran who most recently served as chief regulator when sports betting was legalized in Massachusetts.
The North Carolina Lottery Commission announced Friday that it has hired Sterl Carpenter to lead its gaming compliance and sports betting division. Carpenter has worked in the gaming industry for more than 30 years, including the past eight years with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
“After an extensive search, we have selected an experienced professional to fill the newly created position of deputy general manager of gaming compliance and sports betting,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of N.C. Education Lottery, in press release. "Carpenter has extensive experience in all aspects of regulation, licensing and compliance. We are pleased to have someone of Carpenter's experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state."
Starting Wednesday, Carpenter will assume the newly created position of deputy general manager of gaming compliance and sports betting. He will oversee the regulation of sports betting in the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina joined the ranks of legal sports betting jurisdictions in June, and the new law will allow up to 12 commercial online sportsbooks to accept wagers. Professional sports venues in the state could also take advantage of the opportunity to offer retail sports betting.
Listing experience
While in Massachusetts, Carpenter served as sports betting operations manager and previously served as regulatory compliance manager. He served on the committee when sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2022, and his experience supporting Bay State gambling plans could be an asset when North Carolina enacts regulations.
Carpenter isn't the only top Massachusetts regulator seeking new opportunities this year. Former Executive Director Karen Wells left the council earlier this month and was temporarily replaced by 11-year MGC veteran Todd Grossman .
North Carolina expected to launch next year
The North Carolina Lottery Commission expects to begin issuing sports betting licenses as early as January, opening the sports betting market in time for the Super Bowl. The law allows sports betting to begin operating starting on January 8, 2024, and no later than June 14.
North Carolina’s sports betting market is expected to be a boon for market leaders FanDuel and DraftKings, thanks in part to the state’s existing daily fantasy sports market, according to analysts. Caesars Entertainment could also get a boost from managing two tribal casinos in North Carolina under the Harrah's brand.
While North Carolina has no commercial casinos, the state’s three tribal casinos have offered live sports betting since 2021. Catawba tribal officials said they will seek an online sports betting license after the new law is passed.
Once a sportsbook operator is deemed qualified by state regulators, it must pay a $1 million fee to obtain a five-year license, with online sportsbooks sharing 18% of total revenue with the state.
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Source: www.casino.org
