North Carolina is readying for the launch of sports betting in the state with the appointment of Sterl Carpenter as the new Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance and Sports Betting.
The North Carolina Lottery’s gain is the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s loss, as Carpenter is stepping down from his post there as the Sports Wagering Operations Manager. Carpenter served with the MGC for eight years before stepping down. Before that, he worked as a casino floor manager at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut.
“After an extensive search, we have selected an experienced professional to serve in the newly-created role of Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance & Sports Betting,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the NC Education Lottery. “Carpenter has experience in all aspects of regulations and licensing as well as compliance. We’re pleased to have someone with Carpenter’s experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state.”
Carpenter will help develop and oversee the new sports betting division of the lottery. Unlike Kentucky, which is rolling out online betting in the fall, North Carolina will not launch any online sportsbooks prior to the start of 2024.
Carpenter announced his departure during an MGC meeting this week. Each of the five commissioners took time to commend Carpenter for his work and wish him well. Chairperson Cathy Judd-Stein noted that, while it was sad to see him go, it speaks highly of his work for the state that it “caught the eye” of another group.
Carpenter joins a growing list of departures from the MGC this summer. Executive Director Karen Wells recently stepped down from her post, while Investigation and Enforcement Bureau head Loretta Lillios will be retiring in a matter of weeks.
