North Carolina Hires Former Massachusetts Regulator to Oversee Sports Betting Compliance  - Newstbt.com

An experienced figure in the sports wagering industry, who had previously held a senior role in the Massachusetts regulatory sector when sports betting was legalized in the state, will take charge of managing sports betting in North Carolina.

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission announced on Friday that Sterl Carpenter has been hired to lead its new Gaming Compliance & Sports Betting Division. With over 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, including the last eight with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Carpenter was believed to be a perfect candidate for the position of Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance & Sports Betting. Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery, voiced his enthusiasm for Carpenter in the news release, stating that “We’re pleased to have someone with Carpenter’s experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state.” (Image: Shutterstock)

Beginning on Wednesday, Carpenter will fill the role of Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance and Sports Betting, recently formed. His job will involve managing the governance of sports betting in North Carolina, which became a state under legal sports betting in June. Provided that the laws pass, 12 online sportsbooks will be able to carry out betting activities, and licensed pro-sports locations will be eligible to administer retail sports betting. With his expertise in launching a market, Carpenter is expected to excel in this role.

Experience Launching a Market

Carpenter, a former sports wagering operations and regulatory compliance manager from Massachusetts, has been hired to help North Carolina stand up its sports betting program in 2021. With the presence of Carpenter, who was at the Massachusetts Commission in 2022 when sports betting was made legal there, North Carolina expects to launch its inaugural year next year. Along with Carpenter’s move, the former Massachusetts Commission’s Executive Director Karen Wells left her post earlier this month and was replaced by the 11-year MGC veteran Todd Grossman.

North Carolina Expects Launch Next Year

In January, the North Carolina Lottery Commission is predicted to start providing sportsbook licenses. By Jan. 8, 2024, and not later than June 14th, the sports betting market will be open in anticipation of the Super Bowl. According to analysts, the sports betting industry in North Carolina could be a major help to those industry executives like FanDuel and DraftKings, due to the state’s existing daily fantasy sports market. Caesars Entertainment could experience a rise in business due to their control of two tribal casinos in the state branded as Harrah’s. Although North Carolina hasn’t had any commercial casinos, the three tribal casinos have been accommodating in-person sportsbooks since 2021. Representatives of the Catawba Tribe announced that they will be obtaining an online sportsbook license once the new law is approved.

Sportsbook operators must pay a fee of $1 million for a five-year license, approved by state regulators, if they are deemed to be fit. Online sportsbooks will need to contribute 18% of their gross income to the state.