Legal sports betting has been operating in North Carolina since March 11, 2024, when the North Carolina State Lottery Commission licensed the first online sportsbook operators. The state now permits both mobile wagering and in-person betting at three retail locations, giving residents and visitors a range of legal options for the first time.
Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within North Carolina’s borders at the time of the wager can legally place a bet, whether through a licensed mobile app or in person. Bettors do not need to be state residents; they only need to be inside North Carolina when the bet is placed. There are currently seven licensed sportsbook apps available to consumers in the state.
How North Carolina got here
The path to legal sports betting in North Carolina stretched over several years. Tribal lands began offering sports betting around 2019. In March 2021, in-person betting was expanded. The decisive step came on June 14, 2023, when Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 into law, authorizing statewide mobile and online wagering. That law took effect on March 11, 2024, when online sportsbooks officially went live.
Where to bet in person
North Carolina currently has three licensed retail sportsbook locations, all housed inside casinos:
- Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Caesars Sportsbook) — Cherokee
- Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel (Caesars Sportsbook) — Murphy
- Catawba Two Kings Casino (Two Kings Sportsbook) — Kings Mountain
What can you bet on
North Carolina bettors have a deep well of professional and college teams to wager on, particularly in the Charlotte area. The Carolina Panthers draw significant football betting interest, while the Charlotte Hornets represent the state in the NBA. There is no MLB franchise based in North Carolina, but the Carolina Hurricanes compete in the NHL and Charlotte FC plays in Major League Soccer. College programs such as Duke and the University of North Carolina also generate substantial betting activity.
Betting on college sports is legal in the state, including spreads, totals and sides. Notably, North Carolina also permits wagering on player props for college athletes, an option that is restricted in some other states.
Sign-up offers
New users on North Carolina sportsbook apps are commonly offered welcome promotions such as deposit matches, bonus bets, or
