This article is written by Brian Murphy, an investigative reporter for WRAL Sports, and Matt Talhelm, a reporter for WRAL.

Currently, individuals in North Carolina who engage in sports gambling are unable to make bets or establish accounts with online betting platforms.

However, operators have already started promoting in the state, with advertisements appearing on platforms such as social media and television.

Over the weekend, the top companies in the industry, FanDuel and DraftKings, released digital advertisements to promote their launch in North Carolina. DraftKings will also be launching television commercials this week.

State regulators in North Carolina disclosed in late January that the commencement of sports betting in the state will take place at 12 PM on March 11. Starting at 12 PM on March 1, bettors will have the ability to establish accounts and deposit funds into them.

Up to nine providers may start accepting wagers in the state on March 11, although the North Carolina Lottery Commission has not yet disclosed which providers will be granted licenses.

According to Michelle Malkin, the director of the Gambling Research & Policy Initiative at East Carolina University, we can expect more than just a flood of advertising and media coverage when examining the effects of legalizing sports betting in other states.

“It will be seen in multiple forms of media such as television commercials, print ads, billboards, radio, and social media.”

The governing body responsible for monitoring mobile sports betting has released guidelines regarding advertising. Among these guidelines are regulations that prohibit operators from targeting individuals under the age of 21.

Several operators, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, bet365, and Underdog Sports, have submitted license applications. The Catawba Nation has also applied for an operator license, but has not yet revealed its chosen betting partner.

Source: wralsportsfan.com