The bid to legalize NC online sports betting failed last month by the barest of margins.
However, the effort might have received a stronger push toward the line had sportsbooks not left it until too late to mobilize their customer base.
DraftKings emailed NC customers onJune26, urging them to contact lawmakers to support mobile sports betting legislation.
There was just one problem: lawmakers had already voted against the sports betting legislation four days earlier, killing the bill.
The DraftKings email read:
Have you heard? Lawmakers in North Carolina could bring mobile sports betting to the Tar Heel State! But it wont happen unless they hear from fans like you NOW.
Were just a couple of months away from another football season and North Carolina still doesnt have mobile sports betting. Meanwhile, sports fans in states across the country, including in Virginia and Tennessee, have had access to full mobile sports betting for a while.
That means that North Carolina continues to leave millions of dollars on the table by not allowing mobile sports betting in the state. Instead, all of that money will go to illegal operators and other states with legal mobile betting.
Its time to act! Tell your North Carolina lawmakers that you want mobile sports betting in North Carolina NOW!
DraftKings representatives did not respond to requests for comment from LSR.
At least DraftKings tried. Other major sportsbooks did not send out an activation email at all, multiple NC account holders said.
NC Senate Bill 688failed by just one vote, 51-50.
Any fan involvement could have swayed just enough votes to pass the bill, said Dennis Justice, a sports betting industry observer and NC House candidate. E-mails cost next to nothing. Unforgivable.
North Carolina at least has retail betting through two tribal-owned Harrahscasinos that feature a retail Caesars Sportsbook.
NC mobile sports betting might have failed this year regardless.
However, Justice noted industry lobbyists were simply not prepared for local political dynamics, especially the debate around in-state college betting.
Not understanding how politics work in each state will hurt the cause, Justice said.
Indeed, it isnt the first time US sportsbooks have missed an expansion opportunity through a lack of sufficient organization.
Back in January, FanDuel and DraftKings failed to secure the nearly 900,000 verified signatures needed to place a Florida sports betting question on the ballot.
The operators actually collected more than enough signatures, but did not give the state time to verify them.
These failures are particularly relevant as the battle for California sports betting looms.
Online sportsbooks face committed opposition with deep pockets and political sway.
Will the industry learn from its recent past or keep making the same mistakes?
More:
Four The Love: Sportsbooks Late In Failed Online NC Sports Betting Bid - Legal Sports Report
- Fanatics Sportsbook Massachusetts Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 27, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 27, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook New York Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 27, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Iowa Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonus Bets For May 27, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Betway Sportsbook Promo Code: Score A First Bet Reset Of Up To $250 For NBA On May 27th 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Promo: Bet And Get $1K In Bonus Bets For May 27, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Massachusetts Promo | Get Up to $1000 in Bonus Bets for Celtics-Pacers - Celtics Wire - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Vermont Sportsbook Promos: Claim Up to $2,750 in Bonuses Now! - Sporting News - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Massachusetts Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 24, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- NFL Betting Promos, Bonuses & Sportsbooks 2024 - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Score $1K in Bonuses for NBA, NHL, MLB Action - Sports Betting Dime - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- North Carolina Sportsbook Promos: Best NC Sports Betting Promos for NASCAR, NBA, NHL Playoffs - Chiefs Wire - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Secure $1,000 in Bonus Bets with Daily $100 Bet for 10 Days - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Best Sportsbook Promotions and Bonuses in May 2024 - Gaming Today - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Collect $1K in Bonus Bets for NBA, MLB + NHL - Sports Betting Dime - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Maryland Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 24, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 23, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook West Virginia Promo Code: Bet And Get Up To $1K In Bonuses For May 24, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Bet $100 Daily, Earn $1,000 in Bonus Bets After 10 Days in 14 States on Tuesday, All Week - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo - Get Up to $1K in Bonus Bets for Pacers-Celtics & Thursday Odds - RotoWire - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Unlock Up to $1K in Bonus Bets For Panthers-Rangers, or Any Game Friday - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Deontay Wilder Welcomes Another Fury Fight, Criticizes Paul-Tyson Bout in SBR Exclusive - Sportsbook Review - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code ACTION41000 Unlocks $1K Bonus Bet for All Thursday Sports, Including NHL Playoffs - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Delivers $1K in Daily Bet Matches in 20 States for Any Games This Week and Beyond - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Best Euro 2024 Betting Sites and Promotions in May 2024 - World Sports Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Promo: Bet And Get $1K In Bonus Bets For May 22, 2024 - Bookies.com - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Grants Up to $1K in Bonus Bets for NBA & NHL Playoffs, All Weekend Events - The Action Network - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- As states mull tax hikes, sportsbooks insist they're paying their fair share - The Washington Post - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- How to bet NHL Rangers vs. Panthers Game 3 odds online using best sportsbook promo codes: Claim more than ... - Sporting News - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- How to bet Indy 500 odds online using best sportsbook promo codes: Claim more than $6,000 in bonuses from ... - Sporting News - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Get $1,000 Bet Match Bonus in All States; NC Also Gets Free Hat with Early Sign-Up - The Action Network - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Despite Red Flags, Sportsbooks Say Caleb Williams Is Lock To Go #1 In NFL Draft - Outkick - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code: Profit Boosts with early NC sign-up; Other offers nationwide - New York Post - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Best Sportsbook Promos and Bonus Codes in Indiana for March 2024: BetMGM, DraftKings, & FanDuel - 21 Alive News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Caesars Sportsbook NC promo code WRALDBL: Get this week's pre-reg offer - WRAL News - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Earn up to $1K in Bonus Value in 15 States on Any Weekend Action - The Action Network - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Fanatics Online Sportsbook App Preview and Bonus Offers - TheLines.com - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Get the best North Carolina sportsbook promo codes here during prelaunch - OregonLive - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Potawatomi Casino Hotel - Milwaukee Announces Dates for Retail Sportsbook and Poker Room Grand Openings - Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- DraftKings Sportsbook: How to Bet on the Grammys - OddsChecker - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Get $1,000 total sign-up bonus over 10 days to use on Super Bowl, any games - New York Post - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code Banks Maximum $1K in 9 States, $200 Offer Available In Other States For Any Sport - Fantasy Labs - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- North Carolina has yet to approve any license, but one online sportsbook says it'll be available in March - WXII12 Winston-Salem - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Open for business at the WM Phoenix Open: DraftKings Sportsbook - The Arizona Republic - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Goes Live with Wagering in Iowa - SBC Americas - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Betting App Goes Live In Iowa - Sports Handle - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Get $158 In Bonuses With BetMGM Sportsbook Bonus Code ROTOBONUS - RotoWire - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook Launches Today in Iowa - GlobeNewswire - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Wisconsin Sports Betting (2024): 10 Best WI Sportsbook Apps - The Hudson Reporter - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Tennessee vs. LSU: Sportsbook promo codes, odds, spread, over/under - February 7 - Action News 5 - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Utah Sports Betting (2024): 10 Best UT Sportsbooks Online - The Hudson Reporter - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- California Sports Betting (2024): 10 Best CA Sportsbooks - The Hudson Reporter - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- North Dakota Sports Betting 2024 - 10 Best ND Sportsbooks - The Hudson Reporter - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Charleston Southern vs. Winthrop: Sportsbook promo codes, odds, spread, over/under - February 7 - WRDW - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code NYPNEWS1000: Claim $1K back on Super Bowl, NHL and others - New York Post - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- 2024 Tourney The First Phoenix Open With On-Site Sportsbook - Sports Handle - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Wisconsin vs. Michigan: Sportsbook promo codes, odds, spread, over/under - February 7 - WEAU - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- The Causes of Sportsbook Verification Problems & Delays, and How to Get Verified Faster at DraftKings, FanDuel ... - The Action Network - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Heres the Best Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code for This Week - Mile High Sports - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- MLB Picks for April 5: Baseball Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - April 6th, 2023 [April 6th, 2023]
- How To Bet the MLB No Sweat promo on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - April 6th, 2023 [April 6th, 2023]
- Caesars Sportsbook promo code: MLB Opening Day, NBA first bet offer ... - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Best Online Sportsbooks 2023 - USA Sports Betting Sites - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Same Game Parlay Extra: How a Bettor Turned $25 Into Over $13,500 With an NBA SGPx on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Here's the games where Caesars Sportsbook has the best odds for Wednesday - NOLA.com - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- KD is back! Heres how to bet his DraftKings Sportsbook Super Boost - DraftKings Nation - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- What are the most likely NBA Finals scenarios according to Caesars Sportsbook? - NOLA.com - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for February 24 - DraftKings Nation - February 26th, 2023 [February 26th, 2023]
- MLB Futures: Baseball Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - February 26th, 2023 [February 26th, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for February 16 - DraftKings Nation - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for All-Star Weekend - DraftKings Nation - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- MLB Win Totals: Baseball Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for January 30 - DraftKings Nation - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for February 2 - DraftKings Nation - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for February 1 - DraftKings Nation - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- NBA Best Bets: NBA Picks and Betting Trends on DraftKings Sportsbook for January 31 - DraftKings Nation - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- How a Bettor Turned $10 Into Over $18,000 With an NFL SGP Bet on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- Sportsbook News: Best Sports Online Betting & Odds - Yahoo! - January 25th, 2023 [January 25th, 2023]
- #1 Best Online Sportsbook | Reviews of US Betting Sportsbooks - January 25th, 2023 [January 25th, 2023]
- NFL Odds, Lines and Spreads - Sportsbook Review - January 25th, 2023 [January 25th, 2023]