North Carolina online sports betting

North Carolina sports betting is now live! BettingNC.com provides all the information you'll need to have a fun, safe, and potentially profitable sports gaming experience on one of the 8 live sportsbooks.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Table of contents
1 BetMGM
BetMGM review
Second Chance Bet Up To $1500
GET BONUS
(+7)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
2 FanDuel
FanDuel review
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
GET BONUS
(+5)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
3 Fanatics
Fanatics review
Get Up To $1000 No Sweat Bets
GET BONUS
(+6)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
4 Bet365
Bet365 review
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
GET BONUS
(+5)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
5 DraftKings
DraftKings review
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
GET BONUS
(+7)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
Popular Promo
6 Caesars
Caesars review
Second Chance Bet Up To $1000
GET BONUS
(+7)
Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.

Best North Carolina betting sites

North Carolina sports betting launched on March 11, 2024, and these are the betting sites that went live on the first day of legal sports wagering:

🏈 BetMGM North Carolina ⭐ Top operator with a well-refined and user-friendly product
🏈 FanDuel North Carolina ⭐ Dominant force in the US sports betting business
🏈 bet365 North Carolina ⭐ Wide range of non-traditional sports betting markets
🏈 DraftKings North Carolina ⭐ Leading sports betting operator with a significant market share
🏈 Caesars North Carolina ⭐ Respected gaming company offering a high-quality player experience
🏈 ESPN Bet North Carolina ⭐ Backed by PENN Entertainment, providing a viable betting alternative
🏈 Fanatics North Carolina ⭐ Utilizing name recognition to establish a niche in sports betting
🏈 Underdog North Carolina ⭐ Frequent DFS contests with massive prizes

BetMGM North Carolina

BetMGM North Carolina

The BetMGM North Carolina betting site will invariably be one of the top operators. The bookmaker is in the upper echelon in all of the other states that they have entered, and their product is well-refined and user-friendly.

FanDuel North Carolina

FanDuel North Carolina

The FanDuel North Carolina online sports betting site has emerged as one of the leading revenue generator in the state. The operator is consistently one of the top two sportsbooks by betting handle in states where sports betting is legal.

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics Sportsbook NC joined the party as well. The bookie is relying on its name recognition among American sports fans to carve out a niche within the sports betting landscape to compliment the company's sports apparel and merchandise operation.

bet365 North Carolina Logo

bet365 North Carolina

bet365 is based in the U.K. but has already made a strong impact across the United States as a reliable and easily navigable sports betting site. It is an excellent choice to use for sports that aren't as commonly wagered on in the U.S., such as cricket, handball, darts, water polo, and table tennis.

DraftKings North Carolina

DraftKings North Carolina

DraftKings is undoubtedly one of the leading sports betting operators in North Carolina. This is a familiar name that commands a significant market share all over the country and is held in high esteem for its live betting markets.

Caesars North Carolina

Caesars North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook NC attracts a lot of business as well. Caesars Entertainment is one of the most well-respected gaming companies in the United States, and they provide a high-quality player experience on every level.

ESPN Bet North Carolina

ESPN Bet North Carolina

While ESPN Bet is a relatively new sportsbook brand, the operation is owned by PENN Entertainment, so they are backed by considerable resources. They are one of the more notable names in the North Carolina sports betting market

Underdog North Carolina Logo

Underdog North Carolina

Underdog began as an NC daily fantasy sports site and has frequently offered season-long best ball tournaments with prizes reaching well into the millions. The sportsbook is an entirely new venture and North Carolina is the first state where Underdog's sports betting operation launched.

Yes, online sports betting is legal in North Carolina. On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill (HB) 347, which legalized online sports and NC horse race betting (in-person sports betting was already permitted at the state's casinos). The online launch occurred on March 11, 2024. There are currently 8 sportsbooks live in the state.

Latest updates in NC sports betting

  • November 12, 2024 - In October 2024, North Carolinians wagered over $600 million on sports, reflecting a significant increase in sports gambling interest since the state's online sports betting launch in March.
  • October 26, 2024 - A man from Mooresville, North Carolina, won $1 million, the largest prize ever awarded through digital instant games in the state's history.
  • October 16, 2024 - North Carolina ranks 11th among 27 states with an 18% tax rate on online sports betting, according to a Tax Foundation report, with sports wagering generating over $70 million in revenue in September 2024 and $12.6 million in tax revenue, benefiting education and job creation in the state.
  • October 9, 2024 - In September 2024, North Carolina's sports betting market saw a significant recovery with a $575.4 million handle and $70.1 million in gross revenue, a 107.4% increase from August, driven by the return of football season.
  • September 26, 2024 - The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has approved regulations for retail sports betting, moving the state closer to launching in-person sportsbooks, though a timeline for the rollout is still unclear. The commission also advanced regulations for esports betting, with a vote scheduled for later this month to potentially allow wagering on esports events in the state.
  • September 25, 2024 - North Carolina has surpassed initial sports betting tax revenue projections, collecting over $62 million in the first six months of operation, well above the estimated $36.1 million for the entire fiscal year.
  • September 18, 2024 - The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is considering adding retail sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering, opening a 30-day public-comment window for brick-and-mortar sports betting rules.
  • September 13, 2024 - A new WRAL News poll shows that North Carolina has wagered nearly $3 billion on sports since legal betting began, with the majority of bets coming from men aged 21 to 49.
  • September 9, 2024 - In August 2024, North Carolina's sports betting operators recorded their lowest hold since launch at 9.1%, generating $370.5 million in bets and $6.1 million in taxes, marking a decrease in betting activity from July but reflecting overall strong performance since the market's inception.
  • August 30, 2024 - North Carolina's sports betting market is expected to see increased revenue during the 2024 college football season, driven by the state's strong fan base and successful wagering on local collegiate teams, following a profitable start to the year.

From a legal perspective, the terms of the North Carolina sports betting laws are spelled out in the text of HB 347. The legalese is a bit difficult for a layperson to decipher, so we've translated the key points here.

First, you must be at least 21 years of age to place sports wagers in North Carolina. This is consistent with the minimum age in most of the other states with legal sports betting, though there a few states where 18 is the age requirement.

Under the terms of the law, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission is the regulatory body that oversees sports betting operations. They are also charged with the responsibility of creating all the specific rules and regulations for consumer safety and fair play.

This wasn't an easy task, but the commission was able to coordinate a successful online sports betting rollout on March 11, 2024. The launch date fell just before the ACC Men's Basketball Conference Tournament, a precursor to March Madness.

While the state missed out on considerable sports betting revenue by not being ready in time for the Super Bowl in February, going live ahead of the NCAA Men's and Women's basketball tournaments should set North Carolina up for strong betting totals in the first few months after launch.

State law allows for as many as 12 online sports betting sites in the state, and there can be eight retail sports betting outlets in North Carolina. There isn't a set date for expansion of in-person sports betting or for any additional sportsbooks to launch in the state, but BettingNC.com will continue to update with the latest developments in this area.

How to sign up for a North Carolina sportsbook

It is very easy to sign up for a North Carolina sportsbook. All it takes is a few steps, and it is similar to the process that you complete when you establish any type of online account. These are the steps that you take to create your account:

  1. Before you do anything else, click one of the links that we've shared to activate the welcome promotion for the NC sportsbook you choose.
  2. Then, follow the prompts to set up your account. This is a matter of filling in some fields with personal identifying information. The final step is a geolocation/identification verification that is required to comply with gaming laws.
  3. Thirdly, if you’re using your computer to sign up on the website, download the mobile app. The flexibility to bet when you are on the move is key, and you will be informed when in-app specials are rolled out.
  4. After that, it’s time to fund your account. They make it easy to put money into your account because all of the common methods are accepted.
  5. Finally, place a wager that complies with the terms of the welcome bonus, and you are in business.

Betting doesn’t necessarily revolve around your favorite teams. In fact, many would say that the best thing about sports betting is that it makes any game interesting, even if you aren't a dedicated follower of the teams you're wagering on.

At the same time, a bet on your favorite team can make a fun thing even more enjoyable. These are some of the most popular teams in North Carolina:

  • Carolina Panthers – The Panthers entered the NFL in 1995, and they have had a good bit of success over the years. Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is electric when the Panthers play at home, and fans will be able to bet on the Carolina Panthers at the venue beginning in the 2024-25 season.
  • Carolina Hurricanes – Back in 1997, the Hartford Whalers relocated to Carolina, and the Hurricanes were born. They won the Stanley Cup in 2005-2006, and they have been one of the strongest teams in the NHL over recent years, and wagering on the Carolina Hurricanes is pretty common in the NC betting market.
  • Charlotte Hornets – When the NBA expanded in 1988, the Charlotte Hornets joined the league. They changed their name to the Bobcats in 2004, but they brought back the original name in 2014. Betting on the Charlotte Hornets is incredibly popular in the state
  • Duke Blue Devils – North Carolina is basketball country, and the Duke Blue Devils have been one of the most dominant men's and women's programs in the country for decades. They also field a football team that has not enjoyed the same level of success.
  • North Carolina Tar Heels – The Tar Heels are basketball royalty, and their football team is usually competitive. Wagers on UNC will be popular throughout the year, but especially during the Men's and Women's NCAA Tournaments.

Typical promos on NC sports betting sites

If you have no idea what to expect now that online sports betting has come to North Carolina, you will be pleasantly surprised about one aspect. Promotions are abundant, and the operators compete for your business, so they try to outdo one another.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most common North Carolina sportsbook promos:

  • Second chance bets – With this type of promotion, you get a refund in bonus betting credit if you do not win your first wager. This type of offer is common as a sign-up bonus, and the maximum bet will often be $1,000 or more.
  • Deposit match bonuses – Sometimes a sportsbook will match your first deposit up to a certain percentage. The match comes in the form of bonus bets, and there will be a maximum. In some cases, the match will be 100%, and it can be even higher than that.
  • Guaranteed bonus bets – One of the best NC sports betting promos is the guaranteed bonus bet special. For instance, you may get $200 in bonus bets after you make a $10 qualifying wager, regardless of the outcome of the bet.
  • Boosted odds and enhanced payouts – Operators will increase the odds in favor of the player for certain select wagers. A similar offer will pump up your payout by a certain percentage if you connect on a parlay with certain elements.
  • Instant early payouts – At times, a sportsbook will settle a bet as a winner if the side that is picked goes ahead by a certain amount.

These are a handful of different types of NC sports betting bonuses that you may see, and you never know what they will come up with next.

Retail sports betting locations in North Carolina

There have been three tribal casinos in the state of North Carolina for years. In 2021, two of the three opened sportsbooks, and the third joined the group in September 2022.

The state's betting laws allow for up to eight retail sports betting locations in the state, though other than the casinos, no other brick-and-mortar location has opened. There is also no timetable for future in-person sports gambling expansion.

These are the current retail sports betting locations in North Carolina:

Catawba Two Kings Resort 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, North Carolina
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley Hotel & Casino 777 Casino Parkway, Murphy, North Carolina

FAQ

When did North Carolina launch online sports betting ?

North Carolina online sports betting launched on March 11, 2024. bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog were the first online sportsbooks to go live in NC.

What is the age requirement for sports wagering in NC?

You have to be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in North Carolina.

Who oversees sports betting in North Carolina?

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is the regulatory body for sports betting in North Carolina.

Do I have to pay taxes on winnings from betting in NC?

Yes, gambling winnings are considered to be taxable income, and you have to claim them when you file your returns. However, you can also claim losses if they are used to offset net winnings.

Can I bet on college sports in North Carolina?

Yes, you can bet on college sports in North Carolina under the terms of HB 347.

What is the estimated tax revenue from sports betting in NC?

The estimated tax revenue from sports betting in North Carolina is $71 million annually by mid-2028.

Is bet365 legal in North Carolina?

Yes, bet365 is legal in North Carolina. The operator joined FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Underdog, ESPN Bet, and Fanatics as the operators that launched in NC on March 11, 2024.

Are daily fantasy sports legal in North Carolina?

Yes, daily fantasy sports contests are legal in the great state of North Carolina.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley serves as editor and author for Betting NC. With a background that includes over 10 years of providing commentary for junior hockey leagues nationwide. Outside of his writing on sports betting, Dan loves to unwind by going fishing or catching an NHL game.