Gambling Options Near North Carolina

As we know, unfortunately, mobile gambling and sports betting legislation has not been passed in North Carolina. There is hope that legislators could pass it in 2023 as they made strides in 2022 toward passing a mobile betting bill. That leaves North Carolina gamblers with few options for legal gambling and sports betting

Here is a look at what is available in and near North Carolina, in case one of those out-of-state locations is closer than the in-state locations.

Retail Sports Betting In NC

Perhaps the saving grace for at least some North Carolina gamblers is that retail gambling and sports betting is legal if hosted by American Indian tribes in North Carolina. There are three such locations in the state two Harrahs Cherokees casinos and the Two Kings Casino.

Harrah’s Cherokee

  • 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
  • (828) 497-7777

A full-service casino and sportsbook are available at the Harrahs Cherokee location. The Hotel is 21 stories and is rated a four-star luxury hotel, with more than 1,100 rooms. The casino has more than 100 table games, a World Series of Poker room, countless slot machines, and other video-based gambling games. The sportsbook is top-class, with many rentable spaces for hosting groups or parties.

Other Casino Amenities include:

  • Full-Service Spa
  • Food from fast food options to high-class choices.
  • 15,000 square foot conference center.
  • 3,000 square foot entertainment center.

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River

  • 777 Casino Parkway Murphy, NC 28906
  • (828) 422-7777

Located just over an hour from the larger Harrahs Cherokee location, the Harrahs Cherokee Valley River offers many of the same great options as its parent casino. It will only get bigger and better with plans for a new expansion. It is a travel destination for many looking to gamble in North Carolina while enjoying the scenic smoky mountains.

Two Kings Casino

  • 538 Kings Mountain Blvd. Kings Mountain, NC 28086
  • (704) 750-7777

The Two Kings Casino being labeled a casino is generous as, at the moment, it is a bit-piece casino and sportsbook jammed inside a shopping center. This is only temporary while the full casino is being built. Once construction is complete, it should rival the Cherokee tribe’s two Harrahs locations as far as amenities are concerned.

We went inside the new sportsbook. Check out what we saw.

Nearby Locations Where Gambling is Legal

One thing that some North Carolina residents can consider since mobile sports betting and gambling are not an option inside state borders is to travel to a nearby state where it is. Georgia and South Carolina are two of the four states that border North Carolina. Neither of these states allows sports gambling, nor do they have land-based casinos or sportsbooks.

Tennessee and Virginia, on the other hand, do have some options.

Tennessee

Neighboring North Carolina to the west, Tennessee has full legal gambling and sports betting. With no casinos in the state, users do not have the option of going in person. But if you live close by or find yourself traveling to or through Tennessee, you can download an app or play on a computer at countless Tennessee internet gambling or sportsbook options.

All of the major sportsbooks are available in Tennessee. They include DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook.

Virginia

With gambling legal, both mobile and retail, in Virginia, bordering North Carolina to the north, it is another option to get your gambling fix. Users can do the same as they would in Tennessee and just drive into Virginia and use mobile sports betting or gambling. Yet there are several retail locations within a few hours. Here are just a few within three hours of the North Carolina border:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol

  • 500 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, VA 24201
  • (276) 696-3660

Rosie’s Gaming Emporium

  • 1996 Power Plant Pkwy, Hampton, VA 23666
  • (804) 557-5600

Rosie’s Gaming Emporium

  • 1135 Vinyard Rd, Vinton, VA 24179
  • (804) 557-5480

Rivers Casino Portsmouth

  • 3630 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
  • (757) 840-2100

Treasure Box

  • 5193 Shore Dr STE 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  • (919) 804-1719

Where to play online casinos

There is no momentum for North Carolina residents to play online casinos at home anytime soon.

There are also no states in the region with regulated online casinos, such as FanDuel Casino, available.

About the Author

Caleb Tallman

Caleb Tallman is a Journalist working with NC Sharp and has been writing sports and sports gambling content since 2019. Caleb has also written for various other publications, mainly as a ghostwriter. With solid experience and a wealth of sports gambling knowledge, whether legal information or betting predictions, Caleb provides everything sports bettors could be looking for.