HomeNorth Carolina Sportsbooks

North Carolina sportsbooks

Sports betting launched in NC in March 2024, after Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law on June 14, 2023. The new law allows up to 12 North Carolina sportsbooks to launch in the state; 8 operators have already launched, so you can register today!

Brian Cass By: Brian Cass
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Table of contents
1 BetMGM
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Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
2 FanDuel
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Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
3 Fanatics
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4 Bet365
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Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543, or visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+. NC only.
5 DraftKings
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6 Caesars
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Here, we’ll go over all of the sportsbooks that joined the NC market in March 2024, along with the various types of bonuses and bet types they offer NC users.

Best North Carolina sportsbooks

North Carolina’s sports betting law states allows for up to 12 online sportsbooks to operate. Thus far, 8 operators have claimed those spots. Here’s a preview of the best North Carolina sportsbooks:

🏀 BetMGM Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Recognized brand with presence in neighboring states
🏀 FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Top operator eager to launch in NC
🏀 Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Already has two retail locations in NC
🏀 DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Popular daily fantasy sportsbook in NC

BetMGM North Carolina

BetMGM Sportsbook North Carolina

Even though BetMGM does not yet have any physical locations in NC, its presence in neighboring states like Virginia and Tennessee gives the sportsbook some brand recognition in the Tar Heel State. Bettors in NC may have already given BetMGM a try by traveling to nearby states and placing wagers.

Given its stature in the sports betting world, we expect BetMGM to quickly become a go-to option for North Carolina sports bettors.

FanDuel North Carolina

FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina

Like DraftKings, FanDuel Sportsbook is among the best sports betting operators in the country and is frequently at or near the top of the rankings for total sports betting hand. The company is also a daily fantasy sports provider that has been present in North Carolina for several years.

Bettors looking to add same game parlays to their betting slips will no doubt enjoy the array of pre-crafted options FanDuel makes available daily.

Fanatics North Carolina

Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina

Fanatics Sportsbook NC launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, in partnership with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, marking its entry into the state's sports betting market.

The sportsbook offers a unique "FanCash" rewards program, where users can earn up to 5% of their wager back in FanCash, which can be used for bonus bets or purchases on Fanatics.com. The app is praised for its fast signup, transparent withdrawals, and industry-leading search functionality.

bet365 North Carolina Logo

bet365 Sportsbook North Carolina

bet365 launched its online sports betting platform in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, following the legalization of online sports betting in the state. This expansion was facilitated through a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets.

bet365 North Carolina offers a highly regarded mobile app available on both iOS and Android, known for its smooth user experience and extensive betting options.

DraftKings North Carolina

DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina

One of the most popular sports betting outlets in the country, DraftKings began operating in North Carolina as a daily fantasy sports app. DK is currently live in 25 states, including NC, and they’re one of the most aggressive sportsbooks in acquiring licensing whenever a new state legalizes sports betting.

DraftKings is particularly popular for its vast selection of live betting markets.

Caesars North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook already has two retail locations in NC – Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel and Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort.

With their physical locations already in place, Caesars' retail presence will likely usher in a strong betting handle showing in the months after launch and set the operator up for long-term success.

Underdog North Carolina Logo

Underdog Sportsbook North Carolina

Underdog Sportsbook made its debut in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, marking the company's first foray into the sports betting market. This launch was particularly notable because Underdog developed the sportsbook entirely on its own core technology stack, a unique approach that sets it apart from other operators.

Partnering with McConnell Golf, which operates several prestigious golf courses in the state, Underdog is focused on providing a streamlined and user-friendly betting experience, heavily influenced by its success in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) market.

ESPN Bet North Carolina

ESPN BET Sportsbook North Carolina

ESPN BET NC launched on March 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the state's sports betting landscape. This sportsbook, operated by PENN Entertainment in partnership with ESPN, offers a state-of-the-art mobile and web platform, featuring a wide range of betting options including straight bets, cross-sport parlays, and in-game wagering.

Special features include daily odds boosts, exclusive promotions integrated with ESPN content, and a robust loyalty program called PENN Play.

Yes, online sportsbooks are legal in North Carolina. The Tar Heel State launched online sports betting on March 11, 2024, with eight sportsbooks launching their products on that day. Those eight operators were DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN Bet, Underdog, and Fanatics.

How to sign up with a North Carolina sportsbook

Thankfully, signing up and getting started with online sports betting in North Carolina is a relatively easy process. Registering for an online bookie typically takes between 5-10 minutes, and once the account is created, you will be able to place bets immediately.

The registration process for each sportsbook won’t be exactly the same, but they usually follow the same basic steps.

  1. Once you reach the homepage of the sportsbook you would like to sign up for, you could be met with the option to register right away. If not, you will typically find a “Register” or “Join Now” button in the top-right corner of the screen.
  2. Through the registration process, users will have to provide several pieces of personal information. This can include your full legal name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your street address. Users may also be given the opportunity to claim the bookie’s welcome bonus during sign-up. Sometimes, sportsbooks will require an NC sportsbook promo code in order to qualify for their welcome offer, but this is not always the case.
  3. After you’ve created the account, you’ll need to deposit some money into the account in order to start placing bets. Sportsbooks typically have a minimum deposit requirement; usually no more than $10. Once you’ve put some funds into the account, you’re all set to start your sports betting venture.

Teams to wager on using NC sportsbooks

The great thing about online sports betting is there’s no shortage of betting markets to wager on. Of course, we have the most popular leagues in the United States, like the NFL or NBA. But most big-time sportsbooks allow their users to wager on leagues overseas in a variety of different countries.

Here’s a look at where the majority of the sports betting action is taking place in NC.

  • Football: Football – and the NFL in particular – dominates the sports betting industry. North Carolina bettors can wager on any NFL team they’d like, along with any NCAA football team (including in-state schools). Regardless, we fully expect most of the really passionate betting action to involve the state’s lone NFL squad, the Carolina Panthers.
  • Basketball: Although football is the most popular sport to bet on nationwide, NC’s long, storied basketball history could make it the top sport to wager on in the state. At the collegiate level, the Duke vs. North Carolina rivalry is a spectacle every single season, and those two teams will draw the attention of bettors all across the country. The NBA’s tradition in the state isn’t as strong, but the Charlotte Hornets will still garner betting attention from their fans in NC.
  • Baseball: Despite not housing an MLB team in their state, there are still plenty of Atlanta Braves fans in North Carolina, given the state’s proximity to Georgia, which means that MLB betting is still popular in NC. Collegiate baseball is also quite popular.
  • Hockey: One of the best NHL teams in the league, betting on the Carolina Hurricanes should provide NC gamblers with plenty of opportunities to bet on high-stakes hockey games throughout the year.

Different types of bets on bookmakers in NC

For newcomers to the sports betting world, gaining a solid understanding of how each bet type works should be priority number one. Each bet type has its pros and cons, and the odds for each can vary, which could lead to more winnings.

Here’s a rundown of three of the most common bet types.

  • Over/under bets: In simple terms, betting on an over/under means you’re wagering on the combined score of a game or the stats of an individual player to go over or under a specified amount. For example, if you bet on Bryce Young to pass for over 2.5 touchdowns in a game, he would need to pass for at least three touchdowns for your wager to be a winner.
  • Futures: Futures bets are typically placed at the beginning of a season and can’t be settled until the season is complete, or until the selected bet hits. For instance, if you bet on the Charlotte Hornets to win over 41 games before the season begins, they’ll have the entire regular season to reach that benchmark. If they reach that mark before the season ends, then the bet will be settled as a winner and you can collect your winnings.
  • Moneyline bets: Betting on moneylines is the most common bet type to wager on and it’s the easiest to understand. You’re simply betting on the winner or loser of a contest when you bet on the moneyline. If you place a bet on the Carolina Panthers moneyline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina ends up victorious, your bet will settle as a win, regardless of the Panthers’ margin of victory. In the rare circumstance of a tie, the bet would typically be voided, and the amount you wagered refunded into your account balance.

Promos offered by North Carolina sportsbooks

Utilizing the various bonuses offered by a North Carolina sportsbook can be a great way to build up your account balance while also making your betting experience more exciting.

There are a bunch of bonus types available to users in nearly every sportsbook. Some operators offer a larger catalog of NC sports betting promos than others, but they all typically have some sort of spin on the bonuses listed below.

  • Sign-up bonuses: Almost every single sportsbook offers a sign-up bonus to new users. After registering for a sportsbook, users will need to make a minimum deposit in order to qualify for the welcome bonus (and in some cases place their first wager), but very rarely is it a large amount. Welcome bonuses typically don’t require a huge sum of money to be wagered, and they can earn users a substantial payout. Sign-up bonuses may or may not require a promo code depending on the sportsbook.
  • Matched deposit bets: A matched deposit bet is pretty self-explanatory. The sportsbook will match the value of your deposit in the form of bonus bets credited to your account, but they will only match it up to a certain amount. For example, if you claim a matched deposit bonus and deposit $50 into the account to wager with, the bookie will match that deposit by applying $50 in bonus bets to your account.
  • Parlay odds boosts: Through a parlay odds boost bonus, sportsbooks will give users the opportunity to boost the odds of the parlay they’ve created. Sometimes, sportsbooks will have pre-made parlays to choose from, with boosted odds attached to them.

Pros and cons of using online sportsbooks in NC

There are always pros and cons to anything in life, and that includes online sports betting. Here are some major benefits and drawbacks of betting through an online sportsbook in North Carolina.

Pros

  • Being able to place bets from the palm of your hand or on a laptop is a huge plus. That type of convenience is impossible to emulate at a retail sportsbook location in North Carolina.
  • Usually, betting bonuses are only available through online sportsbooks. Very rarely will you see them offered at physical locations.
  • The selection of betting types is also typically more broad through an online betting app.

Cons

  • Given the convenience and accessibility of betting through an online sportsbook, it can be easier to lose money. Always be sure to go in with a budget set in stone.
  • If you want to experience the thrill of sports betting with a bunch of your friends, online betting may not scratch that itch.

Payment methods that are available at sportsbooks in North Carolina

Online sportsbooks typically offer a wide range of banking options when depositing or withdrawing money from your account.

Payment methods can vary from one sportsbook to another, but there are several common options used by nearly every sports betting operator in North Carolina.

Deposit & withdrawal options include:

  • Online banking
  • Credit/debit cards
  • PayPal
  • PayNearMe
  • Play+ Prepaid Card
  • Venmo
  • Wire transfer
  • Cash in person at retail locations

FAQ

When did North Carolina sportsbook sites launch?

North Carolina launched online sports betting sites on March 11, 2024. Eight operators went live on launch day: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, ESPN Bet, Underdog, and Fanatics.

Which sportsbooks are live in NC?

There are 8 sportsbooks currently live in NC: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog.

How old do you have to be to place sports bets in North Carolina?

According to HB 347, sports bettors in NC must be at least 21 years old to wager through online sportsbooks.

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.