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Last Updated Jun 27, 2022, 09:00 AM ET
North Carolina will not legalize online sports betting in 2022.
Two North Carolina online sports betting bills passed three committees in the 24 hours leading up to a June 22 vote on the House Floor — but lawmakers threw up a late stop sign, voting 51-50 in opposition of SB 688. North Carolina bettors will now have to wait until 2023, at the earliest, to place mobile wagers with the best sports betting sites in the U.S.
As with all other forms of gambling, North Carolina has been strict when it comes to sports betting opportunities which remain limited to in-person only.
Keep reading for a detailed summary of everything you need to know about sports wagering in North Carolina.
Yes, it is. North Carolina officially legalized sports betting on July 26, 2019, after Gov. Roy Cooper signed S 154 into law.
Despite the early adoption of sports betting, Tar Heel State bettors weren’t able to place their first wagers until March 18, 2021, when the Eastern Band of Cherokee officially went live with sportsbooks at its two brick-and-mortar casinos. These are currently the only locales in the state where sports betting is permitted.
In January 2021, the Catawba Nation and Gov. Roy Cooper entered a controversial tribal-state compact that would authorize the tribe to allow gambling at its planned Two Kings Casino, forecasting an eventual third retail location for sports bettors. The Eastern Band of Cherokee has vehemently opposed every move of the Catawba tribe’s, disputing the claim that the Catawba have ancestral ties to the area around Kings Mountain. The federal government and the state have consistently sided with the Catawba Nation, however, and as of July 2021, a pre-launch version of Two Kings Casino has been in operation.
North Carolina online sports betting nearly became a reality in 2022, but Senate Bill 688 failed to pass a House vote on June 22, 2022. Although amendments to the bill were agreed upon earlier in the day (SB 38), including the removal of all college sports betting, lawmakers balked at the idea of legalizing statewide mobile wagering.
Follow North Carolina’s and each state's progress with our sports betting legal tracker.
Although North Carolina legalized retail sports betting in July 2019, it wasn’t until March 18, 2021, that the state took its first legal wager. The currently available in-person experience continues to be a topic of intense debate, with the Eastern Band of Cherokee — the only tribe in the state with fully realized casinos — consistently standing in opposition to the Catawba tribe’s movement towards building its own gambling facility.
Online sports betting remains elusive in the Tar Heel State, though lawmakers nearly pushed two bills across the finish line in June 2022.
Read on to learn about critical moments in North Carolina’s sports betting history:
June 24, 2022: Two Kings Casino plans to open before the start of the 2022 NFL season.
June 22, 2022: North Carolina's late push to legalize online sports betting in 2022 falls apart. After removing college sports betting and passing SB 38 by a vote of 51-50 on the House floor, lawmakers vote against SB 688 by the same margin.
June 21, 2022: The two sports betting bills — SB 688 and SB 38 — pass through the House Judiciary 1 Committee by a 6-3 vote. Several steps still remain before either bill can become law.
June 20, 2022: Sports betting bills SB 688 and an amended SB 38 will be put to a vote in the House on Tuesday, June 21.
June 17, 2022: The Senate tweaks SB 688 to increase licensing fees and the proposed tax rate. Now, operators seeking licenses would need to pay $1 million and the tax rate, while unspecified, is expected to be north of 10%.
June 15, 2022: Sports betting proponents expect the North Carolina House to pass a mobile sports wagering bill by the June 30 deadline. Still, tweaks to SB 688 and/or HB 361 are inevitable. Tax rates and licensing fees are among the wrinkles to be ironed out before a bill is sent to Gov. Roy Cooper.
June 2, 2022: The North Carolina House has yet to discuss the online sports betting bill. There are 28 days remaining in the 2022 legislative session.
May 25, 2022: With about a month left in the 2022 legislative session, North Carolina lawmakers hold firm that legal sports betting will be made available statewide. Sen. Paul Lowe notes that he feels "confident" SB 688 will pass.
May 5, 2022: With North Carolina's 2022 legislative session set to begin on May 18, 2022, stakeholders believe that SB 688 will pass and widespread legal sports betting will arrive.
April 21, 2022: The state Senate has approved a bill to legalize sports wagering, which goes to the House for consideration in May.
Feb. 18, 2022: DraftKings, during its Q4 earnings call, names North Carolina as a potential market for its online sportsbook, pending legal online sports wagering comes into law.
Feb. 15, 2022: Charlotte's first legal retail sportsbook may find a home at Catawba Two Kings Casino.
Jan. 4, 2022: Movement towards a lottery-controlled market is in the cards for 2022, but potentially limited to 10-12 mobile licenses.
Nov. 4, 2021: The House Commerce Committee approves SB 688 by a vote of 12-4, but the bill must pass through three more committees before it can be finalized. Rep. Jason Saine notes that it will likely be 2022 before more forward movement occurs.
Aug. 19, 2021: The North Carolina Senate passes SB 688 by a 26-19 vote, moving it on to the House.
July 2021: The Catawba tribe officially opens a pre-launch version of its Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
May 21, 2021: The Eastern Band of Cherokee appeals the decision of Judge Boasberg, which gave the Catawba Nation the green light to begin work on its Two Kings Casino.
April 16, 2021: Judge James A. Boasberg rules in favor of the Catawba Nation’s quest to build a casino in Kings Mountain.
April 7, 2021: Sens. Jim Perry and Paul Lowe file SB 688, which would, among other things, make mobile sports betting legal in the Tar Heel State.
March 25, 2021: The Catawba Nation secures federal approval of its gaming compact with the state.
March 18, 2021: The two Harrah’s casinos officially open their sportsbooks and begin taking the state’s first legal sports bets.
Feb. 25, 2021: The amended gaming compact between the Eastern Band of Cherokee and the state is approved by the federal government.
January 2021: Gov. Cooper controversially enters into a tribal-state compact with the Catawba Nation to allow various forms of gambling, including on sports, at its proposed casino in Kings Mountain.
March 17, 2020: The Eastern Band of Cherokee files a federal lawsuit against the decision to approve the Catawba Nation’s request to build its Two Kings Casino.
March 12, 2020: The U.S. Department of the Interior approves the Catawba tribe’s application to build a casino in Kings Mountain.
Dec. 11, 2020: Gov. Roy Cooper and the Eastern Band of Cherokee submit an amended gaming compact required by the arrival of the new sports betting law to the Department of the Interior for review.
July 26, 2019: Gov. Roy Cooper officially signs S 154 into law, legalizing sports betting in North Carolina. The law authorizes sports wagering on tribal lands, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee becomes the only eligible tribe to offer the practice.
May 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) repeals the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing individual states to create their own sports betting rules and regulations.
Residents who are 21 or older are eligible to bet on sports. They can go to one of two Harrah’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
Review these tips before placing your first sports bet in North Carolina.
Legal ageSports betting in NC is reserved for individuals 21 and older.
Mobile bettingNo form of legal mobile betting has been approved so far. The latest online sports betting bill, SB 688, came up short in a June 2022 House vote. Should North Carolina lawmakers pass a similar bill in 2023, sports bettors will be able to place wagers anywhere in the Tar Heel State.
Remote registrationBettors will enjoy fully remote registration once online sports betting is legalized. It will not be mandatory for people within the state to sign up for or verify an online sportsbook account in person.
Within state bordersNorth Carolina will leverage geolocation tracking software to verify your location like other states with legal sports betting laws and regulations in place. You won’t have to be an NC resident, but you will have to be located physically within the state's borders to place bets. At present, the only legal wagers that can be placed are limited to tribal retail properties.
Retail sportsbooksThere are only two active, fully realized retail sportsbooks in North Carolina, both operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. One is Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, and the other is Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel. Additionally, the Catawba Nation tribe offers a temporary version of its forthcoming Two Kings Casino, although its sportsbook is not yet open.
Taxable winningsIn North Carolina, gambling can only occur at tribal casinos, and in exchange for this exclusive right, revenue-sharing payments are provided to the state. In 2022, winnings are subject to a 6% tax.
Legal sports betting in North Carolina has been possible since March 18, 2021. But until mobile wagering arrives, bettors may search for nearby neighborly options, such as Virginia and Tennessee. Both offer fully regulated and legalized mobile sports betting.
So long as you are physically located within those jurisdictions, you are free to register and place a sports bet. Online bettors can download one of the authorized mobile sports betting apps and begin betting.
The state of broadening the sports betting market in North Carolina is an ongoing battle. But the two existing retail locations operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee are better than nothing, and the Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino is scheduled to open in time for the 2022 NFL season.
With lawmakers advancing SB 38, and then subsequently killing SB 688, it's clear there is still work to be done if North Carolina is to legalize mobile sports betting in 2023.
Plenty of opposition to online wageringIn-person betting limited to two locationsCollege sports betting appears unlikelySenate Bill 688 called for as many as 12 mobile sportsbooks in North Carolina. If a similar proposal is brought forth in 2023, NC bettors could eventually have access to a plethora of sports wagering options. Until then, familiarize yourself with the general setup process.
The list of approved operators beyond Caesars has yet to be finalized. Still, we're expecting to see more prominent industry players get a seat at North Carolina’s sports betting table should mobile betting arrive.
Researching each feature and reading sportsbook reviews is vital — you'll want to identify which one of the bunch, or multiple options, best satisfies your betting requirements.
The pledge to eventually integrate remote registration means North Carolina sports bettors will have the option to sign-up with a sportsbook from pretty much anywhere in the state. All users will have to share their personal information, and identity verification checks will be required.
Online sportsbooks should offer North Carolinians plenty of promotions if and when they debut. Sign-up bonuses, risk-free bets, no-deposit bonuses, deposit matches, and additional incentives should be on the way.
Adding real money funds to your account before choosing any wagers is necessary.
Regulated NC sportsbooks accept the use of credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, pre-paid cards, cash at casino cages, and digital payment methods like PayPal for minimum deposits. Similar options are available for withdrawals, too.
The two Harrah’s casinos offer these popular bet types: moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, parlays, teasers, futures, and live bets. It would make sense that all other upcoming sportsbooks do the same.
Again, although there are merely two in-person options right now, new locations appear likely to arrive relatively soon. We always advise players to shop betting lines and compare pricing before making a bet.
The speed at which you secure sports bet winnings is important. Review the sportsbook's terms and conditions and read third-party reviews to gauge their response times. Depending on the sportsbook or withdrawal method, you may incur fees on the transaction.
North Carolina follows the lead of all U.S. states and displays American betting odds as the default selection.
You can spot favorites by looking for the minus sign (-), and the value that follows identifies the amount you must wager to win $100. In this example, -190 odds mean you need to risk $190 to win $100.
Look out for the plus sign (+) to identify underdogs, highlighting the amount you would win if you placed a $100 bet. For example, +110 odds indicate that a $100 wager would net $110 in profit.
We developed an odds converter to help you toggle between American, fractions, or decimals odds.
North Carolinians can wager at one of two tribal properties. All professional, college, and Olympic sports are feasible options.
It is not legal to wager on politics in North Carolina at the state or federal level.
Betting on awards shows, including the Oscars, is not permitted in NC.
The Tar Heel State allows college sports betting, including wagering on in-state collegiate teams, at its tribal casinos. However, SB 38 would have banned all college sports betting in North Carolina, including wagers on out-of-state teams.
At present, you cannot bet on esports in North Carolina. However, SB 688 contained provisions that included esports as a viable wagering option.
There are only two locations for retail sports betting in NC: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone Number | Odds Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Book | Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort | 777 Casino Dr., Cherokee, NC, 28719 | (828) 497-7777 | Caesars |
| The Book | Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel | 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC, 28906 | (828) 422-7777 | Caesars |
North Carolinians have a storied history of supporting their hometown teams. Making informed and well-researched bets is an excellent way to eliminate bias, and blindly backing the home team can wind up damaging your bankroll.
Our how to bet guides provide actionable insights for new and intermediate bettors.
North Carolina is not one of the more gambling-friendly states. Beyond the few tribal casinos, the only other options for legal gaming are the state lottery, charitable gaming, and bingo.
CasinoTwo tribal casinos operate in North Carolina, both run by the Eastern Band of Cherokee. The Catawba tribe has also opened a preliminary, temporary version of its likely forthcoming Two Kings Casino. Plenty of traditional table games and slots can be found at all of these locations.
PokerThe only legal way for players to partake in poker games is to visit one of the state’s tribal casinos. NC law considers poker a game of chance, and it is therefore illegal in any other location.
Horse racingWhile there are no active horse racing operations in North Carolina, tribal casinos allow off-track wagering on racing. Pari-mutuel and fixed odds betting are available on tribal property only.
Daily fantasy sportsIn North Carolina, no laws prohibiting playing fantasy sports exist. It falls within a grey area, meaning that DFS operators can run without interference from the state. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Monkey Knife Fight are among the more popular operators.
With such a focused history of limiting gambling in the state, North Carolina has put significant resources into responsible gambling education and support programs. North Carolinians with gambling problems can leverage preventative measures with just a click or phone call.
The NC Education Lottery, for example, has a program called Play Smart, which centers around the education, encouragement, and empowerment of lottery players.
Visit the North Carolina Council on Problem GamingEach state became able to legalize and regulate sports betting following the strike down of PASPA in 2018. These states have already done that:
The following is a list of states moving toward legal sports betting that may potentially be getting close to generating their own markets:
Legal mobile betting is not coming to North Carolina in 2022. While it may be tempting to seek out options elsewhere in the meantime, we advise you to not risk your money and waste your time with unregulated sportsbooks that operate illegally.
Yes. However, sports betting is currently limited to the state's two tribal casinos: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
Right now, retail sports betting is the sole option in the state. Bettors can visit either Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort or Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
No. Senate Bill 688 would've brought legal mobile sports betting to North Carolina, but it failed to garner enough votes to pass through the House in June 2022.
The state's two tribal casinos do offer off-track betting on horse racing. Pari-mutuel and fixed odds wagering are available only on tribal lands.
No, but sports betting is highly restricted in North Carolina. There is no way to legally bet online and there are only two fully realized retail locations.
The Tribal Gaming Commission is responsible for the regulation of all gaming activities on Eastern Cherokee Lands. The North Carolina Lottery Commission has limited regulatory scope over tribal gaming to ensure compliance with compact provisions.
The minimum age to legally bet on sports and casino games in North Carolina is 21. If you are 18, you can wager on the state lottery.
Daily fantasy sports live in a grey area in North Carolina, and are neither sanctioned nor prohibited. Therefore, DFS operators run without hinderance from the state.
Joshua Howe is a commercial content editor at Covers, assisting experts in making smarter sports bettors. Prior to joining the team in 2021, the experienced writer and editor worked in a variety of industries, including sports, marketing, and publishing.
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