Best North Carolina Sportsbooks | Guide to NC Sports Betting 2025

Sports betting options in North Carolina have expanded significantly. The official launch of sports betting was on March 11, 2024. North Carolina has now paved the way for eight sportsbooks to operate.

You’ll find prominent names like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars among the best USA betting apps. This development follows the legislation signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, which has made online sports betting and horse racing legal across North Carolina.

As a part of our rigorous, 10-step review process, we evaluate how sportsbooks serve bettors in each state. That means we consider how sports and markets, promotions, mobile product, and more features are made available in legal states and which ones work best.

Our first and foremost criterion is a license from the North Carolina Lottery Commission to operate. Without that, we cannot and will not recommend a North Carolina sportsbook to our users. Luckily, our top North Carolina mobile sportsbooks are well-versed in running secure apps.

We grade every sportsbook out of 10 by averaging our scores across 10 categories, resulting in the scores you see ranking North Carolina betting sites above. Learn more about how we rate and review sportsbooks at Gambling.com.

For each sportsbook, simply follow these easy and straightforward steps:

1. Click "sign up" on the website or app.
2. Make your first deposit.
3. Choose a sport and select a market to bet on.
4. Enter how much you wish to bet and submit your bet slip.

You must be 21 or older to bet in North Carolina. To place a bet in North Carolina, you must show a photo ID as proof of age. This is part of North Carolina sports betting regulations to prevent underage gambling. 

You must be physically located within the Tar Heel State. Geolocation technology will enforce this to check your location. A strong WiFi connection is advised, especially near state borders. 

Most U.S. states follow similar restrictions.

North Carolina has become a key player in online sports betting. Previously, it was limited to sports betting at two tribal casinos, including the Cherokee Valley River Casino. The state expanded its reach in 2023 when Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347, and now, online sports betting is available for Tar Heel State residents.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission oversees online sports betting, allowing up to 12 online operators. Eight sports facilities can also open retail betting lounges. Mobile licenses will cost $1 million yearly for five years, with an 18% tax on sports betting revenue. Betting on pro, college, and Olympic sports is permitted.

Bettors must be in North Carolina to place bets, verified by geolocation software. 

Like all states in the United States, the IRS taxes North Carolina sports betting winnings. You must declare all winnings to the IRS and complete a W-2G form if you win over $600. Sportsbooks can hold up to 25% of your winnings for tax purposes. You can deduct the losses from your winnings when completing your tax forms.

Just shy of the one-year mark, North Carolina has generated over $583M in revenue and over $105M in taxes, significantly more than the North Carolina General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division's forecast of $64.6M. This research predicted that the state would generate up to $100.6 million in Year 4.

Of the funds generated by the state from legal sports betting, $2 million will be invested into the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) for gambling addiction education and treatment programs.

North Carolina amateur sports will receive a $1 million grant to fund a program to increase youth sports opportunities.

What's more, $1 million will be given to North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission grants, and the state will pump $300,000 each into 13 state universities every year to support their athletic departments. Up to $500,000 will also be put aside for NCLC expenses.

After that, 50% of any remaining proceeds will go to the state's General Fund, 30% to the North Carolina Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund, and 20% will be distributed equally to the 13 universities above to support their athletic departments increasingly.

• July 11, 2024: Sen. Julie Mayfield tells Gambling.com that the bill to prohibit these prop bets won’t make it out of the Legislature in 2024.
• July 5, 2024: Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy will open a 12-story hotel tower by the end of 2024.
• May 1, 2024: House Bill 967, which would ban prop betting on college sports, is filed in the House, while Senate Bill 788 is filed in the Senate.
• March 11, 2024: North Carolina online sports betting launches with eight operators.
• June 14, 2023: Gov. Cooper's signature officially legalized sports betting in North Carolina. 
• June 7, 2023: After Senate amendments, the House approved HB 347 again. 
• March 30, 2023: The North Carolina State House passes Bill 347, sending it to the Senate for amendments and approvals.
• Sept. 7, 2022: The Catawba Two Kings casino adds a retail sportsbook.
• June 22, 2022: The state House voted 50-51 against Senate Bill 688, which would have allowed 10 to 12 online NC sportsbooks to launch.
• March 18, 2021: North Carolina introduces sports betting in 2021 at two Harrah's tribal casinos. 
• July 26, 2019: Retail North Carolina sportsbooks at tribal casinos become legal. Senate Bill 154 passed the Senate with a 43-7 vote, the House followed with a 90-27 vote, and Cooper signed it into law.

Over the years, some lawmakers in the state have been less than enthusiastic about introducing legal sports betting and mobile betting on North Carolina sportsbooks. However, those favoring the bill want to increase the state's tourism, jobs, and revenue.

In comparison to other legal sports betting states, North Carolina differs in three key ways:

1. Tax rate
2. Partnerships with in-state teams, venues, or leagues
3. Betting on college sports

One positive for North Carolina compared to other states is the amount of revenue it looks set to generate. Each North Carolina sports betting license holder's gross gaming revenue will be taxed at 18% after the Senate raised the rate from the House's 14% suggestion.

According to North Carolina law, this is "the total of amounts received by an interactive sports wagering operator from sports wagers as authorized under this Article, less the amounts paid as winnings before any deductions for expenses, fees, or taxes."

However, the tax rate in neighboring Virginia is 15%, while in neighboring Tennessee, the state taxes operators based on the total amount bet. Furthermore, Michigan taxes its online sports betting operators at 8.4%, and Ohio, which launched sports betting in January 2023, doubled its tax rate within six months.

To launch North Carolina sportsbooks, operators must also have a written agreement with a sports team, venue, or league. Eight sportsbooks currently have their licenses and are operating without significant issues.

Unlike in other states, such as Vermont, North Carolina sports betting doesn't have restrictions on games featuring in-state colleges.

While North Carolina could one day regret not implementing stricter college betting regulations like some of the other states, some North Carolina punters may be more familiar with sports betting regulations than residents of other states who have welcomed such betting for the first time. That's because in-person sports betting is already allowed at certain locations.

Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort: You can find Harrah's Cherokee Casino resort in Cherokee with a sportsbook featuring a 90-foot game wall, bar service, and both kiosks and windows to place bets.

There are also three private Fan Caves for hire if you want to experience VIP betting with a group of friends. 

Caesars at Harrah's Cherokee Valley River: Harrah's Cherokee Valley River is located in Murphy, the Westernmost seat in NC.

You can place bets at five self-service kiosks or one of four ticket windows, and a large TV wall with reclining seating allows you to enjoy all the action. 

Catawba Two Kings Sportsbook: The Catawba Two Kings Sportsbook opened in the fall of 2022 and is located in Kings Mountain. All-day betting kiosks and wall-to-wall TVs ensure you don't miss a minute of the key games.

The sports betting scene in North Carolina is like a friendly neighborhood game—growing and full of excitement, especially among those who love a good college basketball rivalry like the famous Duke versus UNC matchup. Thanks to the recent approval of the law and the launch of sports betting, the state, traditionally conservative regarding gambling, warmly welcomed the idea. 

For North Carolina fans, it's all about capturing the fun and potential perks of betting on sports, turning game-watching into a more social and engaging activity.

North Carolina boasts three major league sports teams and 19 NCAA Division I schools, giving sports fans plenty of teams to cheer.

First-time North Carolina bettors should also remember that it is essential to practice responsible gambling. Bettors should only bet what they can afford to lose, and if they are wagering and the fun stops, they should stop betting.

You can get help for gambling addiction and other problem gambling issues by contacting state-specific charity organizations like the North Carolina National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous. The NCPGP provides and supports effective problem gambling prevention, education, outreach, and treatment services throughout North Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) also supports the gambling assistance program More Than a Game:

• Phone: 877-718-5543
• Text: Send phrase morethanagamenc to 53342
• Live chat: morthanagame.nc.gov

The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission also works with land-based sportsbooks to ensure staff members are trained to identify signs of problem gambling and take appropriate action.