Play at the best online casinos in North Carolina for free. We’ve ranked the top social casinos and offers for North Carolina players.
| Online Gambling | Status |
|---|---|
| Social Casinos | Legal |
| Real Money Casinos | Not Legal |
| NC Sportsbooks | Legal |
| Poker | Not Legal |
| DFS | Legal |
Real-money online casinos are not legal in North Carolina, meaning no state-licensed online casino operators currently exist.
However, you can legally play at North Carolina social casinos, which offer games like slots, blackjack and roulette using virtual Gold Coins as currency.
As of February 2026, there is no official timeline for North Carolina to legalize real-money online casinos, and no active legislation is currently advancing that would permit them.
North Carolina has historically taken a conservative approach to gambling expansion. Recent efforts to broaden legal wagering beyond sports betting have faced setbacks in the state legislature, and some lawmakers who previously supported wider casino legalization have since expressed opposition.
Because of this continued resistance, North Carolina does not appear likely to legalize real-money online casino gaming in the near future.
Gambling should be a fun source of entertainment.
If gambling becomes a problem, these resources in North Carolina can offer support and help you take back control:
North Carolina Gambling Addiction Hotline: (844) 779-2637
Problem Gambling Help in North Carolina: 1-800-MY-RESET
Gamblers Anonymous North Carolina Hotline: (919) 460-9039
More Than A Game North Carolina: (877) 718-5543
With two decades of experience, we only recommend the best online casinos in North Carolina for social gaming.
You can play at online social casinos in North Carolina using virtual gold coin currency. These platforms do not require users to deposit real cash funds.
However, real money online casinos are illegal in North Carolina, and the state does not license or regulate any real-money casino operators.
You must be at least 18 to play at online social casinos in North Carolina, although some sites require players to be 21 or older. Players may also be required to verify their identity and age before playing or withdrawing any prizes.
Yes, North Carolina taxes gambling winnings as part of your total state income. All gambling winnings are also taxable at the federal level. Larger payouts may trigger additional IRS reporting requirements, and casinos or other operators may issue a Form W-2G depending on the type and amount of the winnings.