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North Carolina casino apps

This page contains anticipatory information about North Carolina casino apps. Online casino gaming is still illegal under state law, so this piece is a look-ahead in case the legal status changes.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Online casino gaming remains prohibited throughout much of the United States; as of March 2024, just seven states allow them (Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia).

North Carolina’s gambling expansion has been slow for years, with only three retail casinos, a state lottery that launched in 2005, and online sports betting arriving in March 2024. It seems like it would take years at this point before online casinos are in the picture, though the recent online sports betting launch has renewed hope that the practice may one day be permitted in NC.

In this piece, we’ll review what casino apps could come to North Carolina once active gambling laws are changed. We’ll also explain what games will be available and update this page with any legal news as bills are introduced to potentially expand iGaming options.

Leading expected casino apps in North Carolina

When online casino gambling is permitted in the state, we expect these operators to be among the leading casino apps in North Carolina.

DraftKings Casino North Carolina Logo

DraftKings Casino North Carolina

DraftKings has continued to thrive in iGaming spaces, building on the success of its daily fantasy sports (DFS) and online sports betting platforms. Founded in 2012, DraftKings added its casino platform in 2020.

With a background in sports, many of the slot titles and table games tend to add local sports themes to the games in the app. This means you could see a Carolina Panthers slot game, a Charlotte Hornets-themed Blackjack table, or a Carolina Hurricanes bingo variation.

BetRivers Logo

BetRivers Casino North Carolina

Unlike DraftKings’ sports roots, BetRivers launched its iGaming operations out of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. It is currently licensed in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

BetRivers has an impressive selection of slot titles while balancing the offering with live dealer table games. You’ll also find it easy to manage your bankroll, with instant withdrawal available in many cases.

Caesars Palace Online Casino North Carolina

Caesars Palace Online Casino North Carolina

Caesars has one of the newest online casino platforms in the space, rolling out its casino app and desktop casino site in August of 2023. It runs alongside Harrah’s online casino, and given two of North Carolina’s three casinos carry the Harrah’s brand, Caesars should have a slight market advantage early on.

Players will thoroughly enjoy the Caesars rewards program, which grants points for every game played and dollar wagered. While moving through rewards tiers, prizes escalate from NC online casino bonuses to discounted hotel stays, casino concierge service, travel discounts, entertainment exclusives, and much more.

FanDuel Casino North Carolina Logo

FanDuel Casino North Carolina

Where DraftKings goes, FanDuel tends to run right alongside. FanDuel also started as a DFS platform and is frequently one of the top two sportsbook operators by betting handle in states where both FanDuel and DraftKings operate.

The online casino is somewhat of a new venture, but FanDuel has already showcased outstanding customer service with generous bonuses along the way. One of the top features of the app is the Rewards Machine, which allows players a free chance to win big daily. Gamblers who match three symbols while making their daily spin win $2,000 as a prize; to date, FanDuel has paid out more than $100M from the Rewards Machine.

BetMGM Casino North Carolina Logo

BetMGM Casino North Carolina

Finally, BetMGM boasts one of the premier loyalty programs in the industry, and taking advantage is a must for serious and casual casino gamers alike. The app does a superb job of keeping games seasonally-themed, rotating through titles frequently while always having a steady stream of casino staples available.

The app boasts more than 450 slot games in addition to more than 50 jackpot slot games. You’ll also find slingo, blackjack, baccarat, poker, roulette, and craps on the site.

No, real-money casino apps are not legal in North Carolina. Online casino gambling is still illegal in NC, meaning players are limited to using social/sweepstakes casinos instead.

Sweepstakes casinos are permitted throughout much of the United States, including North Carolina, because they do not require players to maintain a real-money bankroll. Instead, the focus is on playing for entertainment and the practice of casino games.

Are there any active bills to legalize casino apps in North Carolina?

No, there are not any active bills to legalize casino apps in North Carolina. It is unlikely we see such a bill proposed without first expanding retail casino locations in the state, as this would allow online operators to expand their footprint in NC before an online launch.

North Carolina has three retail casinos: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, and Catawba Two Kings Casino in King’s Mountain. All three are tribal casinos.

How you will be able to sign up for a casino app in North Carolina

Registering for an account to start playing on a casino app in North Carolina will be a simple process once it is legalized. Most users will find the process to take no more than 10 minutes. Here is roughly what the signup process will look like.

  1. Read up on the available operators: Once North Carolina decides on a launch date for online casinos in the state, BettingNC will compose thorough reviews to analyze each mobile operator. These reviews will assess game library volumes and title variance, app aesthetics and performance, bonuses, loyalty program information, and an overall rating based on important casino metrics. We will update this page with a link to those reviews as they become available.
  2. Create your account: You’ll be able to download the mobile app (explained in Step 3) and complete the signup process there if you’d like, but we recommend using a web browser for your signup for ease of menu navigation. At a minimum, you will need to provide the casino app with your legal name, address, birth date, phone number, email address, and the last four digits of your social security number. This will be used to verify your identity and gambling eligibility.
  3. Download the app: Next, locate the casino app in the appropriate app store. The app shouldn’t be difficult to find given the small number of approved operators and states where the apps are permitted. Keep in mind that some operators may make their apps state-specific, so it may help to include “North Carolina” when searching for the name of the app (we’ll note in the casino app review whether the app is state-specific).
  4. Make a deposit: While “free spins” or “bet credits” may be available to you as part of a casino bonus offer, you’ll likely still need to finance your bankroll before you’re able to start playing. Using your preferred payment method (approved methods may vary slightly between operators), make a deposit that qualifies you for the welcome bonus without going beyond your means.
  5. Pick a game and start playing: Finally, try out a few games in the app to find which ones you prefer to play (many will have a free-to-play demo version to test beforehand). Have fun, good luck, and always gamble responsibly!

Online casino games you will be able to play at casino apps in North Carolina

Online casino sites constantly update their gaming libraries so you can continue to keep your experience fresh. Here are a few of the types of online casino games you’ll be able to play using casino apps in North Carolina following legislative iGaming expansion.

  • Online slots: Slot games will account for as much as 90% of the titles available at an online casino depending on where you decide to play. Gamblers enjoy them for their relative ease to play (since “strategy” is less of a factor) and because they have many varying elements (including number of reels, types of jackpots, availability/frequency of bonus spins, thematic elements, and more).
  • Roulette: Roulette is a casino classic, requiring players to guess which pocket a ball will fall into on a rotating wheel as the ball spins in the opposite direction. Traditional roulette wheels are numbered from 0-36, though some variations may also feature a “00” pocket, thus changing the payout amounts due to different likelihoods. The numbers alternate in a red/black color pattern, allowing players to wager on an exact pocket, a range of slots, or the color of the pocket where the ball lands. Payouts scale based on the probability of the betting outcome (getting the exact number pays the most, while choosing red or black will have the smallest return on a winning wager).
  • Baccarat: Baccarat players are tasked with predicting the hand with the best value from three possible outcomes, that being the closest to “9.” Options are the player’s total, the dealer’s total, or a tie where both hands have the same value. Aces are worth one point, cards 2-9 match the face value of the card, and 10s and face cards all have a value of “0.” Wagers are locked in before any cards are dealt, and players are dealt cards depending on hand value rather than choosing to “hit” or “stand” as is the case in blackjack.

Possible banking options at online casino apps in North Carolina

The approved money management methods at online casinos may differ slightly between operators, but there are a few that are typically accepted on all platforms. Here are a few of the possible banking options you would be able to find at online casino apps once online casinos in NC are legalized.

  • Online banking: Typically, the fastest way to collect your winnings is to link your bank account to your online casino account. Transactions are incredibly secure, withdrawals are near instantaneous, and the operators will never move money into or out of your bank account without your permission.
  • Debit cards: While credit cards are typically prohibited at online casinos, debit cards tend to be more frequently utilized. Visa and Mastercard are accepted more often than American Express or Discover cards. Be sure to check with your bank beforehand so your deposit attempts aren’t blocked automatically.
  • PayPal: Newer platforms like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Venmo are slowly making their way into the online gambling space, but PayPal has been a leader in this area for years given its lengthy and reputable history as an online payment platform. Mobile casino apps won’t charge fees for using PayPal as your transaction tool, and after your first withdrawal, subsequent transactions tend to take less than 24 hours to process and complete the money movement.

Pros and cons of casino apps vs. desktop online casinos in North Carolina

Desktop online casino platforms and online casino apps both offer advantages over the other that can make an impact on how you prefer to play. Here are a few of the pros and cons to help you weigh your options.

Pros

  • Casino apps are more reliable with notifications: While desktop casino platforms can give you alerts about new games coming to the site or bonuses that are available, they can be easy to miss, especially if you’ve closed the browser tab or that page is running in the background. Through a casino app, if you’ve got push notifications enabled, you’ll be more likely to see the notifications and have them available at your convenience so you don’t miss out.
  • Casino apps offer greater mobility: In a world that seems ever-increasingly on the go, the ability to play from anywhere within state borders is an important feature for many casino patrons. As long as you’ve got a stable internet connection, you’ll be able to utilize your mobile app.
  • Casino apps allow better customizability: As casino apps tend to optimize their platforms for mobile devices, you’ll find the platforms to become more customizable. This is especially true for display settings but can also extend to menu order and making your favorite games readily available. Desktop sites tend to remain static with little ability to change the display overall.

Cons

  • Casino apps have a smaller screen: Beyond the potential for eye strain from playing on the smaller screen, there’s also an increased potential for tapping the wrong button and making a wager you don’t want to make or misplaying a game. A larger display can help to mitigate the issue.
  • Casino apps sap your battery life: Assuming your desktop computer is plugged in, you won’t have to worry about the online casino draining your battery. However, when playing on the go, casino apps will sap your device’s battery juice much more quickly than other apps because they require running a geolocation tool in the background while you’re playing.
  • Casino apps require updates: When playing at a desktop casino, you’re guaranteed to be using the latest version of the casino software since the operator maintains these updates on the backend. However, casino apps can require updates that block you from playing until they are installed.

Why should you avoid offshore casino apps?

The only safe way to gamble using online casino apps is with a legitimate, licensed operator. Unfortunately, there are many offshore casino apps looking to make money in an illegal manner, preying on players who don’t want to wait for a legal option. Here are just a few of the reasons you should avoid offshore casino apps.

  • You won’t have any legal standing if you run into issues: One of the reasons offshore books can get away with many shady practices is that they do not operate inside any U.S. jurisdiction. This means they can hold your money hostage after a big win, refuse to pay your full winning amount, or cheat at the games they offer, knowing you won’t be able to pursue legal action to recoup your funds if they choose to do so.
  • Offshore apps don’t have to make games fair: North Carolina’s online casino apps will be regulated (likely by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission) to ensure games pay out at an appropriate rate and are run in a way where winning is actually possible. Because offshore casino apps do not need to abide by these same fairness guidelines, games can be next to impossible to win and have lower-than-expected payouts when you do win.
  • Offshore apps can sell your personal and financial information: If the previous points weren’t enough to convince you to stay away, perhaps knowing your personal and financial information is at risk can change your mind. Like with the first case, you’ll also have no legal recourse if any of your information is compromised.

FAQ

Are casino apps usually available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store?

Yes, casino apps are usually available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. This hasn’t always been the case, as Google used to be more restrictive about allowing betting apps in the Google Play Store, but you’ll now find both carrying gambling applications.

Will casino apps be regulated in North Carolina?

Yes, casino apps will be regulated in North Carolina once online casino gambling is permitted in the state. These apps will likely fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.

Will every online casino have a mobile app in North Carolina?

No, not every online casino will have a mobile app in North Carolina. However, we would expect many of the top operators such as DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, and BetMGM to make both their online casino and mobile app platforms available to players in the Tar Heel State.

Can I use sweepstakes casino apps in North Carolina?

Yes, you can use sweepstakes casino apps in 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.