North Carolina: Charlotte Hornets, bet365 partner in anticipation to legal sports betting launch

The NBA's Charlotte Hornets have announced a strategic partnership with online sports betting giant bet365. This collaboration positions bet365 as the official mobile betting outlet for the team, as revealed in a press release on Friday.

This announcement follows Governor Roy Cooper's signing of the North Carolina sports betting bill in June. Jacob Gallagher, the Hornets' Revenue Director, highlighted that the search for a suitable betting partner began immediately after the law was signed.

We are proud to announce an exclusive long-term partnership with @bet365_us, becoming the Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the Charlotte Hornets.

Read more about this exciting new partnership: https://t.co/1zi6zylwcD pic.twitter.com/Pc4Lpn0nfW

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 17, 2023

The partnership's activation is pending until bet365 receives a license to operate in the state, with the legislation for online sports betting expected to go into effect on January 8. The partnership will allow bet365 to feature branding and signage at the Spectrum Center, on the Hornets' website, on social media platforms, on the team's mobile app, and in-game broadcasts on television and radio.

Operating across 78 sports and offering over 78,000 live streams, bet365 serves 90 million global customers and employs more than 7,000 people internationally.

The new legislation enables individuals aged 21 and over to bet on professional and college sports in North Carolina, both online and in-person, at locations near eight of the state's professional sports facilities.

These locations include Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Quail Hollow in Charlotte, as well as PNC Arena in Raleigh, WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. Up to 12 online sports betting apps and websites will be allowed to operate.

With this partnership, the Charlotte Hornets have become the fifth professional sports franchise in the U.S. to establish an agreement with bet365, joining the Washington Commanders, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, and San Antonio Spurs.