Underdog Fantasy is looking to establish a presence in North Carolina’s gaming market.
The fantasy sports company has agreed to a partnership with private golf course owner McConnell Golf as it applies for a sports betting license in North Carolina.
McConnell Golf, which owns courses across several states, owns and operates Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro — host of the PGA Tour’s annual Wyndham Championship.
“Underdog is thrilled to launch our betting games in North Carolina in partnership with McConnell Golf,” said Underdog founder and co-CEO Jeremy Levine. “We’ve spent the last four years building our own technology so we can give sports fans in America new and different ways to enjoy the sports they love. We’re excited to be able to offer that to North Carolinians and look forward to evolving the experience with them.”
Underdog is one of nine operators to apply for a sports betting license in North Carolina, which will authorize wagering later this year. House Bill 347 — signed into law in June 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper — requires sports betting operators in the Tar Heel State to partner with a professional sports team, venue, or league to be awarded a license. Operators who are granted a wagering license, which is issued by the North Carolina Lottery Commission, are required to complete a compliance process. The process includes geolocation testing and a demonstration of wagering.
Other operators who are seeking a license in North Carolina include DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN Bet, and BetMGM. Earlier this month, DraftKings agreed to a partnership with NASCAR for sports betting operations in North Carolina, while BetMGM landed a deal with Charlotte Motor Speedway. The NCLC could begin offering sports betting in the Tar Heel state as early as Q1 2024.
