Unfortunately, betting on the NFL legally online in North Carolina is not an option. Online sports legislation was ready to hit a game-winning kick this summer, but North Carolina legislators just couldn’t get into field goal range, so to speak, to allow it to happen.
Although NC online sports betting apps are not an option, there is some good news. There are three casinos in the state that offer retail sportsbooks. All three of those retail sportsbooks are full go for NFL betting for North Carolina bettors while also offering a full range of other sports to bet on.
Online Sports Betting Legislation
This past summer, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill and sent it to the House of Representatives. House members, though, could not pass legislation. After SB 688 had some significant amendments to make it more passable potentially, it still failed to pass.
The best chance for online sports betting is now for legislators to pass sports betting legislation in one of the 2023 legislative windows. One thing to mention is that with elections this year, there could be new North Carolina Senate and House members, potentially giving a higher chance for a bill to pass.
The chance of launching sports betting legislation will be sometime in 2024 at the earliest. That is only if the legislation passes in 2023, meaning the three retail sports books in North Carolina are the only place a North Carolinian can legally place a bet, perhaps on the Carolina Panthers.
Where to place your bets: Best NFL betting sites in NC
North Carolina’s 3 Retail Sportsbooks
With no online sports betting, there are only retail sportsbooks for North Carolina sports bettors to make wagers.
The Book At Harrah’s Cherokee Sportsbook:
- 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
- (828) 497-7777
The sportsbook has the classic feel sports bettors are looking for. The state-of-the-art sportsbook centers around a massive 90-foot viewing screen. Users can place wagers at ticket windows or the self-service kiosks. The sportsbook sits on the casino floor, making it convenient for patrons to stroll back and forth between casino gambling and making sports bets.
One unique feature of the sportsbook is the tickets patrons can buy for their different reservable areas.
- Luxury Fan Caves
- Large and Small Upper Deck Areas
- Cocktail Tables
- Main Level Chair
All of these are reservable online to give you the perfect sports betting experience on an NFL Sunday, college football Saturday or any other event you and a group may be looking to have a party for.
The Book At Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Sportsbook:
- 777 Casino Parkway Murphy, NC 28906
- (828) 422-7777
A similar but smaller version of their parent casino, the Valley River Sportsbook, still has everything a North Carolina bettor might need. With a viewing area centered around a 32-foot big screen, bettors can watch their wagers unfold. With convenient betting kiosks and bar top gaming, the experience at Valley River is worth checking out.
Two Kings Casino Sportsbook:
- 538 Kings Mountain Blvd. Kings Mountain, NC 28086
- (704) 750-7777
Having opened just in time for the NFL season, the Two Kings Casino Sportsbook is the newest of the North Carolina’s three sportsbooks. Currently, the Two Kings Casino is still operating out of a scaled-down temporary facility. To call the betting kiosks onsite, a sportsbook would be generous. Yet, with the building of the new facility, expect the new sportsbook, once built along with the rest of the casino, to rival both of the Harrah’s retail sportsbooks in North Carolina.
Surrounding States with Legal Online Sports Betting
North Carolina borders four other states, and half of them do have legal online sports betting. The Tennessee sports betting market is alive and well. Users can place online wagers using many of the nation’s best sports betting providers. Virginia is the other bordering state where North Carolina bettors could go to make wagers. It has a similar landscape to Tennessee and very few restrictions regarding being able to bet online conveniently.
Georgia and South Carolina are in similar situations to North Carolina, where legislation has been worked on, but nothing has been passed. North Carolinians should also remember that they can play daily fantasy sports and claim bonuses. DFS can be fun and has many similarities to sports betting while still remaining legal in the state.
AP Photo/Danny Karnik
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