North Carolina Sports Betting: Legal NC Sportsbooks - Now Live

Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?

Legal online sports betting is now live in North Carolina, with eight legal online sportsbooks and three retail sportsbooks available within state lines. Allow us to help you learn everything you need to know to get started.  

For a deeper look at the legal status of sports betting in all 50 U.S. states, check out our legal sports betting state tracker.

NC sports betting updates

Legal sports betting has finally made its debut in North Carolina, just in time for March Madness! North Carolina sports betting apps and websites are officially live and taking bets from those who qualify. Refer to the table below for further details.

Notable North Carolina sports betting developments

Legal North Carolina online sportsbooks

Mobile sports betting is completely legal in North Carolina. Sports wagering regulations allow for up to 12 online sportsbooks, and there are currently eight available. Here are the online sportsbooks and betting apps that have been launched in North Carolina.  

Overview of sports betting in NC

North Carolina sports betting is now live! Wagers can be made either online or in-person at one of the Tar Heel state's three land-based casinos. Here is some key information to remember before placing a wager.

Mobile sports betting

Bettors within North Carolina can now participate in mobile sports betting from anywhere within state lines! The days of mandatory visits to brick-and-mortar sportsbook locations are gone, as even remote registration is conveniently available. All you need to do is provide government-issued identification to verify your account and you're all set.

Retail sportsbooks

Those who wish to place their bets in a traditional manner will still have the option of using retail sportsbooks. There are currently three locations throughout the state, with two being owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) as well as a third by the Catawba Nation tribe. The EBCI runs Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee, NC) and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino (Murphy, NC) while the Catawba Nation tribe has the Catawba Nation Two Kings Casino (Kings Mountain, NC).

Age and state requirements

Any U.S. citizen who is 21 or older can legally wager on professional and college sports. To prove your identity and citizenship, you will be required to submit verification documents — which can include any valid piece of government-issued identification such as a passport or driver's license. Most sportsbooks have very sophisticated geo-tracking technology, meaning you will automatically be stopped if you try to place a wager while physically outside of state lines.

Taxable winnings

Any bettor within North Carolina must pay tax on any profits made. The exact tax rate is subjective, based on a variety of factors including your personal income tax bracket and cumulative amount won. SBR has seen it range from 4.75% all the way up to 6%. To make things easier on yourself come filing season, we recommend keeping track of any winnings throughout the calendar year. Most apps will be able to help you with that, as all settled bets are typically tabbed within your bet slip.

Top North Carolina sportsbooks reviewed

FanDuel North Carolina Sportsbook 🔵

Due to the age-old FanDuel vs. DraftKings debate, North Carolina bettors may already be familiar with the former's line of DFS contests. FanDuel's partnership with the PGA Tour, coupled with the fact that it's licensed in every other state where sports betting is legal, certainly propelled the sportsbook towards receiving a North Carolina betting license.

What some novice sports bettors may not realize is that despite DraftKings large marketing budget, their app ratings actually rank behind FanDuel’s. Apple and Android users rated the app a 4.8 and 4.7, respectively, slightly ahead of DK. These two continue to go toe-to-toe for online betting market share.

However, what sets it apart are exclusive deals with professional sports leagues, live in-game video streaming of the day’s biggest events, same game parlays, and loyalty rewards. You can’t go wrong if you sign-up with FanDuel.

Currently, FanDuel is giving new users in North Carolina a chance to get started with minimal investment. Simply register for a new account, deposit money ($5 minimum), and place your first wager to earn $200 in bonus bets. Those who have redeemed the previously available pre-registration bonus are still eligible for this welcome offer.  

21+ and present in NC. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

North Carolina Sportsbook: FanDuel Review and FanDuel Promo Code

Caesars North Carolina Sportsbook 🏛

Caesars Sportsbook and sports betting app are among the highest-rated products in the United States. The same Caesars that you may have frequented in Sin City now offers the opportunity to wager on sports in more than a dozen states, and pre-registration is now open for North Carolina bettors looking to get started. Caesars has also partnered with the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission, meaning wagers can be placed with Caesars at one of the state's three land-based casinos as well.

It would have been quite shocking if Caesars was NOT one of the first sports betting sites licensed by North Carolina regulators. Their app is an incredible user experience, and customer support is easy to connect with on your time. Payouts take as little as just a few days. An official partnership with the NFL allows for football live-streaming, making Caesars one of the best NFL parlay betting sites.

Caesars is also rolling out the welcome mat in style for its North Carolina debut, allowing new users to get up to $1,000 in first-bet insurance. To collect, just use our unique Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 when you register. If your first bet on Caesars loses, you'll receive a refund in the form of a single bonus bet equal to your stake. 

Possible North Carolina Sportsbook: Caesars Review and Caesars promo code.

bet365 North Carolina Sportsbook 🟢

bet365, a well-known sportsbook headquartered in the U.K., is set to launch in its 10th state. In order to gain entry into North Carolina, a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets was established. If you qualify, feel free to pre-register with bet365 ahead of the March 11, 2024 launch date.

Bettors from North Carolina can expect a fairly smooth experience once bet365 begins to accept wagers. Frequent odds boosts, including multi-sport parlay boosts, are a hallmark of bet365's success and will keep you coming back for more.

This also includes welcome offers such as one of bet365's two registration bonuses. Simply create an account, enter the bet365 bonus code SBRBONUS during sign-up, and redeem one of two available registration offers. New users can either bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets OR receive up to $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

Either of these welcome offers can be paired with the pre-registration offer, for those who previously redeemed bet365's pre-registration bonus prior to March 11, 2024.  

North Carolina Sportsbook: bet365 Review and bet365 Promo Code

DraftKings North Carolina Sportsbook 👑

DraftKings Sportsbook made a name for itself over the past decade thanks to its industry leading daily fantasy sports contests. In fact, North Carolina bettors can already pre-register and compete in DFS competitions today. DK's in-state DFS presence, in addition to its partnership with NASCAR, resulted in the sportsbook becoming one of the first few operators to earn a North Carolina sports betting license.

DraftKings sports betting app is often credited with being one of the top-rated apps available in the United States, thanks to its best-in-class user experience and easy-to-contact customer service team. The number of micro-betting options can't be ignored as well, as its arguably DraftKings' best feature. Once you’re ready to cash out, the withdrawal process is seamless with most payouts hitting your account in less than a few business days.

New users of the North Carolina DK online sportsbook now have the opportunity to bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets thanks to DraftKings' newest welcome offer. Create an account and bet at least $5 to redeem your bonus bets. If you've already redeemed DK's pre-launch offer, you can still take advantage of the additional $200 in bonus bets awarded from the post-launch bonus.  

Possible North Carolina Sportsbook: DraftKings Review and DraftKings Promo Code

BetMGM North Carolina Sportsbook 🦁

Unlike FanDuel and DraftKings, the next two approved mobile sportsbook operators got their start in the Las Vegas desert. BetMGM has built a quality reputation on its retail casino, sportsbook and shows, but quickly became a fan favorite once it launched superior iOS and Android sports betting apps. Bettors from North Carolina can already download the app and pre-register.

BetMGM’s online sportsbook and sports betting app provides players odds for all the major sports leagues – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL – as well as odds for international sports like European soccer leagues, international tennis tournaments, and PGA tour events. It also caters to those looking for odds on the next UFC main event, heavyweight boxing bouts, and niche leagues like MLS and WNBA. It's also one of the best prop betting sites on the market today, and boasts a very generous rewards program.

The self-proclaimed “King of Parlays” offers more parlay options than any other site (or so they say). Eligible new users from North Carolina can earn up to $1,500 in bonus bets by using the BetMGM bonus code SBRBONUS during sign-up. Unfortunately, the current welcome offer cannot be claimed by anyone who pre-registered with BetMGM before March 11, 2024.

Possible North Carolina Sportsbook: BetMGM review and BetMGM bonus code.

When the first batch of legal online sportsbooks launch in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, they’ll be fighting hard to gain a strong market share. Operators in North Carolina will need to find unique ways to keep customers coming back.

Most online operators put themselves on the map by establishing a niche or sportsbook characteristic that sets them apart. For example, Fanatics' FanCash rewards system, which lets you cash in and receive prizes such as merchandise from your favorite team.

Fanatics North Carolina Sportsbook 🧢

Merchandising giants Fanatics are bursting onto the legal sports betting scene in a big way. After acquiring the U.S. business of Australian-based PointsBet, Fanatics is launching in more and more states all the time. They have already secured entry into North Carolina by partnering with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and pre-registration is now available. 

With a 4.7 sports betting app rating from Apple owners and 4.6 from those using Android devices, Fanatics’ street cred is up there with industry leaders like DraftKings and FanDuel. Their apparel partnerships with every major North American sports league prove they already know the sports industry inside and out.

Their addition of a legal online sportsbook has come pretty seamlessly. Fanatics is best known for its FanCash rewards program. It gives users a percentage of every bet back as FanCash, which can be cashed in for hats, jerseys, and other merchandise.

Fanatics' North Carolina registration offer is now live, awarding up to $1,025 in bonuses that will be evenly distributed over 10 days (a bonus bet match of up to $100 per day). To activate this offer, bettors must opt-in daily and place a qualifying offer of $5 or more. The amount of the qualifying offer (up to $100) will be matched each day in the form of a bonus bet.    

The extra $25 comes in the form is FanCash, which can be used to purchase team merchandise or other items from the FanCash Store. 

Possible North Carolina Sportsbook: Fanatics review and Fanatics promo code.

Other top NC sportsbooks to consider 👈

The North Carolina sportsbooks listed above may be the ones we found to be the strongest, but there are other worthwhile options to consider as well. 

ESPN BET is a solid alternative. Hallmarks include a sleek mobile app as well as plenty of daily odds boosts. Previous customers of Barstool Sportsbook, which became ESPN BET, will also be able to seamlessly transition to the new platform.

Underdog Sports has also secured a North Carolina license, and is already well-known to some North Carolina bettors thanks to its presence as a DFS platform. The post-launch registration bonus is generous, and the wide variety of betting markets is a crowd pleaser as well.

North Carolina retail sportsbooks

Retail sports betting was already legal in North Carolina. The state’s governor, Roy Cooper, signed a bill into law back in July of 2019 legalizing retail sports betting on tribal lands.

In the following years, North Carolina politicians tried desperately to pass a sports wagering bill not to lose tax money to neighboring states. They finally succeeded with Gov. Cooper signing bill HB 347 into law on June 14, 2023.

I now know which operators will be the first to be granted online sports betting licenses in North Carolina. The legislation allows for up to 12 licenses, but only eight were spoken for when North Carolina sports betting apps went on March 11, 2024. 

To date, only three retail sportsbooks are available:

North Carolina sports betting law

North Carolina sports betting law first made significant strides towards the legalization of online sports betting on Apr. 7, 2021. It was then that a pair of Senators, Jim Perry and Paul Lowe, initially introduced SB 688 which would have legalized online sports betting within state lines. After passing through both the Senate and the House, amendments were made and the bill failed to pass the final stages by a single vote (51-50).

Just under nine months later, on Mar. 13, 2023, Rep. Jason Saine introduced HB 347, which would authorize the legalization of up to 12 online sportsbooks and eight retail sportsbooks. After passing through the House in overwhelming favor (68-45 vote), Gov. Roy Cooper officially signed HB 347 into law on Jun. 14, 2023.

As of March 11, 2024, North Carolina bettors are now able to place sports wagers online from anywhere within state limits, including on in-state college teams! To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years of age or older.

Each sportsbook is paired with a professional sports organization, with current partnerships including big names such as:

• Charlotte Hornets
• Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Carolina Panthers
• McConnell Gold
• NASCAR
• PGA Tour
• Quail Hollow Club

North Carolina sports betting neighbors

South Carolina and Georgia have yet to legalize online sports betting; however, other neighbors did manage to beat the Tar Heel State to the punch. On the bright side, North Carolina is finally able to stop losing tax revenue as residents were previously making quick trips to neighboring states where online sports betting was already legal.

Tennessee sports betting operators went live in 2020 and now feature 12 mobile sportsbook options.  

Virginia sports betting followed suit in 2021, with the current market offering bettors 15 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps to choose from.

Kentucky sports betting finally became legal in 2023. Presently, there are only 7 online sportsbooks, but that number could easily grow as up to 27 licenses are up for grabs. 

How to bet on sports in North Carolina

Whether you’re eager to bet on the Panthers to win Super Bowl 59, Duke to win the ACC in basketball, Wake Forest to win the ACC in football, or ready to crown the Hurricanes Stanley Cup champions and back up that confidence with your wallet, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to get started now that online sportsbooks have launched in North Carolina.

1. Select a sportsbook licensed in North Carolina

The first step is to find an online sportsbook that suits your needs as a sports bettor. Lucky for you, SBR’s team of experts independently reviews dozens of legal online sportsbooks and sports betting apps. Be sure to read through the top-rated operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars. 

Once you’ve found a sports betting app you like, be sure to download it to your Apple or Android phone or tablet.

2. Register online

The next step is to register for a new account. This process has been streamlined in recent years and should take less than five minutes to complete. The operator will require you to provide some basic personal information like your full name, full home address, email address, date of birth and social security number. The social security number is used for several reasons including age and identification verification, but also helps cut down on fraudulent accounts being created in your name/email and abuse of welcome bonuses.

You’ll probably receive a verification email from the operator to authorize and activate your account.

Before you can proceed, create a unique username and strong password. The password is a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters which is typically 8+ characters long.

3. Deposit

After you complete the registration process, it’s time to fund your account. Visit the operator’s cashier’s page where you’ll sync your account wallet with your preferred banking method. This use to be the most painful friction point of online sports betting, but state regulators have become experts on making first deposits quick and easy. You’ll have several options of how to fund your sportsbook wallet from major credit and debit cards, to bank wire transfer as well as third-party wallets like PayPal and Skrill.

4. Select and finalize your bet

You’ve created your account, have a strong password, made a first deposit and claimed your welcome bonus. Now you’re ready to start betting! First, you’ll want to get acquainted with the layout of your new sportsbook and sports betting apps. Be sure to review all the betting markets and bet types available. Novice players should probably stick to sports they know and the three most popular bet types: moneylines, point spreads and point totals. Expert bettors can expand their horizons by dipping their proverbial toes into live in-game betting, parlays and same-game parlays.

Once you’ve built a bet slip, you can finalize your wager (or wagers) and click 'Submit' to officially enter your bet slip.

5. Win and withdraw your payout

Once you’ve strung together some wins and built up a lofty profit in your sportsbook wallet, you may want to request a withdrawal. To do this, simply visit the cashier – the same place where you made a first deposit – and request a payout. Banking methods on withdrawals vary by operator, but most allow for bank wire transfers and third-party transactions via PayPal and Venmo. If you do request a check by mail, keep in mind it could take up to 15 business days whereas digital payouts take less than 5 business days (on average) to clear.

North Carolina teams to bet on

The North Carolina sports heartbeat is strong, with teams like the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and the Carolina Hurricanes calling it home. With the recent green light on sports betting, game days are about to get even more electric. 

Fans can now back their favorite teams with more than cheers, as betting adds a new dimension to their support. 

The recent legislation isn't just about placing bets online. It's about bringing the action closer to the heart of the game. With provisions allowing for retail sportsbooks within 1.5 miles of the state's major professional sports venues, fans can soon experience the thrill of betting almost right next to their favorite team's home turf.

This close-knit setup will foster unique partnerships between teams and betting operators. Think special game-day promotions, exclusive bets, and more, all centered around North Carolina's beloved teams. Just remember to bet with your head, not your heart, when it comes to your favorite hometown team.

Carolina Panthers 🏈

The Carolina Panthers have had their share of highs and lows. They've been on the cusp of Super Bowl glory twice, but the Vince Lombardi Trophy remains elusive. They put up a decent 7-10 record in 2022, clinching 2nd in the NFC North. They will be hoping to improve upon that in 2023.

While their playoff memories date back to 2017, there's renewed optimism in the air. The 2023 draft brought a game-changer: Bryce Young, the standout quarterback from Alabama. With him on board, the Panthers' gridiron future is looking up.

Charlotte Hornets 🏀

The Charlotte Hornets, once under the watchful eye of basketball legend Michael Jordan, have navigated a sea of challenges. With MJ's 13-year reign as the majority owner now in the rearview, the team's journey has been marked by stretches of mediocrity. Their last playoff appearance was in 2016. 

A tough 27-55 record in the 2022-23 season, compounded by LaMelo Ball's injuries, didn't help. But the wind of change is blowing. After securing Alabama's Brandon Miller with the second pick in the 2023 NBA draft, there's renewed hope that the Hornets might soon buzz back into the thick of playoff action.

Carolina Hurricanes 🏒

The 'Canes clinched the Stanley Cup in 2006 and have been chasing that high since. An impressive 52-21-9 record in 2022-23 took them deep into the Eastern Conference Finals. 

They've made recent strategic moves off the ice, signing talents like Michael Bunting and Antti Raanta. Tony DeAngelo is back in the mix, and the team has locked in Sebastian Aho with a long-term deal. With their commitment to the fans cemented by extending their lease with PNC Arena, the future of hockey in North Carolina looks bright.

College Sports 🎓

We can't talk about North Carolina sports teams without mentioning NCAA basketball. The state is home to some of the best and most storied schools in the history of college hoops. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels command much of the attention, but the NC State Wolfpack, Duke Blue Devils, and Wake Forest Demon Deacons all boast formidable programs.  There may not be a more heated college basketball region in the entire country.

SBR North Carolina pro tip

There is one piece of advice all novice sports bettors should keep in mind. In my experience, wagering on your favorite hometown team isn't always the best move. It’s often smarter to bet with your brain than with your heart, as only wagering on your favorite Carolina teams is the quickest way to drain your bankroll.

Do your homework before the Panthers' next game: What is the weather going to be like? Are there any injuries that could impact the final score, and have any depth chart changes impacted the opposing team?  

North Carolina betting partners

North Carolina state regulations also require each sportsbook to form a partnership with either an in-state professional sports team (like the ones listed above) or a league/tournament such as NASCAR or the PGA Tour. Select sports-related locations count as well, including auto racing tracks and golf courses. Refer to the table below to discover the partners that North Carolina sportsbooks have paired up with so far.

Deposit and withdrawal methods for online NC sportsbooks

Most online North Carolina sportsbooks offer a variety of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Some payment options can be used for both, whereas some are only meant to deposit with and vice versa. Here are some of the different types of payment methods made available by North Carolina sportsbooks. Remember, not every sportsbook will accept every type of payment method.

North Carolina sports betting and the taxman

House Bill 347 charges a $1,000,000 licensing fee from each approved online sportsbook operator. Each legal sports betting site and/or app would be charged a 14% privilege tax on net gambling revenues. The tax is projected to generate nearly $43 million of extra revenue for the state by 2027-28.

Individual bettors will also have their winnings taxed. The exact rate is subject to which source you use. SBR has seen it range from 4.75% all the way up to 6%. However, individual bettors can offset their tax liability by keeping clean and accurate records of their betting activity, since losses can reduce one’s tax burden when it’s time to file.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is on record saying that sports betting belongs in the Tar Heel State. In an interview, he said, “It’s here whether we like it or not. It is about time for us to step up and do it.”

Other legal betting options in North Carolina

Traditional sports betting isn't the only way to get in on the wagering action in North Carolina. Allow us to break down the other options available for those looking to try their hand at something different.

College sports (NCAA) ✅

The latest bill, HB 347, allows sports betting on all professional and collegiate sports in the state. This means action on Wake Forest football, North Carolina State basketball, and the next Appalachian State feel-good story is eligible.

Their rivalry may not be what it once was, but Duke versus North Carolina college basketball remains a hot ticket in the Tar Heel State. Tobacco Road matchups on the hardcourt are often the most bet-on sporting events during the basketball season. Past versions of proposed sports betting bills prohibited wagering on college sports in and out of state.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) ✅

Daily fantasy sports is offered by operators like DraftKings and FanDuel as this variety of sports betting is technically already legal in North Carolina. While a specific bill was never passed regulating the DFS contests, bettors in the state may compete in daily fantasy competitions whenever they want and this will not change with the passing of HB 347.

Daily fantasy sports is offered by operators like DraftKings and FanDuel as this variety of sports betting is technically already legal in North Carolina. While a specific bill was never passed regulating the DFS contests, bettors in the state may compete in daily fantasy competitions whenever they want and this will not change with the passing of HB 347.

Horse racing ✅

Unfortunately, there are no physical race tracks located in North Carolina. That said, HB 347 permits pari-mutuel wagering at off-track betting (OTB) sites, available at any of the three retail casinos within state lines.

Casino ✅

There are three retail casinos for North Carolina bettors to attend if they wish to play any traditional casino games including slots and table games. This is currently the only available in-state option for casino games, as online casinos are not yet legal.

Poker ✅

Just like all other casino games, poker is only legal at one of the three approved land-based casinos. Beware of online poker sites that may claim to be legal in North Carolina, as that's not allowed at this point in time.

State Lottery ✅

The North Carolina Education Lottery was established in 2005, and continues to offer many fun draws that state residents can enter including a weekly 'Powerball' and 'Mega Millions'. There are also daily draws including 'Lucky for Life', 'Pick 3', 'Pick 4', and 'Cash 5'. State law dictates that all proceeds must directly support local causes including education as well as financial aid for college students and at-risk youth.

What’s missing from North Carolina sports betting?

Based on a general overview of HB 347’s contents, it appears most sports will be available to bet on by North Carolina players. However, as is the case with every other state where sports betting has been legalized, there are a few categories that will be off limits indefinitely.

Politics ❌

You can’t bet on political events in any state where sports betting is legal. This is a federal as well as a state level regulation. So, you will not be able to find odds to win the 2024 U.S. presidential election at any North Carolina sportsbook presently or in the future.

Entertainment award ceremonies ❌

Duke basketball entertained us with their own version of HBO’s Succession when Coach K finally retired and handed down the Blue Devils’ kingdom to Jon Scheyer. Still, it’s not legal to take your knowledge of HBO’s blockbuster series and wager on the cast to win an Emmy. Betting on entertainment award ceremonies like the Oscars and Grammys is not currently legal in the Tar Heel State. If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift and would bet $100 that she’d win Best Album, you’ll have to… shake it off.

eSports ❌

At present, betting on esports and professional video game tournaments is NOT legal. However, reading over the language of electronic sports betting in HB 347, it looks promising that eSports betting may now be allowed that the bill has passed.

Responsible North Carolina sports betting

The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission regulates North Carolina’s three retail sportsbooks. Now that HB 347 has passed, the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) would be in charge of sports betting regulation. The NCEL will oversee the application review process, granting licenses, performing audits, enforcing laws, and issuing fines as needed.

They’ll also be in charge of leading the way for all problem gambling initiatives. Responsible sports betting has been at the forefront of each state regulator’s mission statements and protecting the integrity of sports betting and those participating.

The NCEL will work with individual operators to encourage opt-in settings for problem gamblers or those looking to take control of their betting habits. In other states, operators allow users to set time limits on gaming sessions and set betting budgets in order to not drain their bankroll in a short period of time.

The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program has already been set up and provides resources to individuals and their family members seeking prevention and treatment options.

North Carolina gambling helpline: 1-877-718-5543

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in North Carolina

Before online sports betting was legal in North Carolina, some bettors were tempted to hitch their wagon to an offshore sportsbook. However, these illegal sites are not regulated or licensed by the Tar Heel State or the federal government. Some offshore sportsbooks have a reputation for poor security, account fraud, risky banking methods, scams, and not paying out winnings to players.

Here are just a few examples of SBR’s offshore sportsbooks to avoid and why they made our blacklist.