Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
As of June 14, North Carolina has joined the list of states to legalize sports betting. While sports betting was previously allowed in NC, it was restricted to the state’s three tribal casinos. The new law, signed by Governor Roy Cooper, will allow up to twelve online sportsbooks to be licensed and start offering bets on a variety of different sports.
For now, sports fans in North Carolina will have to wait. Online betting isn’t expected to go live before 2024, but hopefully, it will be available before the Super Bowl. The North Carolina Lottery Commission will be in charge of licensing sports betting sites, and there are up to twelve licenses available.
Timeline of NC Betting
- 2021 – Sports betting is legalized in NC, but only in-person betting at tribal casinos
- June 2022 – The North Carolina House votes 51-50 against a bill that would have authorized legal and regulated sports betting.
- March 2023 – HB 347 passes through the State’s House of Representatives despite some opposition
- June 2023 – Governor Roy Cooper signs the new bill into law, meaning the North Carolina Lottery Commission can license and regulate online sportsbooks
Betting in North Carolina at a Glance
| North Carolina retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| North Carolina online sports betting legal status | Coming in 2024 |
| North Carolina online sports betting launch date | Hasn’t launched yet |
| North Carolina sports betting regulator | North Carolina Lottery Commission |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | Up to twelve |
| Total bets placed in first month | Unknown |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 18% |
Top NC Sportsbooks
So far, there are no sportsbooks available in the Tar Heel State, but the first sites are expected to go live in 2024. We’ll update this as soon as they do to help you choose the best betting site.
Choosing a Sportsbook in North Carolina
Deciding on which sportsbook to join is probably the hardest part about betting in North Carolina. The current laws may have only been passed, but already sportsbooks are queuing up to get licensed in the state. That means that when online betting does go live, you’ll have loads of great options to choose from.
Finding the right sportsbook is important, as it will affect how much fun you have betting on sports, as well as your potential profits. Before you join, make sure you consider the following factors:
Reviews
Reading sportsbook reviews is the easiest and fastest way to find good NC sportsbooks. Our review team goes to all the effort to sign up to each legal and licensed sports betting site so you don’t have to. They then compare data and research between different books to work out which ones are best. All of our reviews are unbiased, and we update them regularly so you can discover the best deals and bonuses.
Bonuses
Bonuses are a big part of betting online, with almost all sportsbooks across the country offering rewards to players. These special promotions can generally be split into welcome bonuses and regular bonuses, but both are potentially lucrative and help you get more out of your bets. Before you join, check to see what kind of offers are available and carefully read through the terms and conditions.
Some common bonus offers include:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- No deposit bonuses
- Loyalty reward points
Odds and Lines
When you place bets at a sportsbook, the profit you win from a winning bet is determined by the odds. Higher odds mean greater potential profits, so it makes sense to find a betting site with good odds. While the odds available on major events will typically be similar between most sportsbooks, there can still be a lot of variation. In addition, line movement may be more significant at some sites compared to others. It’s always a good idea to check the odds and lines of a book before you join, especially on the sports you prefer to bet on.
Sports and Markets
Even if you have a favorite sport to bet on, having variety and more options is always a good thing. All US sportsbooks let you bet on major events and leagues across the country, as well as lots of international competitions. Popular sports are always covered, and some sites also include more niche events.
We expect to see the following at NC sportsbooks when they launch:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- MLS
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Golf
- Motorsports
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
- Boxing
Markets are the options on a game you can bet on, and just as with sports, more variety is better. Having more markets gives you a greater opportunity to find value, and it’s great to have options. Common markets that we’re sure to see at North Carolina sportsbooks include:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
Don’t overlook the usability and general functionality of the sportsbook when you’re looking to join. It’s important that you’re able to sign up quickly and without any hassle. It should also be easy to use the site, with simple menus that make it simple to find games and place bets.
Payments
As you’ll be betting with real money, you’ll need to add funds to your account after you sign up. Sportsbooks should always make the payment process as straightforward as possible, giving you a safe and secure way to add funds and collect your winnings. In addition, there shouldn’t be any hidden fees or restrictive limits that prevent you from enjoying your bets.
Customer Support
Customer support is there to give you assistance when you need it, and all good sportsbooks should have at least one way to get in touch with a member of the team. Ideally, there should be several different options you can use, as this makes it much easier to find quick answers or solutions to any questions or problems you might have. Popular support options at other sportsbooks include:
- FAQ pages
- Live chat
- Email support
- Phone support
- Social media pages
How to Sign Up to a North Carolina Sportsbook
While NC sportsbooks haven’t gone live yet, we can give you a rough idea of what you’ll need to do to sign up and get started. This guide is based on the research we’ve done on other US sportsbooks, and you can follow it to create your account when the first legal North Carolina betting sites launch.
- Visit a legal and licensed NC sportsbook
- Ensure you’re within the state borders
- Choose the Sign Up option and enter your full details
- Agree to the site’s terms and conditions and confirm your location
- Upload a copy of your ID to prove you’re old enough to bet
NC Sportsbook Deposits Explained
The deposit process at North Carolina sportsbooks should be pretty straightforward. Our data shows that sportsbooks will probably have lots of different payment options you can choose from, and the funds should be added to your account instantly after you approve the deposit.
Popular methods for making deposits at online sportsbooks include:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
Claiming Your North Carolina Sports Betting Promos
We fully expect all North Carolina sportsbooks to feature promos, as you can find these offers at most US sportsbooks. While you can only claim one welcome bonus per site, you can sign up to all licensed betting sites in your state and claim a promo from each. Before you do, we recommend that you always read through all of the terms and conditions. Bonus terms will affect how you can use the promo, and common terms include:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
North Carolina Sportsbook Payouts Guide
You can withdraw funds from your sportsbook account at any time. Whether you’ve just won a bet or you’d simply like to transfer some money, sportsbooks always make it relatively straightforward to request a payout, but you will need to have sufficient funds to do so.
The withdrawal process is a lot like making a deposit. However, it does take a bit longer to complete in general. Here’s a quick guide to making your first withdrawal:
- Open the cashier and choose your preferred payment method
- In most cases, you’ll only be able to select a method that you’ve previously used to deposit funds
- Enter the amount you’d like to withdraw, making sure it’s above the minimum amount
- Confirm your withdrawal and wait for your money to arrive in your account
The exact time it takes for your payout to complete will depend on the site and the method you use. Some payment options are quicker than others, so it’s worth considering the payout times before you make a deposit. Here’s a rough guide to withdrawal processing times for popular payment methods:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Mobile Betting in NC
All North Carolina sportsbooks will be fully compatible with mobile devices, which means you can bet anywhere you like within the state. While they’re not live yet, most sportsbooks will likely have a mobile app that you can download on your smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, you’ll also be able to log in through your mobile browser and place bets without installing anything on your device.
Mobile betting lets you access all the same markets, odds, promos, and even live streams that you’d find on the desktop site. This means the freedom to bet anywhere and at any time. You never have to worry about missing a betting opportunity and can even bet from the stadium or arena.
Popular North Carolina Sports to Bet On
North Carolina is a state of sports lovers, and its home to major franchises in some of the country’s biggest sports leagues. The Tar Heel State has become closely associated with NASCAR and college sports, but you can also find plenty of fans of other sports here too. You’ll be able to bet on all major sports at NC sportsbooks, including the following:
NFL
The NFL is huge in North Carolina and across the whole of the country. NC bettors will likely miss the start of the new season, with the first sportsbooks not expected to go live until 2024. However, you might still be able to bet on the Super Bowl. North Carolina is, of course, home to the Carolina Panthers, based in Charlotte. Panthers fans are still waiting on their team to win the Super Bowl, but maybe 2024 could be their year.
NBA
NBA fans in North Carolina will be hoping that sportsbooks will go live in time for next year's playoffs, which is easily the best time to be a fan. In NC, a lot of fans follow the Charlotte Hornets, even despite the fact that their team has never won a Championship or a Division or Conference title. However, a change could be coming for the Hornets, with Michael Jordan reportedly selling his majority stake in the team.
MLB
Major League Baseball is the oldest active sports league in the US, and while baseball might not have the popularity it once did, it’s still enjoyed by fans across the country. North Carolina has never had its own MLB franchise, but the state is home to minor league and collegiate summer league teams. Many NC residents follow the Atlanta Braves when watching the MLB.
NHL
Hockey is also big in North Carolina, mainly thanks to the success of the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes were originally from New England before the franchise was moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and the name was changed in 1997. Since then, the Canes have established themselves as a top team in the league, lifting the Stanley Cup in the 2005-06 season and winning the Division Championship in the last two seasons.
MLS
While soccer may not be as popular in the US as some other sports, it’s quickly growing and amassing a large following. A lot of soccer fans enjoy watching international leagues, but the MLS is now stronger than ever. North Carolina is home to Charlotte FC, which was founded in 2019. As a completely new franchise, it may not have had much success yet, but local fans have really gotten behind their team.
College Sports
The new sports betting legislation that’s coming to North Carolina will also allow you to bet on college sports. At the moment, it’s unclear whether this will include NC college teams or not, but it’s likely that it won’t allow prop betting on college games. Throughout the state, there’s a lot of pride in the success of North Carolina colleges, especially the Appalachian State Mountaineers and the Duke Blue Devils.
Why Join Multiple NC Sportsbooks
Sports betting will most likely go live in NC in 2024. When that happens, you’ll have lots of different sportsbooks to choose from. The state is allowing up to twelve licenses for online and mobile betting, and it’s worth signing up to all of them. By joining multiple betting sites, you can enjoy lots of benefits, including:
More Bonuses
All North Carolina sportsbooks will probably allow you to claim a bonus when you first sign up. These welcome bonuses are limited to one per account, but each site has one for you to enjoy. By creating accounts with each available sportsbook, you can claim multiple bonuses and get more out of your bets.
The Best Odds
Finding the best odds is the key to making long-term profits, and we always recommend you compare odds before placing your bet. By having an account with multiple sportsbooks, you can quickly check the odds and ensure you always get the best price and, therefore, the most profits if your bet wins.
New Features
Most major sportsbooks have different features, and it’s worth trying them out to find out which ones you like best. Whether you prefer live streams, greater market variety, better regular offers, or a faster mobile app, trying out each sportsbook will let you find the best option.
North Carolina Sports Betting FAQ
Is it legal to bet on sports in North Carolina?
North Carolina became the 29th US state to legalize online sports betting in June 2023. However, you won’t be able to place online bets until 2024 at the earliest. If you want, you can place bets in person at any of the state’s three land-based casinos.
Can I bet in NC on my mobile?
When online betting launches in North Carolina, you’ll be able to sign up and place bets from your mobile device. Smartphones and tablets will be able to access licensed NC betting sites, and most will have an app you can download too.
Which is the best North Carolina sportsbook?
At the moment, sports betting hasn’t launched in North Carolina, so we can’t say. However, it’s likely that all of the most popular sites, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and PointsBet, will be available. You can find out which is the best from our reviews.
How old do I need to be to start betting online in North Carolina?
To legally place bets online in North Carolina, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. All of the online sportsbooks will verify your ID before you can place any real money bets.
What kind of sportsbook promos can I expect in NC?
While sportsbooks haven’t gone live yet, we can expect a range of exciting promos to choose from. You can expect risk-free bets, bet credits, odds boosts, matched deposits, and more.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
Chris Williams is a senior editor and fact checker at SportsbookPromo.com. He's been active within the US sports betting industry for over five years and has edited and fact checked hundreds of articles.