North Carolina online sports betting laws
Sports betting is legal in North Carolina, although currently only at two tribal sportsbooks.
Written by OnlineBetting.com staff.
Fact Checked
Jennifer Gaynor
Administrative law and government relations attorney
Jennifer has a degree in Journalism from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C, in 2005. She's been living in Las Vegas helping clients in the casino and gaming industry, as well as other regulated businesses, across Nevada for over 15 years.
She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and books on US gaming law, including most recently, The Law of Regulated Gambling: A Practical Guide for Business Lawyers , American Bar Association (2020), and That (Expletive) Broad: Women Who Broke Barriers in the Casino and Gaming Industry (2020) .
Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina sports betting is legal, although it is currently limited to two retail locations at tribal casinos in the state.
Is online sports betting legal in North Carolina?
No. The legislation opening the door to sportsbooks only authorized sports wagering at the state’s two tribal casinos and makes no provision online sports betting.
How old do I have to be to place a bet in North Carolina?
You need to be at least 21 to place a wager.
Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina legalizes sports betting
No provision for North Carolina online sports betting
You must be at least 21 years old to bet in North Carolina
Daily Fantasy Sports in North Carolina
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) has not yet been formally legalized and regulated in North Carolina. A bill that would have provided for the regulation and oversight of DFS in the state was brought forward in the legislature in 2019 but failed to pass. Nevertheless, DFS operators including DraftKings offer DFS action to an estimated more than 1.6 million regular DFS players in the state.
North Carolina, with 10 million residents, is a big sporting state with several top-level pro sports teams. That makes DFS games on football, basketball, baseball, and hockey – as well as college sports, which are massive in the state – popular among those regular players.
Top sports to bet on in North Carolina
Sport is a big deal in North Carolina. With NFL, NBA, and NHL teams based in the state, and a thriving college sports scene, there is plenty for fans to get excited about – and to bet on when they get the chance.
Football
The Carolina Panthers have made a big impression on the NFL since their first season in 1995. They have made it to the Super Bowl twice, losing an epic clash with the New England Patriots in 2003, and then again to the Denver Broncos in 2015. There are also numerous Division 1 NCAA football teams for locals to follow in top-level action.
Responsible gambling in North Carolina
Even though North Carolina sports betting has yet to get off the ground, the need for a focus on responsible gambling has already been recognized in the state. With several casinos already well established here, the potential for gambling problems to arise is clearly a live issue.
There are various bodies with measures in place to support the small minority of bettors who find their gambling is getting out of control, including:
North Carolina Gambling Program : Here you will find a wide range including help available on the phone and by text, as well as self-assessment materials and prevention programs.
North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling : Access to several lines of assistance and links to national bodes to encourage responsible gambling.
National Council on Problem Gambling : Local affiliate of federal body with links to numerous national and local resources.
Timeline of sports betting in North Carolina
1791
All forms of gambling are outlawed in North Carolina, leading the state having a reputation for being strictly against the activity.
1994
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the state of North Carolina entered into a compact in 1994 allowing the tribe to operate gaming machines in their bingo hall.
2012
The tribal compact is expanded to authorize table games at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, with a second tribal casino opened three years later.
2019
Legislation is passed allowing sports betting to take place at tribal casinos in the state.
2021
The retail sportsbooks at Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel both opened for business in March 2021.
Where can you bet in North Carolina?
You can currently place a legal sports bet at the two tribal casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.
| Casino/Retail Sportsbook | Retail Sportsbook Partner | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino | William Hill/The Book | 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee NC 28719 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel | William Hill/The Book | 777 Casino Parkway, Murphy NC 28906 |
Sports betting in the United States
- Online sports betting legal
- Sports betting legal (excluding online)
- Not legal yet
North Carolina betting FAQs
Can you bet online in North Carolina?
Can you use Bovada in North Carolina?
Is DraftKings legal in North Carolina?