Is sports betting legal 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.
Right now, online sports betting is illegal, but North Carolinians may not have to wait long until that changes. Senate Bill 688 would bring mobile wagering to the state, along with numerous other changes, including an eight percent tax rate for operators. With the 2021 session coming to an end, the bill is primed to become a high priority early in 2022.
Follow North Carolina’s and each state's progress with our sports betting legal tracker.
Timeline of North Carolina sports betting
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. While mobile betting looks to become a reality in 2022, 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.
Read on to learn about critical moments in North Carolina’s sports betting history:
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.
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.
March 12, 2020: The U.S. Department of the Interior approves the Catawba tribe’s application to build a 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.
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.
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.
Feb. 25, 2021: The amended gaming compact between the Eastern Band of Cherokee and the state is approved by the federal government.
March 18, 2021: The two Harrah’s casinos officially open their sportsbooks and begin taking the state’s first legal sports bets.
March 25, 2021: The Catawba Nation secures federal approval of its gaming compact with the state.
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.
April 16, 2021: Judge James A. Boasberg rules in favor of the Catawba Nation’s quest to build a 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.
July 2021: The Catawba tribe officially opens a pre-launch version of its Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
Aug. 19, 2021: The North Carolina Senate passes SB 688 by a 26-19 vote, moving it on to the House.
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.
Jan. 4, 2022: Movement towards a lottery-controlled market is in the cards for 2022, but potentially limited to 10-12 mobile licenses.
Online sports betting: Coming soon to NC
Although online sports betting isn’t accessible yet, North Carolinians aren’t wholly in the dark. Senate Bill 688 would ensure 10 to 12 mobile sportsbooks would be given licenses to operate.
It is unlikely that the bill will come to fruition in 2021 but should be a high priority early in 2022. The ultimate goal is for the Tar Heel State to launch mobile sports wagering prior to the March Madness tournament.
Who can bet on sports in North Carolina?
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 age
Sports betting in NC is reserved for individuals 21 and older.
Mobile betting
No form of legal mobile betting has been approved so far. However, should SB 688 be signed into law, 10 to 12 mobile licenses would be distributed to numerous sportsbooks.
Remote registration
Bettors will enjoy fully remote registration once the Tar Heel State legalizes online wagering. It will not be mandatory for people within the state to sign up for or verify an online sportsbook account in person.
Within state borders
North 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 sportsbooks
There 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 potentially forthcoming Two Kings Casino, although its sportsbook is not yet open.
Taxable winnings
In 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 2021, winnings are subject to a 5% tax, and starting in 2022, that number will increase to 6%. Should SB 688 eventually become law and introduce mobile wagering, the state lottery commission would collect an 8% tax on all sports betting revenue.
Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2022
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 apps and begin betting.
The pros and cons of NC sports 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 eventual completion of the Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino seems likely.
Undeniably, hope for the future lies with SB 688 and its journey to legalize mobile sports betting in the state. Should it go through, the North Carolina Lottery Commission would oversee regulating sports betting and issue 10 to 12 licenses to waiting companies.
Retail betting available at two Harrah’s casinos
Eventual mobile betting and fully remote registration
Various local college and professional teams
No online or mobile betting yet
In-person betting limited to two locations
Neighboring states stealing market share
How to start betting in North Carolina
With as many as 12 mobile sportsbooks possibly entering the market in the near future and the option of visiting retail sportsbooks, NC bettors should eventually have access to a plethora of sports wagering options. Until then, familiarize yourself with the general setup process.
1
Select a sportsbook
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.
2
Register online
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.
3
Claim a bonus
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.
4
Deposit funds
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.
6
Start betting
Again, although there are merely two in-person options right now, new locations and online wagering appear likely to arrive relatively soon. We always advise players to shop betting lines and compare pricing before making a bet.
7
Withdraw funds
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.
Reading the odds
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.
What you can't bet on in North Carolina
North Carolinians can wager at one of two tribal properties. All professional, college, and Olympic sports are feasible options.
Politics
It is not legal to wager on politics in North Carolina at the state or federal level.
Entertainment award ceremonies
Betting on awards shows, including the Oscars, is not permitted in NC.
What about North Carolina college sports?
The Tar Heel State allows college sports betting, including wagering on in-state collegiate teams, at its tribal casinos.
What about esports?
At present, you cannot bet on esports in North Carolina. However, SB 688 contains provisions that include esports as a viable wagering option.
Legal sportsbooks in North Carolina
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.
North Carolina's land-based sportsbooks
| 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 |
Home team advantage: NC sports
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.
Other types of gambling
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.
Casino
Two 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.
Poker
The 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 racing
While 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 sports
In 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.
Responsible gaming in North Carolina
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 Gaming
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
Each state became able to legalize and regulate sports betting following the strike down of PASPA in 2018. These states have already done that:
