HomeNorth Carolina Online Casinos

Online casinos in North Carolina

North Carolina saw a successful rollout of online sports betting in March 2024, and a profitable stretch in the first few months could convince legislators to expand online gambling laws and NC online casinos to operate in the state.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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In this piece, we’ll lay out what a potential online casino landscape would look like in North Carolina as well as the path to forming such an industry.

No, online casinos are not legal in NC. When the North Carolina Legislature approved House Bill 347 to legalize online sports betting in NC, there was nothing in the bill that would’ve permitted online casino play, which also includes NC online poker sites.

Casino gambling in North Carolina is limited to the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos: Catawba Two Kings Casino in King’s Mountain, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy.

Best North Carolina online casinos

Once the state legislature passes a new online gambling bill, many of the best online casinos will flock to North Carolina to be ready for the launch.

Here are some of the best North Carolina online casinos that will probably come.

🎰 BetRivers Casino North Carolina ⭐ Highly regarded casino platform in the US
🎰 DraftKings Casino North Carolina ⭐ Best for online table games and exclusive slots
🎰 FanDuel Casino North Carolina ⭐ Largest library of online slots with top customer service
🎰 Fanatics Casino North Carolina ⭐ Exciting cashback rewards with "FanCash"
🎰 BetMGM Casino North Carolina ⭐ Top loyalty program with vast gaming library

BetRivers Logo

BetRivers Casino North Carolina

BetRivers Casino is one of the more popular online casinos in the US. It was founded at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and is currently available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia.

The casino platform is held in even higher regard than BetRivers’ sports betting platform, and North Carolina would benefit from both options being available.

DraftKings Casino North Carolina Logo

DraftKings Casino North Carolina

With its roots in daily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions, DraftKings is relatively new to the casino space.

In fact, it wasn’t until DraftKings acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming in May 2022 that DK Casino was even a consideration. However, since then, it has become one of the best places to play online table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as online slot exclusives such as 2 Tribes, Hippie Chicks, and Monster Mash.

FanDuel Casino North Carolina Logo

FanDuel Casino North Carolina

FanDuel also started as a DFS platform but has expanded to cover many forms of e-gaming, including having one of the largest libraries of online slots anywhere.

It is one of the fastest-growing online gambling operators in the U.S. and delivers outstanding customer service.

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics Casino North Carolina

Fanatics is in the process of converting all of PointsBet’s US operations, meaning the casino platform will likely fall under the Fanatics branding umbrella as well.

The FanBet reward program offers up to 5% cashback in “FanCash” on every bet, and a similar reward program could be implemented on the casino side to boot.

BetMGM Casino North Carolina Logo

BetMGM Casino North Carolina

The online platform of the MGM casino empire, BetMGM features one of the top loyalty programs in the industry as well as an expansive gaming library of live dealer games, exclusive jackpots, team-branded slots, and table games.

How will I be able to sign up for NC online casinos?

Once online gambling platforms are permitted to set up shop in the state, you’ll be able to sign up for NC online casinos in 10 minutes or less. Regardless of the operator, the signup process will look something like this:

  1. Navigate to the registration page: To ease up this process for you, we’ll create reviews for each legal online casino operator in North Carolina with direct links to their sign-up pages. This will also grant you access to exclusive promo codes and welcome offers to make the most of your gambling experience.
  2. Input your account information: Next, you’ll need to come up with your unique username and an account password. You may also need to provide a mobile phone number that will be used for two-factor authentication when you try to log in. The casino may also have you select a security question and provide an answer to better protect your account.
  3. Enter your personal information: After that, you’ll be prompted to enter some identifying information, including your legal name, street address, and birth date, as they all appear on your government-issued ID. You’ll also need to enter the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  4. Verify your info and accept the terms: Finally, you’ll need to check a few boxes that confirm the information you entered is correct and that you agree to the terms of service. You’ll also need to verify that your job doesn’t prohibit you from online gambling, as some professions will be outright excluded under state law.

What kinds of bonuses will North Carolina casino sites offer?

North Carolina casino sites will offer bonuses for both new and returning players to keep players coming back for more. Here are some of the top NC online casino bonus offers you’ll see once online gambling goes live in NC.

  • Sign-up bonus: A sign-up bonus, or “welcome offer,” is a promotion that is exclusively available for new users on the site. For this reason, we recommend waiting to sign up for a casino site until it is live, as you will not be eligible for a sign-up bonus if you already have an account, even if you set it up in another state.
  • Free spins: Free spins are a slot lover’s dream, allowing chances to win money without needing to tap into their bankroll. Spins will sometimes be slot-specific, so be sure to check to see what terms and conditions may apply.
  • Deposit match bonus: A deposit match bonus is one of the most frequently offered sign-up bonuses, giving users bet credits on the site at a 100% match to the amount deposited into the casino account. These credits have an expiration date that is usually seven days after depositing your funds, so be sure to use them when they are there.
  • No-deposit bonus: The opposite of a deposit match, a no-deposit bonus is a promotion where the casino platform awards you play credits without needing to finance your bankroll. This is one of the rarest bonuses out there, but if you see one, grab it.

Do casino promos always need bonus codes?

No, casino promos don’t always need bonus codes, but many online gambling operators will offer codes for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes, these codes unlock more lucrative bonuses than what is publicly available, while other times, they may be tied to certain regions or states as an exclusive offer.

BettingNC.com will list all available bonus codes for North Carolina online casino sites once online gambling is legal and live in the state.

What terms and conditions could be present for online casino promos in NC?

From what we’ve seen in other states, we can anticipate the following terms and conditions will be present for online casino promos in NC following the launch of online gambling in North Carolina.

  • Age requirement: Online casino promos will only be available for players who are at least 21 years old. North Carolina state law will likely carry the same age restrictions as for online sports betting. Other states all carry a 21+ rule, so a deviation to 18+ is unlikely.
  • Usage requirement: Bonuses will be limited to one offer per person. While certain offers may apply to more than one game, the overall offer will be a one-time use. Additionally, perks like bet credits or free spins may expire after a certain time if unused.
  • Geolocation requirement: Players will need to be physically located in North Carolina to be eligible for the bonus.
  • Exclusions: Players must not be on any exclusionary lists in North Carolina or in other states that allow gambling. Most of the time, these are related to your job, though other factors could be at play.
  • Payout rules: Bonus bets and free spins will have at least a 1x playthrough requirement before you are able to access any winnings.
  • Casino rules: The online casino will reserve the right to change or modify the rules of any promotion at any time, with or without notice. The casino also may exclude players who are suspected to have tampered with the games or cheated in any other way.

What games will NC casino apps have?

Because they won’t have the same physical space limitations, online casinos can offer far more games of every type than what you might see at a brick-and-mortar facility. Here are some of the top games NC casino apps will have.

  • Online slots: Online slots carry the widest selection of games at casino sites, accounting for around 70% of all titles, and with the various themes and designs available, new titles are available on an almost daily basis. Also, because slots don’t require the same knowledge of strategy as some other table games and poker variations, they are incredibly popular among newer players.
  • Blackjack: Also called “21,” Blackjack is an iconic casino game where players try to get their hands as close as possible to a sum of 21 without going over. If their hand beats the dealer’s hand, the player wins. Keep in mind the table works together to beat the dealer, and you don’t need to worry about scoring a higher hand than another non-dealer player. By using what is known as “basic strategy,” you can give yourself one of the highest return-to-player rates of any casino game.
  • Roulette: Roulette is another casino staple, with the focus on predicting which slot a ball will fall into on a numbered rotating wheel. Players can choose whether to pick a range of slots or a specific number, a color (red, black, or green), odd or even, or some combination of the above. Variations include multi-wheel, multi-ball, live dealer, 3D roulette, and more.

Help for playing on gambling sites in NC

Once online gambling is permitted in NC, you may find the following tips helpful when playing on gambling sites.

  • Set money and time limits: You may have heard the betting proverb “Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.” While we often think about this in terms of money, thinking about it in regard to time is important as well. It can be easy to lose track of time while playing, especially if you’re on a winning streak, so knowing when to walk away will set you up for success.
  • Don’t chase losses: One of the quickest ways to run into problem gambling is when you “chase losses,” or place larger and riskier bets in an attempt to win back money that was lost. This can quickly turn into a vicious cycle that burns through your bankroll. A great way to avoid this is to realize when you’re at an emotional extreme, either positive or negative, and stop playing when you’re at that limit.
  • Try different games and platforms: There’s no rule that says you can only use one of the online casino platforms, or that says you can only use your favorite gambling operator to play one game. You can use this to your advantage by securing bonuses from each of the NC betting sites to boost your bankroll and find what games, user experiences, loyalty programs, and other factors will appeal to you when deciding where to play.
  • Practice strategies on the free-to-play games: Especially when trying new games but also when employing new betting strategies, testing things out on the free-to-play versions of games (when available) will not only help you become a better player but also protect your bankroll. Whenever possible, you should avoid using new strategies without testing and practicing them in some capacity.

Pros and cons of gambling online in NC vs. in-person gambling

Gambling online holds some unique advantages over traditional in-person gambling, but there are a few drawbacks to using such sites. Here are a few of the pros and cons for each.

Pros of online gambling

  • Convenient: While traveling to a traditional casino requires time and gas money, online casinos allow you to play from virtually anywhere and at any time. As long as you’re in a state where online gambling is legal, you’ll be able to play on nearly any device with an internet connection.
  • Wider selection: In-person casinos will have a wide selection of games available, but because they are limited by floor space, there are only so many they can fit in the building. Online casinos have as many games as their service space allows, which means you can see far more expansive lists of games when choosing what to play.
  • Bonuses are available: Have you ever walked into an in-person casino, sat down with chips to buy into a game, and the casino gave you double the chips before you played? We’d be quite surprised if that happened to you, but with online casinos, such an occurrence would be much more commonplace. Whether it’s bonus bets, free spins, deposit matches, or other promotions, you’ll seldom find the same perks and bonuses in person as you would online.

Cons of online gambling

  • Atmosphere: Some people just enjoy sitting around a blackjack table meeting new people and trying to beat the dealer. While some online casinos will have live dealers to allow for a bit more interaction, you just don’t get the same ambiance as you would in person.
  • Higher risk of poor bankroll management: It’s pretty easy to see when your stack of chips is sinking while sitting at a casino table, but online, it can be easy to reload your account without thinking about how much you’ve lost.
  • Distractions: How many times while reading this article did you look at a notification on your phone, change the song you were listening to, or switch to another browser tab to check your email? Don’t worry, we’re not mad. There are countless distractions when you’re at home or on the go and trying to play, but when you’re at a casino, it’s often far easier to retain focus.

How will you be able to pay North Carolina gambling sites?

Similar to our stance of “more bonuses = better platform,” the more ways you will be able to pay at gambling sites in North Carolina, the more positive your player experience is likely to be.

By having multiple banking options available, gambling operators show they want their online casinos to be convenient and player-friendly. You shouldn’t have to worry about signing up for a new payment method to be able to play.

Here are a few of the top options we expect will be available.

Deposit

  • Credit/debit cards: Credit and debit cards will be accepted at most online casinos and are one of the most convenient ways to finance your account. Gambling operators will never charge your cards without your permission. Additionally, you may be able to withdraw your winnings directly to a debit card on some sites.
  • PayPal: PayPal is another commonly accepted payment method that has a long history as an online payment portal among e-gaming operators. It is particularly popular in the sports betting space, and bettors who use PayPal at sportsbooks will likely use this method for online casinos as well.
  • Online banking: Linking your bank account to an online gambling operator is a quick and convenient way to manage your money. While it may take a phone call with your bank to confirm the setup, deposits into your casino account will be instantaneous, and withdrawals are often quicker than other methods.

Withdrawal

  • Play+ Card: A Play+ card functions almost as a hybrid between a gift card and an ATM card. There are a limited number of places where the card can be used to fund a transaction, and you’ll be able to withdraw your winnings at an ATM. You’ll also be protected in case something happens to the physical card.
  • Check: If time isn’t as important of a factor when getting your winnings, many operators will still send you a paper check through the mail. This method tends to have the longest withdrawal time, ranging from 3-15 days.
  • Venmo/Skrill/Apple Pay/Google Pay: E-wallets like Venmo, Skrill, Apple Pay, and Google Play are somewhat rare for e-gaming platforms to accept, but they are becoming a bit more common. By the time North Carolina launches online gambling, there’s a good chance all of these will be accepted by the top operators.

How we will rank NC online gambling operators

Once online gambling arrives in North Carolina, we will thoroughly review each casino that obtains a license and goes live in the state.

We will also assess an overall “score” of the site to help you decide which platforms are right for you. The ranking of online gambling operators in NC will be based on the following criteria.

  • Bonuses: In addition to scoring the quality and value of the welcome bonus when you sign up with the platform, we will grade the frequency and variety of bonuses offered to returning players.
    User Interface: When grading the user interface, we’ll take a look at the overall aesthetics of the platform, as well as the navigability of the site, the speed of the site, and the overall reliability and performance of the operator.
  • Variety: For variety, we’ll take a look at what types of games are offered on the site as well as the number of options available for each game type.
  • Customer Support: Finally, for customer support, we’ll take a look at what support channels are available, how easy it is to find information in the FAQ pages, the amount of information in the help sections, and our experience when testing the communication methods each operator provides.

FAQ

When will North Carolina online casinos launch?

Online gambling in North Carolina has not yet been legalized, so online casinos do not have a launch timetable set yet. However, the March 2024 launch of online sports betting could pave the way for gambling expansion in the state. The soonest online casinos could arrive in NC would be 2025, though that would be dependent on the state legislature passing a bill in the 2024 session.

What will be the minimum age to play at NC online gambling sites?

The minimum age to play at NC online gambling sites will likely be 21. This would be in line with the online sports betting age requirement, as well as the age rule for other states where online gambling is already legal.

Why do casino sites offer promos?

Casino sites offer promos as a way of encouraging new players to sign up with the platform and encouraging returning players to flock back to the site and keep playing. BettingNC.com will cover all of the promotions and bonus offerings for legal, licensed sportsbooks in NC once online gambling is legalized.

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.