SENIOR GAMES
Early bird registration
Early bird registration for the Cherokee/Clay County Senior Games starts Monday and will conclude Sunday, March 17. Early bird registration is $10. To attend the closing ceremony is an extra $5 for participants and $15 for guests.
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After the early bird period, registration will be $15 until most events begin. Bowling, bocce ball and air rifle target shooting have a deadline of April 19, while the registration deadline for pickleball is May 5.
Two new events will be introduced this year: billiards and air rifle target shooting. For air rifle target shooting, Senior Games officials have partnered with the American Legion in Hayesville to run the event.
The Senior Games will kick off with the opening ceremony at the Clay County Recreation Center in Hayesville at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20. Following the opening ceremony, the first events will be held: fun walk, football throw, softball throw, basketball shooting, shot put and discus.
Details: Visit cherokeecountyseniorgames.org, email cherokeeclaycosrgames@gmail.com, or call 828-837-2467 or 727-470-7947.
GAMBLING
8 are placing bets on N.C.
Account pre-registration is available for multiple mobile sports betting companies. Mobile sports betting account pre-registration began Friday, while users can begin placing wagers next Monday.
Eight companies have received N.C. online sports betting licenses and are expected to launch on March 11: bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, ESPN BET, Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise and Underdog Sports.
Until then, there are three legal sportsbooks in the state; Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
During a General Assembly meeting on May 31, 2023, officials estimated that sports wagering tax and fee revenue will be $74.5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Prior to the launch of mobile sports betting, many companies have partnered with sports venues and teams. For example, on Jan. 5, BetMGM partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway; and on Dec. 15, 2023, Fanatics announced they will partner with the Carolina Hurricanes as sports betting partners.
Compiled by Sports Editor Cannon Crompton. Email your Sports Shorts to sports@cherokeescout.com.