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License Cost

$1,000,000 license fee for 5-year term

Annual Fees

None (5-year license covers term)

Income Taxes

18% excise tax on gross wagering revenue

Player Winnings Taxes

No state withholding on player winnings

Financial Guarantees

Bond or irrevocable letter of credit equal to two times monthly expected tax liability

Liquidity Requirements

Proof of financial stability required

Financial Reporting Requirements

Ongoing reporting of finances and tax; operator must register with Department of Revenue

Application Processing Time

Commission has up to 60 days to review; applicants have 10 days to respond to issues

Required Documents

Written designation with NC sports team/venue, business entity filings, tax certificates, compliance plans, technical documentation

Business Plan Requirements

Submission of business plan and compliance framework necessary

Internal Policy Requirements

Detailed policies for AML, responsible gaming, and operational controls

Testing Requirements

Independent technical testing of systems (GLI-33 compliance)

Certification Requirements

Event wagering platform must be certified to published standards

Staff Qualifications

Key personnel must pass background and criminal checks

Physical Office Requirements

No specific requirement for residency or local office

Local Representative Requirements

Regulatory contact in application required

Marketing Restrictions

Advertising targeting minors, misleading or deceptive ads prohibited

Responsible Gaming Measures

Mandatory tools for betting limits, self-exclusion, problem gambling resources

Self-Exclusion System

Operators must participate in and provide access to self-exclusion systems

Age Verification Procedures

Minimum age 21; robust processes to verify age before account creation

KYC Procedures

Comprehensive customer identity verification required

Customer Support Standards

Support in English must be available

Complaint Handling Procedures

Documented process for handling player complaints

Player Funds Protection

Segregation of player and operational funds required

Payout Timelines

No specific public timeline; must comply with published payout procedures

Bonus and Promotion Regulations

Subject to truth-in-advertising and responsible gaming restrictions

Permitted Games List

Wagering on approved sports, horse racing, and authorized esports events only

Betting Limits

Not specifically mandated; responsible gaming measures required

RTP Requirements

Not applicable for sports betting

Jackpot Regulations

Not applicable

Live Game Requirements

Regulations mainly apply to event-based sports wagering

Mobile App Compliance

Mobile betting platforms must be approved and geofenced

Affiliate Program Rules

Must comply with advertising, responsible gaming, and AML guidelines

Security Standards

Compliance with GLI-33 and strong cybersecurity protocols

Encryption Requirements

SSL/TLS required for all sensitive information and transactional data

Backup Requirements

Regular backups and disaster recovery required for player data

Monitoring Systems

Continuous monitoring of player activity and risk management systems

Operation Logging

System logs must support auditing and compliance checks

Anti-Fraud Systems

Operators must have real-time measures to detect fraud

API Integration Standards

Must follow Commission-approved integration and system standards

Hosting Requirements

Functionality for geolocation; no explicit data residency rules published

CDN Usage

Not specifically mandated

Scalability Requirements

Platform must support expected player volume and surges in demand

Uptime Requirements

Not explicitly published

Technical Support Availability

24/7 technical support for players and system issues

License Duration

5 years

Renewal Procedure

Application and updated compliance review; $1,000,000 renewal fee

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Sanctions include fines, license suspension, or revocation

Ownership Change Rules

Mandatory disclosure and Commission approval for ownership changes

Mergers and Acquisitions Rules

Regulatory notification and review required

Subcontractor Regulations

Supplier and service provider licenses required (fees apply)

Branding Requirements

Use of trademarks/logos must comply with state advertising standards

Intellectual Property Protection

General US and NC laws apply

Dispute Arbitration

Commission resolves disputes; appeals via regulated process

Insurance Requirements

No explicit public requirement

Social Responsibility Programs

Responsible gaming and problem gambling resource provision required

Charity Contributions

No published requirement

Staff Training Requirements

Operators must conduct ongoing staff training in compliance and responsible gaming

Innovation Support

No dedicated regulatory sandbox or innovation program

Sustainability Initiatives

Not found in public documentation

Accessibility Standards

ADA compliance required for physical locations

Multilingual Support

English required; other languages not specified

Cryptocurrency Support

Not permitted under current framework

Esports Betting Regulations

Esports betting allowed on events approved by the Commission

Fantasy Sports Regulations

Not explicitly included; subject to further guidance

Social Gaming Regulations

Not regulated if prizes not of monetary value

Official Address

North Carolina State Lottery Commission, 2728 Capital Blvd, Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604

Postal Address

North Carolina State Lottery Commission, 2728 Capital Blvd, Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604

Online Application Portal

https://ncgaming.gov/licensing

Work Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern

Facebook URL

https://facebook.com/nclottery

Twitter/X URL

https://twitter.com/nclottery

YouTube URL

https://www.youtube.com/user/nclottery

Departments

Licensing, Compliance, Responsible Gaming, Technical Operations

FAQ Question 1

What is Interactive Sports Wagering Operator License?

FAQ Answer 1

The Interactive Sports Wagering Operator License authorizes eligible operators to offer legal online and mobile sports betting across North Carolina under the regulation and oversight of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission

FAQ Question 2

Which jurisdiction issues Interactive Sports Wagering Operator License?

FAQ Answer 2

The license is issued by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission in the state of North Carolina, United States

FAQ Question 3

What is the cost of obtaining Interactive Sports Wagering Operator License?

FAQ Answer 3

The license fee is $1,000,000 for a five-year term for each operator license. Service provider and supplier licenses have separate fees

FAQ Question 4

What are the main requirements for Interactive Sports Wagering Operator License?

FAQ Answer 4

Key requirements include partnership with a North Carolina sports team, league, or venue; registration as a legal entity; financial stability; comprehensive compliance programs; technical certification; responsible gaming measures; robust AML and KYC procedures; background checks; and full adherence to Commission regulations and tax obligations