Online gambling laws in North Carolina explained
Before we look at specific online betting sites you can try in North Carolina, it’s important to understand how gambling works in the state and what you can and cannot do. I’ve given you a complete breakdown of the popular forms of online gambling and gaming, and their legal status, below:
| Online Gaming Activity | Legal Status |
| Sports Betting | Legal |
| College Sports Betting | Legal |
| Online Casinos | Illegal |
| Sweepstakes Casino | Legal |
| Lotteries | Legal (state) |
| Horse Racing | Legal but not available |
| Poker | Illegal |
The Tar Heel State remains relatively progressive when it comes to forms of gaming, but like many other states, real money online casinos and poker are illegal. However, the great news is that betting sites in North Carolina are completely legal since 2023. In-person sports betting was legalized back in 2019, but it wasn’t until a bill was passed into law in June 2023 that online betting followed suit. From there, the first online sportsbooks launched in March of 2024.
How to pick the best sportsbook in North Carolina
Some North Carolina sportsbooks are better than others, and during my time testing them, I’ve come to realize that there are some simple features you can look for to determine which ones are the top contenders:
🏅 Sports Markets
This depends on the sports you enjoy, but regardless, I think top sportsbooks offer both US pro leagues like the NBA and MLB, but also amazing support for global sports and leagues in different regions.
🎲 Betting Variety
All the main bets should be available, such as singles, parlays, and same game parlays. There should also be a fantastic props betting variety for teams and players.
⚡ Live Betting
The best North Carolina sportsbooks feature in-play betting for all the sports they provide, plus have in-game statistics and play-by-play coverage.
📱 Accessibility
Mobile gaming is essential for me, so I always check the quality of the downloadable mobile apps and make sure the Android version is up to scratch.
🎉 Promotions
I always look for the welcome bonus first, to see what I’ll get when I sign up for a new NC site. I’ll then check out things like rewards schemes and promos for existing customers.
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
- Advanced bet features like parlay boosts
- Over 30 sports to wager on
- Competitive odds
- 20+ sports to bet on
- Live sports betting available
- Competitive odds across its markets
Pros and cons of North Carolina sportsbooks
Similar to Virginia sportsbooks, while I’ve always had fun with NC betting sites, there are some potential drawbacks to consider, and I think it’s a great idea to have an unbiased overview. So, I’ve summarized their pros and cons here:
- Excellent mobile support
- Massive welcome bonuses
- Lots of promos for existing customers
- Support for NC teams
- Wide betting variety
- Limited college bets
- Site designs can be confusing
Five North Carolina sportsbooks you should try today
Like I did in my Tennessee sportsbooks review, I’ve recommended five top North Carolina sportsbooks below. I’ve had personal experience with each of these sites, and think they will give you a superb online betting experience so you can support your favorite teams like the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Hornets.
| North Carolina Sportsbooks | Welcome Bonus |
| Caesars | 10x 100% profit boost tokens of up to $25 each, for a $1 bet. |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, and if it wins, get $300 in bonus bets. |
| bet365 | Bet $5, whether it wins or not, get $200 in bonus bets. |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, if the bet wins, get $300 in bonus bets. |
| BetMGM | Get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses. |
Caesars - NFL official partner
Caesars Sport In A Nutshell
Caesars does things differently with its welcome bonus, and you can get 10x 100% profit boost tokens of up to $25 each. All you need to do to get this cracking NC welcome offer is sign up, use the [promo code] promo code, and deposit and wager $1. The profit boost tokens can be used on whatever sport you want! I also love this North Carolina sportsbook for the incredible Caesars Rewards program, which can unlock discounts and perks for their resorts and physical casinos.
Big time NFL fans will love the support Caesars has for this sport and league, and being the official NFL partner, you can even live stream some of the events in the app. I always see special bets and picks for upcoming NFL matches. For example, at the time of writing this guide, they had some Thursday Night Football specials, including Same Game Parlay picks for the Vikings vs. Chargers.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Register'.
- Enter your personal details, including your social security number, email address, and telephone number.
- Tick the age verification and T&Cs boxes.
- Activate your account via the verification email sent after you completed registration.
FanDuel - great for PGA golf
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
FanDuel kicks things off with a superb welcome bonus that can get you up to $300 in bonus bets. To get the generous welcome bonus, simply register a new account, deposit $5, and wager it. If your bet wins, the $300 in bonus bets are yours to use on whatever sport you want! I’m impressed with the US pro league support that FanDuel offers, especially for the MLB and NHL.
However, I also think this is one of the better sites for PGA golf. For those who are die-hard golf fans, the site also covers not just the major tournaments like the U.S. Open, but also all the other PGA events like the Bank of Utah Championship, WWT Championship, Butterfield Bermuda Championship, and the Black Desert Championship.
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
BONUS
bet365 - superb mobile betting
Bet365 Sport In A Nutshell
bet365 is the place to go if you’re a European soccer fan. They offer extensive MLS bets too, but there are loads of options for the major European tournaments like the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League. I also thoroughly enjoy the team and player props they have for individual matches, where you can bet on things like the number of goals players might score.
To kick things off with this NC sportsbook, you can bet $5, and whether it wins or loses, you get $200 in bonus bets! This is easily one of the best welcome bonuses I’ve seen, and it gives you brilliant value for your money. bet365 also has amazing mobile apps for both Android and iOS - I’ve used the Android version for a long time now, and I enjoy the in-play betting experience for soccer matches.
How To Sign Up
- Click on "Join".
- Provide your personal details
- Confirm your email address by clicking on the link sent by Bet365.
- Choose a payment method and deposit the desired amount.
- Browse available sports and events, and place your bets.
BONUS
DraftKings - profit boosts on multiple sports
DraftKings Sport In A Nutshell
DraftKings is one of the best California sportsbooks, and it’s also great for Tar Heel State residents, especially for those who like getting more for their money. Whenever I log on to my account, I see heaps of profit boost tokens for different sports. For instance, while writing this review, there was a profit boost token for NBA live parlays, and up to 30% profit boosts for the MLB World Series.
This NC operator also covers both US pro leagues and global sports - you’ve got loads of markets and bet types for sports like soccer, tennis, golf, and rugby. If you fancy giving DraftKings NC a try, just tap the links or banners on this page. If you do, you can then deposit and wager $5, and if your bet wins, you get a massive $300 in bonus bets!
How To Sign Up
- Visit the DraftKings website or download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button, usually located in the upper right corner of the website or app.
- Enter your personal details and choose a unique username.
- Create a secure password. It must be at least 10 characters long and include at least one letter, one number, and one special character.
- Click “Create Account” or “Continue” to finalize the registration process.
BONUS
BetMGM - NBA action at its finest
BetMGM Sport In A Nutshell
I’ve been a lifelong NBA fan, so BetMGM has been one of my top NC sportsbooks for some time now due to the huge support it has for the league. You can bet on all the Summer League, pre-season, regular season, and playoffs action, plus basketball from around the world, including Eurobasket and FIBA. I love the betting variety they have for individual matches, too.
For example, I looked at a game between the OKC Thunder and Pacers, and there were 50+ betting markets, including same-game parlays and player props on things like points and assists. If you want to get started here, you can enjoy a risk-free first bet of up to $1,500 for your welcome bonus, plus you’ll also unlock features like the legendary MGM Rewards program.
How To Sign Up
- Begin Registration: Click the gold ‘Sign Up’ button on the top right of the homepage.
- Enter your personal details including your email, address, mobile number, and SSN digits.
- Click “Send me a code” to verify your phone number and pre-fill some details automatically.
- Complete Registration: Click the gold ‘Complete registration’ button at the bottom of the form to finish the sign-up process.
BONUS
Start exploring NC online sports betting now and support your favorite team
I think North Carolina sportsbooks will only continue to get better from this point onwards, and they already have superb foundations with the amazing brands that operate here. Tar Heel State residents have access to some of the best US online sportsbook operators that give you the freedom to bet on top NC teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes.
If you’ve enjoyed my guide and have been thinking about giving sports betting a try, you can click the banners or links on this page to give one of my recommended online betting sites a try. Depending on what you want, your budget, and the sports you follow, I believe that DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, and bet365 are the top sportsbooks this state currently offers.
Try these top betting bonuses
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
Betting sites in North Carolina FAQs
Can you win real money from North Carolina sportsbooks?
Potentially, yes! It’s never guaranteed, but if you are an NC resident and over 21, you can legally register at NC sportsbooks like DraftKings, deposit real money, and then make real money wagers on sports events. If your bet wins, you will get a real money payout - easy!
Are sportsbooks legal in North Carolina?
Yes! Online sports betting was legalized in North Carolina in June 2023 when a bill was passed and signed into law. The first online sportsbooks launched in March 2024, and from that point, you have top US brands like DraftKings and FanDuel that operate here.
What betting sites are legal in North Carolina?
DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, bet365, and Caesars are all legal for North Carolina residents to sign up at. You have to be over the age of 21 and a resident of the Tar Heel State to legally register an account and make real money bets at these sites.
Which is the best online sportsbook in NC?
This depends on the sports you follow and the types of bets you like making! My first pick is BetMGM, but this is because I’m a big NBA fan and I love the betting selection they have for basketball games. Other sites like DraftKings, bet365, FanDuel, and Caesars are also well-equipped and have loads to offer for NC residents.