North Carolina online sports betting

If you are interested in North Carolina online sports betting, you are making the ideal connection. BettingNC.com provides all the information you will need to have a fun, safe, and potentially profitable sports gaming experience.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
Fact checked by: Gary Garry
Table of contents

Best North Carolina betting sites

North Carolina sports betting hasn't launched just yet, but these are the betting sites we expect to go live on the first day of legal sports wagering:

🏈 DraftKings North Carolina ⭐ Leading sports betting operator with a significant market share
🏈 Caesars North Carolina ⭐ Respected gaming company offering a high-quality player experience
🏈 FanDuel North Carolina ⭐ Dominant force in the US sports betting business
🏈 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
🏈 BetMGM North Carolina ⭐ Top operator with a well-refined and user-friendly product

DraftKings logo

DraftKings North Carolina

DraftKings will undoubtedly be 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.

Caesars Logo

Caesars North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook NC will attract 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.

FanDuel Logo

FanDuel North Carolina

The FanDuel North Carolina online sports betting site is a good bet to emerge as the leading revenue generator in the state. They are the single most dominant force in the American sports betting business.

ESPN Bet Logo

ESPN Bet North Carolina

It is very likely that ESPN Bet will offer online sports betting in North Carolina. They are now fully owned by PENN Entertainment, so they are backed by considerable resources, and they will provide another viable alternative.

Fanatics Logo

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics Sportsbook NC may join the party as well. They are relying on their name recognition among American sports fans to carve out a niche within the sports betting landscape.

BetMGM Logo

BetMGM North Carolina

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

Yes, online sports betting is legal in North Carolina. On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill (HB) 347, which legalizes sports and horse race betting in the state. These activities will officially become legal in January 2024.

Latest updates in NC sports betting

  • October 27, 2023 - The North Carolina Education Lottery Commission conducted a public hearing to devise new sports betting regulations. The Commission expressed its desire to launch sports betting swiftly and efficiently.
  • September 28, 2023 – The North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which is the regulatory body for sports gaming, confirms that sportsbooks must obtain partnerships with NC pro sports teams or venues.
  • September 5, 2023 – Gaming Laboratories International is engaged by the state to lend expertise as they work toward the online sports betting launch.
  • June 14, 2023 – Governor Roy Cooper signs HB 347, making sports betting legal in North Carolina. The law goes into effect in January 2024.
  • June 6, 2023 – Amendments to HB 347 made by the Senate are approved by the North Carolina House of Representatives.
  • June 1, 2023 – The Senate passes the amended sports betting legalization measure by an overwhelming 37-11 margin.
  • May 30, 2023 – HB 347 clears the Senate Finance Committee, and as a result, it can go to the floor for a full vote.
  • March 30, 2023 – HB 347 is passed by the House by a strong 64-45 majority. The bill moves along to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the governor.
  • March 13, 2023 – HB 347 is introduced by Representative Jason Saine. It would allow for legal online sports betting along with retail sportsbooks at the state’s pro sports venues, PGA Tour stops, and NASCAR event locations.

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 will translate the key points here.

First, you will have to 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 with a couple of exceptions.

Under the terms of the law, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission will be the regulatory body that will provide oversight. They have also been charged with the responsibility of creating all the specific rules and regulations.

This is no easy task, but they will be consulting with other states that have already legalized sports betting to gain insight. Urgency is built into the process because the Commission must complete its work by June 14, 2023.

However, this does not mean that the launch will not take place until that date. When sports betting is officially legal in January, theoretically, sports betting would be possible.

The Super Bowl takes place in February, and from a sports betting perspective, that is the biggest revenue-generating event by far. With this in mind, one would expect the Commission to do everything possible to launch sports betting before the big game.

There can be as many as 12 online sports betting sites in the state, and there can be eight retail sports betting outlets. These are the venues that can obtain physical sportsbook licenses:

  • Sedgefield Country Club
  • PNC Arena
  • Quail Hollow Country Club
  • Spectrum Center
  • Bank of America Stadium
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • WakeMed Soccer Park
  • North Wilkesboro Speedway

How to sign up for a North Carolina betting site

It is very easy to sign up for a North Carolina betting site. 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 will be sharing 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.

At the same time, a bet on your favorite team can make a good thing better. 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 at the venue in the near future.
  • 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 best teams in the NHL over recent years.
  • 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.
  • Duke Blue Devils – North Carolina is basketball country, and the Duke Blue Devils have been one of the most dominant 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. There will be plenty of bets placed when North Carolina is in action after the sports betting launch.

Typical promos on NC sports betting sites

If you have no idea what to expect when online sports betting comes 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 common promos you will see at North Carolina sports betting apps:

  • 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 sportsbook 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 sportsbook promo codes 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.

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 is North Carolina sports betting launching?

We don’t have a firm date to share at the present time, but it can be as soon as January 2023 and as late as June 14, 2023.

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?

No particular sportsbook is legal in North Carolina at the time of this writing because the activity is not formally legal until January 8, 2024. However, bet365 may be an option after the launch, and we will provide updates as they become available.

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.

Fact checked by: Gary Garry