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NHL betting in North Carolina

On this page, you’ll learn all there is to know about betting on the NHL in North Carolina. From popular betting sites in the state, to how you can get set up on these sites, this is your one stop shop for all things NHL betting in NC.

Brian Cass By: Brian Cass
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Table of contents

Best North Carolina betting apps for NHL betting

In North Carolina, several top betting apps offer extensive NHL betting options, each providing unique features and competitive odds to enhance your sports betting experience.

DraftKings North Carolina

DraftKings

DraftKings NC stands out for its comprehensive coverage of NHL games, including futures, live bets, and prop bets. Its user-friendly interface and live streaming service for certain events make it a go-to choice for hockey fans.

FanDuel North Carolina

FanDuel

FanDuel is favored for its intuitive design and varied betting options, which include puck line, moneyline, and over/under bets. It also offers enhanced odds and parlay insurance, adding extra value for NHL bettors.

BetMGM North Carolina

BetMGM

Known for its robust betting options, BetMGM offers detailed NHL market coverage. The app features easy parlay building and generous promotions, particularly for major events like the Stanley Cup.

Caesars North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars provides a premium betting experience with comprehensive NHL market options, including live betting. Its strong loyalty program rewards regular bettors, making it a lucrative option for long-term players.

Types of NHL betting promos that North Carolina sportsbooks offer

North Carolina sportsbooks offer a variety of NHL betting promotions to enhance the betting experience and provide extra value to bettors. These promos can significantly increase the chances of winning or reduce the risk involved.

  • Risk-Free Bets: Many sportsbooks offer risk-free bets as a welcome bonus for new users. This type of promo allows you to place your first bet up to a certain amount, and if it loses, the sportsbook will refund you in the form of site credit. This is a great way to try out NHL betting without the initial risk.
  • Odds Boosts: Odds boosts are promotions where the sportsbook offers increased odds for specific NHL games or events. This means higher potential payouts on bets that would normally have lower returns. These are often available for high-profile games, like those involving popular teams or during the playoffs.
  • Deposit Bonuses: Some sportsbooks offer deposit bonuses where they match a percentage of your deposit with bonus funds. For example, a 100% deposit bonus would double the amount you have to bet with. This can be particularly useful for betting on the NHL season, giving you more leeway to make larger or more numerous bets.
  • Parlay Insurance: Parlay insurance is a promo that refunds your stake if only one leg of a multi-leg parlay fails. This is ideal for NHL betting, where creating parlays can be particularly lucrative but also risky, given the unpredictability of games.
  • Seasonal Promotions: During the NHL season, especially during the playoffs and the Stanley Cup, sportsbooks often offer special promotions. These can include free bets, competitions, and enhanced odds on specific markets, all designed to attract more betting activity around these peak times.

How to wager on the NHL online in North Carolina

Wagering on the NHL online in North Carolina is a straightforward process, making it easy for fans to get involved and place bets on their favorite hockey games.

  1. Choose a Betting Site: Start by selecting an online sportsbook licensed to operate in North Carolina, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, or Caesars Sportsbook. Consider factors like betting options, user interface, and promotional offers to find the best fit for your betting style. Most platforms provide comprehensive NHL market coverage, from regular season games to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
  2. Register and Deposit: Create an account on your chosen sportsbook by providing necessary personal information like your name, address, and Social Security number for identity verification. Once registered, deposit funds into your account using available methods such as credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers. Look for initial deposit bonuses or promotions that can give you extra betting credits.
  3. Explore Betting Options: Familiarize yourself with the different types of NHL bets available, including moneyline, puck line, over/under, props, and futures. Each type of bet offers different risks and rewards, and understanding these can help you make more informed betting decisions.
  4. Place Your Bets: Once you've selected your game and decided on your bet type, place your wager. You can usually enter the amount you want to bet, and the sportsbook will show you the potential payout. Monitor odds as they can change quickly, especially as game time approaches and rosters are finalized.
  5. Follow the Game and Collect Winnings: After placing your bets, you can watch the games through live streams or follow updates via the sportsbook’s interface. If your bets are successful, your winnings will be credited to your account, which you can either withdraw or use to place additional bets.

Bet types you can place on the NHL

There are multiple types of bets you can place on the NHL, catering to different levels of risk and strategy. Each type offers a unique way to engage with the games and enhance your viewing experience.

  • Moneyline Bets: This is the simplest form of betting on the NHL, where you pick the team you believe will win the game outright. Moneyline bets do not involve point spreads; your selected team just needs to win for you to collect on your bet. This type of bet is straightforward and is a good starting point for beginners.
  • Puck Line Bets: The puck line is a form of spread betting specific to hockey. It typically sets the line at 1.5 goals, which means the favorite must win by at least two goals to cover the puck line, while the underdog will cover if they win outright or lose by only one goal. This bet introduces a margin of victory into the equation, offering higher payouts on favorites.
  • Over/Under (Totals) Bets: In this type of bet, you wager on whether the total number of goals scored by both teams will be over or under a specified number. This doesn't require picking a winner and can be a good option if you have a sense of the game's pace and offensive capabilities but are unsure about the outcome.
  • Prop Bets: Proposition bets, or prop bets, involve wagering on specific events that may not directly affect the game's outcome. Examples include betting on which player will score the first goal, the number of saves a goalie will make, or whether a game will go into overtime. These bets can add excitement and offer additional ways to win based on individual performances and statistical achievements.
  • Futures Bets: Futures bets are placed on events or outcomes that will be decided later in the season, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup or which player will win the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP). These bets are generally placed before the season starts or early in the season, offering potentially large payouts as they require predicting long-term results.
  • Parlay Bets: A parlay bet combines multiple bets on different games or outcomes into one wager. To win a parlay, all individual bets within it must be correct, which makes it more challenging but also significantly increases the potential payout.

Reading NHL odds

Understanding NHL odds is key to making informed bets. Here's how you can read and interpret these odds effectively.

  • Moneyline Odds: Moneyline odds are straightforward and indicate which team is favored to win and the potential payout. For instance, if the Carolina Hurricanes are listed at -150 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at +130, the Hurricanes are the favorites. To win $100 on the Hurricanes, you would need to bet $150. Conversely, a $100 bet on the underdog, the Lightning, would return $130 if they win.
  • Puck Line Odds: This is a form of spread betting specific to hockey. If the Hurricanes are favored by 1.5 goals with odds of -1.5 (+110), you're betting that they will win by at least two goals. The (+110) indicates that a $100 bet would earn $110 if the Hurricanes cover the puck line. If the puck line is +1.5 (-110) for the Lightning, you're betting they won't lose by two or more goals; here, a $110 bet yields $100 if successful.
  • Over/Under (Totals) Odds: Betting on the total number of goals scored by both teams combined, you might see an over/under of 5.5 goals for a Hurricanes game. If the odds are Over 5.5 (+100) and Under 5.5 (-120), betting $100 on more than 5.5 goals pays $100, while betting $120 on fewer than 5.5 goals would pay $100 if the under hits.

How to bet on the Stanley Cup & playoffs

Betting on the NHL Stanley Cup and playoffs involves a variety of strategies and bet types, each requiring careful consideration of team performance, historical trends, and current odds. Here’s a detailed guide to navigating these betting opportunities:

  • Futures Betting: This is one of the most popular methods for betting on the Stanley Cup. Futures bets are typically placed before the playoffs begin but can be made at any time during the season, with odds updating as the playoffs progress. You might bet on which team will win the Stanley Cup, with the potential payout varying based on the odds at the time of your bet. For instance, if a team is listed at +800 to win at the start of the playoffs, a successful $100 bet on that team would yield $800 in winnings.
  • Series Betting: Instead of betting on single games, you can bet on the outcome of entire playoff series. This type of bet asks you to predict which team will advance from each matchup, considering it's a best-of-seven format. Here, understanding team dynamics, home ice advantage, and head-to-head performance during the regular season can be crucial.
  • Game-by-Game Betting: Betting on individual games during the playoffs can involve various bet types, including moneylines (choosing the winner), puck lines (the point spread), and totals (over/under on total goals scored). Live betting—or in-play betting—also becomes particularly engaging during playoff games, as you can place bets based on the unfolding action.
  • Prop Bets: Proposition bets for the Stanley Cup and playoffs are highly specific and can include betting on which player will score the first goal, the number of goals a goaltender will allow, or whether a game will go into overtime. These bets often offer higher payouts due to their specific nature and difficulty to predict.
  • Parlays and Accumulators: These are more complex bets that combine multiple selections into one wager. To win a parlay, all selected bets must be correct. This can significantly increase the payout, but the risk is also higher as one incorrect selection will result in a loss of the entire bet.

Common mistakes when betting on the NHL

Betting on the NHL can be thrilling, but it's easy to fall into common pitfalls. Being aware of these mistakes can help you make more informed decisions and potentially increase your success rate.

  • Overvaluing Home Ice Advantage: While playing at home can be an advantage in the NHL, it's often less significant than in other sports. Bettors sometimes place too much emphasis on home ice, leading to skewed bets. It's important to consider the team's actual performance at home versus on the road rather than assuming they'll have a major advantage.
  • Ignoring Recent Trends: The current form of a team is crucial. Bettors sometimes base their decisions on the overall season performance or historical data without considering recent trends. Injuries, changes in lineup, or even a slump in performance can greatly impact outcomes. Always check the latest game stats and player conditions before placing bets.
  • Failing to Manage Bankroll: One of the biggest mistakes in betting is not managing your bankroll effectively. It’s essential to set limits on how much you bet per game and stick to a consistent strategy based on a percentage of your total bankroll. This prevents the risk of losing significant amounts quickly and helps sustain your betting activity over time.
  • Betting on Too Many Games: It's tempting to place bets on many games to increase potential winnings. However, this often leads to spreading your bankroll too thin and losing track of strategic bets. Focus on games where you have done sufficient research and feel confident about the information backing your bet.
  • Neglecting Special Teams Performance: The effectiveness of power plays and penalty kills can significantly influence a game's outcome. Bettors often overlook these aspects, focusing only on 5-on-5 play. Teams with strong special teams can capitalize on these opportunities, which can be critical in close games.

FAQ

Is NHL betting legal in NC?

Yes, NHL betting is legal in North Carolina. The state allows sports betting at licensed tribal casinos, where you can legally place bets on NHL games and other sports. However, there is no state-wide mobile or online sports betting outside of these locations as of now.

Who is the favorite to win the 2024 NHL Championship?

As of late April 2024, the Carolina Hurricanes are currently one of the favorites to win the NHL Stanley Cup, with odds listed at +470. They share the top spot with the Florida Panthers, who are also highly favored with similar odds​.

Author Details

Brian Cass

Brian Cass

Brian Cass is a seasoned writer and analyst at Betting NC, bringing you insightful commentary and data-driven perspectives on the ever-expanding landscape of sports betting across the U.S., with a special spotlight on the burgeoning North Carolina market. An avid sports fan and gambling enthusiast, Brian uniquely marries his two passions to deliver content that is both engaging and informative.