GREENSBORO, N.C. — With sports betting in North Carolina right around the corner, fans are gearing up to take part in the action.
What You Need To Know
- Eight companies won licenses for sports betting in North Carolina
- Brick-and-mortar locations and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian casinos will also be able to offer sports betting
- Fans are excited to place their wagers on N.C. and out-of-state teams
- Sports betting goes live at noon March 11, just ahead of the men's ACC Tournament
Fans from near and far have traveled to the Women’s ACC Tournament, hoping to see their favorite team win.
“Me and my brother try to go to every game that's on the weekend at Cassell (Coliseum). So we're kind of familiar with the team, and we've been up to date with them in the past years,” said Ethan Chavez, a Virginia Tech Hokies fan who drove from Virginia.
Although fans are enjoying the atmosphere and excitement of the games, sporting events in North Carolina will soon look different with sports betting going live at noon March 11.
“I would bet for my team because it makes it a lot more fun. When they win it's, like, the icing on the cake. You make a few bucks off of it, too,” Chavez said.
Despite being able to bet soon on North Carolina teams, he says he would still put money on the Hokies.
Brittney Lewis, a bartender at the Greensboro Coliseum, says she is ready to bet on her favorite North Carolina teams.
“Carolina Tar Heels, definitely. Duke Blue Devils. Believe it or not, N.C. State has a great fan base. They travel the best. Wake Forest has a great fan base," Lewis said. "I think that North Carolina residents are just so happy at the fact that they can bet, it's going to be great."
"The state will definitely benefit a lot from it,” Lewis said.
She says she has been betting on sports since she turned 21 and traveled to Virginia to place her bets.
“I can bet from my bed. I can bet from my desk while I'm working, my couch. I don't have to drive 45 minutes to go and simply place a bet. Definitely much more convenient,” she said.
Bettors will be able to place wagers on teams across the state, including college and professional sports, at eight online agencies, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and Cherokee casinos.
“People will bet on teams, winners, losers. They might bet on points, on baskets, who's going to score the next touchdown," Lewis said. "It's just so many different bets you can place. It's a lot, but it's a good thing."
"They're definitely going to bet on the North Carolina teams, especially basketball season,” she said.
Lewis says she has already downloaded and registered on apps for betting within the state and hopes that this push in the sports community will bring events back to the state as well.
“Hopefully it'll bring the ACC Tournament back to North Carolina, Greensboro particularly, but definitely basketball will be a big hit just simply because you can bet on so many different aspects of the game rather than just simply a winner or loser,” she said.
She believes the betting will create new interest among sports fans.
"North Carolina teams are great teams to bet on," Lewis said.
Lewis says she believes sports betting can not only bring an economic boost to the state as a whole, but also benefit restaurants and bars.
"That will help me also as a bartender, because we will have more customers," she said. "If people are able to bet, they're going to want to see the games, they're going to want to come to the game."
"It will definitely boost sales for bartenders, for sporting venues, concessions,” Lewis said.
She also urges betters to be smart with their money and to tip bartenders.
Among the familiar names that have been issued North Carolina sports wagering licenses are FanDuel, BETMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, ESPN BET, Underdog Sports and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.