Proposed Rules Prohibit Betting Companies from Purchasing Naming Rights to NC Arenas and Tracks

The North Carolina Lottery Commission’s sports betting committee has proposed a set of rules that would prohibit naming rights opportunities for betting companies at sports facilities and racetracks across the state. This means that arenas like Raleigh’s PNC Arena and Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium would not be allowed to have names like “Caesars Arena” or “FanDuel Field.”

The proposed rule states, “No operator shall contract for or purchase the right to name a sports facility or racetrack, or any physical location within the sports facility or racetrack.” However, the rule does allow for in-person sportsbooks to bear the operator’s tradename. For example, there could be an “ESPN BET Sportsbook” at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The commission is currently working through rules for every aspect of the sports betting industry as it faces a June 15 deadline to have sports betting up and running in the state. Sports betting could begin as soon as Jan. 8, although no specific date has been set.

The proposed rules, totaling more than 250 pages, also touch on licensing provisions, disciplinary actions and hearings, responsible gaming, wagering accounts, wagering facilities, and advertising and marketing standards for sports wagering.

Some key points from the proposed rules include:
– Bettors can wager and/or win up to $10,000 anonymously at in-person sports wagering facilities, but for amounts over $10,000, bettors must provide personal information.
– Advertising must include a statement that those under 21 cannot bet and cannot include or depict college students or college-related settings.
– Further, advertising cannot be aimed at those under 21, including on platforms primarily used by them, at events with a young audience, or at any schools or college venues.

The public comment period for these proposed rules is open until Nov. 27, with a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 20. The commission will vote on a first set of rules and definitions later this month.