The North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCLC) has appointed Sterl Carpenter, a seasoned gaming industry professional with over 30 years of experience in the sector, as the Deputy Executive Director of gaming compliance and sports betting.
The appointment comes as the NCLC establishes a new department to oversee its sports betting program, a significant step forward in the state’s plan to launch its own regulated market. Carpenter’s expertise is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring smooth compliance and effective management of sports betting operations.
According to media reports, Carpenter will assume the responsibility of developing and managing sports betting regulations in North Carolina, as the state prepares to oversee an industry that was legalized by the general assembly earlier this year.
His appointment follows Governor Roy Cooper’s signing of the sports betting bill into law on June 14. The bill, known as HB 347, permits betting on horse racing, professional, college, and Olympic sports, as well as esports. Under the approved plan, which Cooper said will benefit the state’s economy “for generations,” gambling could begin as early as next January 8, and mid-June 2024 at the latest.
“After an extensive search, we have selected an experienced professional to serve in the newly created role of deputy executive director of gaming compliance & sports betting,” Mark Michalko, Executive Director of the N.C. Education Lottery, said in a press release.
“Carpenter has experience in all aspects of regulations and licensing as well as compliance. We’re pleased to have someone with Carpenter’s experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state.”
Having worked for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for the past eight years, Carpenter held the position of Sports Wagering Operations Manager in his most recent role and previously served as the Regulatory Compliance Manager.
Through its new sports betting legislation, North Carolina joins more than 30 states that have allowed online sports gambling in the five years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide ban in 2018. The state could generate about $100 million from sports betting by its fifth year, according to estimates.
North Carolina legislators are now discussing proposals that could see the authorization of as many as four new casinos and video gambling machines. The talks were confirmed by top General Assembly leaders last month, noting that while ideas and some potential bill language are being exchanged, legislators have yet to reach the level of formal legislation to be voted upon.
While the state currently has three casinos, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or the Catawba Indian Nation, the proposals would expand the offering at a point of increased competition from neighboring states.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2023/08/02/68157-gaming-expert-sterl-carpenter-joins-north-carolina-lottery-to-lead-sports-betting-department
