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North Carolina online gambling

Online gambling isn’t yet legal in North Carolina, but it could be only a matter of time until that changes. Once legislators see the successful returns in the sports gambling industry following the scheduled launch in early 2024, there could be enough momentum in the state House and Senate to finally overturn the state’s aggressive anti-gambling laws.

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

In this guide to online gambling in North Carolina, we’ll list what gambling platforms may arrive in the state, highlight some of the finer points of potential laws, and detail some of the traits and features North Carolinians can expect upon arrival.

Best North Carolina gambling sites

While online gambling isn’t yet legal in North Carolina and likely wouldn’t be available until at least 2025 (if approved during the 2024 short session), the following operators should be among those seeking entry into the emerging market in the state once such betting is permitted.

🎲 DraftKings NC ⭐ Offers over 300 gaming titles, including some exclusive to DK
🎲 FanDuel NC ⭐ Features daily jackpots, sometimes over $10,000 in value
🎲 BetRivers NC ⭐ A balanced mix of live dealer games, video poker, slots, and sports betting
🎲 Fanatics NC ⭐ Expected to be among the first online sportsbook operators in NC
🎲 ESPN Bet NC ⭐ Newest operator, rebrand of PENN Entertainment's platform
🎲 BetMGM NC ⭐ Premier rewards program among gambling operators

DraftKings logo

DraftKings North Carolina

As a longtime daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator, DraftKings is relatively new to the casino space, launching the “DraftKings Casino” platform after purchasing Golden Nugget Online Gaming in 2022. The platform now offers more than 300 gaming titles, some of which are exclusive to DK.

FanDuel Logo

FanDuel North Carolina

Like close competitor DraftKings, FanDuel has been a dominant sports betting operator in addition to operating in the DFS space.

However, the online casino with FanDuel features more daily jackpots, sometimes reaching or exceeding $10,000 in value, making it a competitive platform that North Carolina bettors will love.

BetRivers Logo

BetRivers North Carolina

BetRivers is one of the few operators listed here with roots in the casino space as opposed to sports betting, as it first launched as an extension of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.

The platform features a balance of live dealer games and video poker, online slots, and table games.

Fanatics Logo

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics has not yet launched a casino platform, but it is expected to be one of the first online sportsbook operators in North Carolina.

The company has heavily focused on sports merchandise and memorabilia in the past, but its expansion into sports betting could lead to the expansion into the e-gaming space.

ESPN Bet Logo

ESPN Bet North Carolina

ESPN Bet is the newest operator on this list, acting as the rebrand for PENN Entertainment’s sportsbook platform after replacing the previous Barstool branding in August 2023.

PENN launched Barstool Casino in 2021 in West Virginia, so they could try to re-up the effort with the ESPN Bet branding.

BetMGM Logo

BetMGM North Carolina

The online extension of the MGM Casino empire, BetMGM is available in four of the six states that have legalized online gambling: Michigan, New Jersey,

Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The site also has one of the premier rewards programs among any gambling operator.

Online gambling is still largely illegal in North Carolina. The state has not passed laws to allow residents to play poker, slots, table games, or other online games that would normally be found in a casino.

To date, the only kind of online gambling that is legal in North Carolina is online sports betting; however, it has not yet launched. The state is targeting a launch in the first half of 2024, with House Bill 347 specifying a launch between January 8 and June 14.

How will I register for internet gambling websites in North Carolina?

Once internet gambling websites are legal and operating in North Carolina, registering to play on those sites will be a quick and easy process. Here’s what you’ll need to do to get started.

  1. Use a promo code: BettingNC.com will list the promo codes and signup offers available at all legal North Carolina online gambling platforms on this site. This will make for an excellent opportunity to start your e-gaming experiences with a sizable profit.
  2. Create an account: The next step will be to create an account using a unique username, email address, and password. You may also need to input a phone number to allow for two-factor authentication when logging into your account.
  3. Enter your personal information: After that, you’ll need to submit some personal information to verify your identity and confirm you’re eligible to bet online in North Carolina. This info will include, but may not be limited to, your legal name, address, and birth date exactly as they appear on your government ID. You will also need to include the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  4. Agree to the terms and privacy policy: The penultimate step is to check a few boxes agreeing to the terms of service and the privacy policy. There may also be a box to verify that your profession doesn’t prohibit you from online gambling (such as if you work at a casino or sportsbook) and that all the information you have submitted is accurate and complete.
  5. Finance your account: Finally, make a deposit into your account with the method of your choosing and begin playing on the site. Make sure whatever amount you deposit is within your means, and that you are depositing enough to qualify for any signup offer that may be available.

Who is responsible for regulating online gambling in NC?

The North Carolina Lottery Commission will be responsible for regulating online gambling in NC once the practice is legalized.

The Commission currently oversees both online sports betting operations as well as the state lottery, and operators who intend to set up shop in NC will have to obtain licensure from the NCLC before going live in North Carolina.

There are different types of internet gambling that could become legal in NC, each of which would be available at an online casino.

One reason online casinos offer so many games on their platforms is that they aren’t limited to the same physical space as an in-person casino. Here are some of the top options that should eventually be available in North Carolina.

  • Online slots: The most popular way to play at an online casino, online slots have remarkable variety, allowing for many different themes and ways to play. Casinos will frequently update their catalog of available slots, so there will almost always be something new and exciting for slots fans to try.
  • Video poker: Video poker has been illegal in North Carolina since 2007 when Gov. Mike Easley signed a bill banning the practice. However, the game is slowly starting to make a comeback and is now legal in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey. The game is set up similar to slot machines and can cover many poker variants.
  • Table games: Table games include many of the casino staples such as blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, heads-up poker, and pai gow. These games may also include a live dealer, which is a popular option among online casino patrons.

Types of promos offered at gambling operators in North Carolina

Promos are one of the main ways online casinos will try to attract new players and encourage returning customers to keep using the platforms.

As a rule of thumb, the more frequent and varied the bonuses are at an NC online casino, the better. Here are some of the types of promos you may find at gambling operators once they are allowed to go live in North Carolina.

  • Welcome bonuses: Welcome bonuses on North Carolina sportsbooks are a player’s first introduction to what the online operator has to offer, meaning it is often more lucrative than what the offers may be for existing players. These can include things like free spins on slot machines, deposit matches when funding your account, bonus bets, free buy-ins to poker games, and more.
  • Daily and weekly profit boosts: Some casinos will offer daily and/or weekly profit boosts to tack on an extra percentage. This usually comes at a modest percentage, but even those small boosts can add up over time to considerable payouts.
  • Loyalty programs: Loyalty programs usually come from awarding points for each dollar played at different games. As these reward points accumulate over time, players may move into tiers that lead to betting perks, exclusive merchandise, discounted travel, event tickets, and much more!
  • No deposit bonuses: While this type of bonus is quite rare compared to the other offers on this list, it is arguably the most player-friendly. No deposit bonuses in NC allow players to participate in real-money games without having to use funds from their accounts.

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 gambling websites go live?

Gambling websites will go live in North Carolina after the state legislature passes a new bill that legalizes online gambling. While North Carolina sports betting is set to launch in early 2024, other forms of online gambling are illegal in NC.

Which gambling sites will come to NC?

Gambling sites will not come to NC until the state reverses the state laws that make online gambling illegal. However, once the laws change, many of the top operators are likely to enter the state, including BetMGM, DraftKings Casino, FanDuel Casino, and BetRivers.

Are gambling websites in North Carolina safe to play on?

No, gambling websites in North Carolina are not safe to play on. Online gambling is illegal in NC. Until the state law changes, attempting to play at an online gambling site in North Carolina will put your personal and financial information at risk and could subject you to criminal penalties.

Will gambling operators in NC offer bonuses?

Yes, gambling operators in NC will offer bonuses once online gambling is legalized in the state. Bonuses are the main way online gaming companies attract new players, so once the laws change, BettingNC.com will list the top promotional offerings from all legal and licensed operators.

Can you play slots online in NC?

No, you cannot play slots online in NC. Online slots that pay out real money are prohibited under North Carolina law.

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