North Carolina Online Gambling

North Carolina online gambling, an industry still in its infancy, has tremendous potential.

Online sports betting in North Carolina could become legal this legislative session through House Bill 347. Retail betting is already available at three in-person tribal sportsbooks.

Online casinos are a little further off, but gamblers in North Carolina still have plenty to get excited about.

Internet sports betting would be a huge step forward for North Carolina gambling. NCSharp provides the latest North Carolina online gambling news from around the Tar Heel State.

 

Latest North Carolina gambling news

Horse racers signify pari-mutuel wagering coming to NC

North Carolina Sports Betting Bill Permits Horse Race Betting

June 2, 2023
A Senate amendment to the North Carolina sports betting bill added legal online pari-mutuel horse race betting to the legislation.
The North Carolina Senate passes sports betting bill

North Carolina Poised To Legalize Online Sports Betting

June 1, 2023
North Carolina is on the cusp of legal online sports betting. The Senate sent the industry's future back to the House by passing HB 347.
NC state symbol signifies legislature passing sports betting bill

Senate Convincingly Affirms NC Sports Betting, Horse Racing Bill

May 31, 2023
The NC Senate passed House Bill 347 on its second reading. A final vote will occur Thursday before it returns to the House for concurrence.
Jumping hurdles signifies legislation clearing two Senate committees

With Modified Launch Language, Senate Floor Next Stop For NC Sports Betting Bill

May 30, 2023
House Bill 347 advanced Tuesday through two legislative committees en route to the NC Senate floor, but not without more alterations.
Question marks signify questions asked in Dr. Malkin interview

An Interview With Dr. Michelle Malkin On NC Collegiate Gambling Education

May 29, 2023
Dr. Michelle Malkin, leading problem gambling researcher at East Carolina Univ., addresses a lack of gambling education for NC students.
Top 10 neon words signifies top ten NC lotto payouts

Top 10 North Carolina Lottery Prizes Of The Past Decade

May 26, 2023
NCSharp looks at the 10 largest North Carolina Lottery prize awards of the last decade and how many people won them.

Legal gambling options in North Carolina

Casino gambling

Real money online casinos are not a legal option in North Carolina. However, North Carolinians can play a variety of casino games online at social and sweepstakes casinos like Pulsz, Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Funzpoints. There are also three tribal casinos in North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River each feature slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, and other casino favorites, while Catawba Two Kings Casino has slots and electronic table games.

Sports betting

Wagering on sports is legal in North Carolina, albeit in a limited way. The only places to bet on sports in the state are at the retail sportsbooks at the two Cherokee-operated casinos in the western part of the state and at the Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain just outside of Charlotte. Meanwhile, lawmakers are considering legislation to legalize online sports betting in North Carolina. In fact, North Carolina residents may be able to start betting online as soon as Jan. 8, 2024.

Online lottery

The North Carolina Educational Lottery is especially popular, and it has become even more so since the state began allowing online sales of lottery tickets. You can purchase tickets online for six draw games: Carolina Cash 5, Lucky for Life, Carolina Pick 4, Carolina Pick 3, Mega Millions and Powerball. You can use the NC Education Lottery website or download and use the official NC Lottery app to purchase tickets. North Carolina was a relative latecomer when it came to introducing a state-run lottery, with tickets going on sale in 2006. However, the state was one of the first in the country to allow online lottery ticket sales, doing so in 2013.

Daily fantasy sports

Like many other states, North Carolina has no specific legislation authorizing daily fantasy sports and, thus, no framework to regulate it or collect taxes on it. However, the state also has no law prohibiting the activity, meaning people in North Carolina are free to enter the contests at DraftKings, FanDuel and other sites.

Poker

Online poker for real money is not an option in North Carolina, although poker players in the state can play online at Global Poker, a sweepstakes-style site. For live poker players, there is an especially popular room at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. The World Series of Poker-branded poker room features 32 tables with cash games around the clock and daily and weekly tournaments. The casino also frequently hosts WSOP Circuit stops, with as many as four in a year.

Charitable gaming and bingo

North Carolina allows various types of charitable gaming, the most popular being bingo. Nonprofit organizations can apply for a charitable bingo license to offer games to produce revenue. These organizations can also offer a limited number of raffles per year. In addition, in 2019, the state legalized game nights as another way for charitable organizations to raise funds, although such events can only happen east of Interstate 26 (i.e., not in proximity to the Cherokee casinos in western NC). Bingo fans can also play beach bingo at various locations for small prizes.

North Carolina online gambling FAQ

What is the minimum legal age to gamble in North Carolina?

It depends on the type of gambling. You must be 18 or older to buy lottery tickets. And you must be at least 21 to gamble in the state’s tribal casinos.

Is it legal to gamble online in North Carolina?

Most forms of online gambling in North Carolina are not legal, including real money online casinos. You can play games at online social and sweepstakes casinos for virtual currencies. You can also purchase lottery tickets online and enter daily fantasy sports contests online. But neither online casinos nor online sportsbooks are legal.

Where can you bet on sports in North Carolina?

North Carolina only allows sports betting at retail sportsbooks at the tribal casinos in the state. At present, Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River each have Caesars sportsbooks, while the Catawba Two Kings Casino has announced a plan to open a sportsbook there, as well. The state does not allow online sports betting, although lawmakers continue to consider legislation to do so.

Is online poker legal in North Carolina?

No, you cannot play real money online poker in North Carolina the way you can in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and a few other states. That means you are not able to play on PokerStars or other online sites. However, you can play poker online at Global Poker, a sweepstakes-style site.

Who regulates gambling in North Carolina?

When it comes to North Carolina’s three tribal casinos, the US Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the tribal-state compacts and otherwise oversees the facilities’ operations. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, a state agency belonging to the Department of Commerce, oversees the NC Education Lottery. The Alcohol Law Enforcement agency, part of the NC Department of Public Safety, enforces criminal laws prohibiting illegal gambling.