Underdog partners McConnell Golf for North Carolina sports betting

Fantasy sports operator Underdog Sports has agreed a deal to launch its first sports betting product in North Carolina through a partnership with McConnell Golf, owner of Sedgefield Country Club.

Underdog is one of nine sportsbook operators to submit applications to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which confirmed Wednesday that mobile sports betting will launch on 11 March.

Under the state’s regulations, sportsbooks are required to partner with an in-state entity to receive a licence.

Sedgefield Country Club will host the annual PGA TOUR Wyndham Championship, with this year’s event beginning on August 7.

“Underdog is thrilled to launch our betting games in North Carolina in partnership with McConnell Golf,” said Underdog Sports founder and co-CEO Jeremy Levine. “We’ve spent the last four years building our own technology so we can give sports fans in America new and different ways to enjoy the sports they love.

“We’re excited to be able to offer that to North Carolinians and look forward to evolving the experience with them. This partnership was conceived with fans in mind. We’re looking forward to working with McConnell Golf to bring people together to experience their premier club properties.”

McConnell Golf chief operating officer Christian Anastasiadis commented: “McConnell Golf is thrilled to welcome Underdog Sports as our official sports betting partner. Underdog is the fastest growing fantasy sports company ever - that is impressive.

“We too believe in thinking differently and challenging the status quo, and there is a lot of star power behind the Underdog Fantasy app. I truly believe we found the right partner.”