North Carolina Sports Betting - Best NC Sportsbooks in September 2026

North Carolina sports betting key details

Browse the pertinent details about the North Carolina sports betting market in 2026 below:

	North Carolina Betting Facts
North Carolina online sports betting status	Live ✅
Legal betting age	21+
Number of betting licenses	8
Online betting sites	8
Tax rate	18%
State regulator	North Carolina Education Lottery
Last verified	Sept. 16, 2026

All verified North Carolina sportsbook bonus codes

Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?

Covers Expert Analysis

"Yes, North Carolina has legalized online and retail sports betting. You can register and wager with any of the top eight online sportsbooks available in the Tar Heel State today."

Joshua Howe, Content Manager

Legal North Carolina betting sites began accepting wagers on March 11, 2024 after Gov. Roy Cooper signed North Carolina's online sports betting bill, HB 347, into law on June 14, 2023.

North Carolina has permitted legal retail sports betting since Gov. Cooper signed S 154 into law in 2019. However, the first legal wager wasn't placed until 2021, when the Eastern Band of Cherokee introduced North Carolina sportsbooks at two physical casinos. Catawba Two Kings Casino opened a third sportsbook in 2022. 

Stay updated on North Carolina and other states' progress with our sports betting legal tracker.

Top 6 North Carolina sports betting apps reviewed

Currently, the Tar Heel State is home to eight licensed sports betting apps — bet365, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, theScore Bet, and Underdog.

We've thoroughly assessed each operator, from user experience to sportsbook promos, outlining the top six North Carolina sports betting sites and apps below:

🥇 Top NC Sportsbooks – FanDuel: Get up to $350 in Bonus Bets

1. FanDuel North Carolina

Expert Verdict

FanDuel is a premier legal sports betting app for North Carolina online sports bettors. The FanDuel Sportsbook app is equipped with a user-friendly design and solid navigation. Users can easily discover its many industry-leading features, such as competitive odds, a variety of betting markets, numerous secure mobile banking options, and its great 'Live now' section.

Joshua Howe Content Manager

Check out our FanDuel review for further analysis.

	FanDuel Sportsbook
Is FanDuel live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.9/5 (1.9M reviews)
Android rating	4.6/5 (382K reviews)

2. bet365 North Carolina

Expert Verdict

Sports bettors from Norway to Newfoundland rave about the bet365 Sportsbook app, and now, North Carolina bettors know why. bet365 is available for free on iOS and Android mobile devices, featuring a wide range of enticing promotions, such as frequent bet boosts and pre-built same-game parlays for specific matches. The bet365 NC mobile app also features built-in live streaming, so you can watch and wager on top events in real time.

Joshua Howe Content Manager

	bet365 Sportsbook
Is bet365 live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.8/5 (187.5K reviews)
Android rating	4.5/5 (33.9K reviews)

Bonus bet amounts not returned with winnings. Min. deposit required. Must register with app only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

3. DraftKings North Carolina

Expert Verdict

DraftKings offers an elite mobile sportsbook that is sure to be a staple in every North Carolinian's rotation. The top-rated online sportsbook offers a user-friendly interface that makes it seamless to access its wide array of betting markets and impressive live betting section. For all Carolina Panthers fans out there, know that the DraftKings Sportsbook sports betting app also sits firmly on our list of best football betting sites in 2026.

Joshua Howe Content Manager

Our DraftKings promo code review page offers an in-depth look at this great NC sportsbook.

	DraftKings Sportsbook
Is DraftKings live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.8/5  (845.7K reviews)
Android rating	4.3/5  (175K reviews)

DraftKings responsible gaming  

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4. BetMGM North Carolina

Expert Verdict

The arrival of the BetMGM Sportsbook app should cause a roar of cheers from North Carolina sports bettors, as the online operator provides an exceptional mobile offering for sports fans. The BetMGM app has a great live betting section that presents numerous micro-betting opportunities for most sports markets. It's also one of the best betting sites for deposits and withdrawal options, so you can be assured that all of your transactions are secured and processed quickly.

Joshua Howe Content Manager

Refer to our BetMGM bonus code review for an in-depth analysis.

	BetMGM Sportsbook
Is BetMGM live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.8/5 (239.4K reviews)
Android rating	4.2/5 (36.6K reviews)

5. Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina

Expert Verdict

Fanatics is known mainly in North America for selling sports merchandise, but after inking a partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes, NC bettors now gain access to Fanatics Sportsbook. This emerging mobile U.S. sports betting app has great live betting, same-game parlays, and more enticing features for NC bettors to enjoy. 

Joshua Howe Content Manager

Check out our Fanatics Sportsbook review to learn more.

	Fanatics Sportsbook
Is Fanatics Sportsbook live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.8/5 (135.7K reviews)
Android rating	4.6/5 (29.3K reviews)

6. Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina

Expert Verdict

Caesars Sportsbook sports betting app will take the North Carolina mobile betting landscape by storm, as the gaming giant has operated in the American gambling landscape for over 50 years and is aging like a fine wine. The Caesars Sportsbook app allows you to easily discover and place wagers on its wide range of betting markets with just a few taps. Caesars Sportsbook is also one of the industry's top basketball betting sites, which is good news for all Charlotte Hornets fans out there.

Joshua Howe Content Manager

Visit our Caesars Sportsbook review for more information.

	Caesars Sportsbook
Is Caesars Sportsbook live in North Carolina?	Yes ✅
App Store rating	4.7/5 (89.3K reviews)
Android rating	4.5/5 (30.7K reviews)

Comparing top North Carolina sports betting sites

	FanDuel Sportsbook	bet365 Sportsbook	DraftKings Sportsbook	BetMGM Sportsbook	Fanatics Sportsbook	Caesars Sportsbook
Compare	Pin	Pin	Pin	Pin	Pin	Pin
Welcome bonus	Get up to $350 in Bonus Bets	Bet $10, Get $365 Win or Lose or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net	Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets	Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if First Bet Loses	Get up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash	Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens
Promo code	Automatically applied after registration	COVERS	Automatically applied after registration	COVERS	COVERS	GODYW
Payout speed	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours	Within 48 hours	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours
Odds provider	Flutter	bet365	SBTech	BetMGM	Amelco	Caesars
Top feature	User experience	Live streaming	Grading winners	Overall experience	Merch rewards	Rewards program
Live streaming?	Yes ✅	Yes ✅	Yes ✅	Yes ✅	Yes ✅	Yes ✅
Covers BetSmart Rating	⭐ 4.8/5	⭐ 4.7/5	⭐ 4.5/5	⭐ 4.9/5	⭐ 4.6/5	⭐ 4.6/5
Claim Bonus	Claim $1,000	Claim $150	Claim $200	Claim $1,500	Claim $1,000	Claim Now

Best North Carolina sports betting offers and bonuses

Covers Expert Analysis

"I strongly suggest thoroughly reading the terms and conditions attached to any of the North Carolina sports betting site welcome offers listed below before claiming and to only claim ones you believe that you can maximize."

Joshua Howe, Content Manager

Here are the top North Carolina sports betting promos available:

BetMGM - Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if First Bet Loses: New BetMGM North Carolina users can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager falls flat. Simply create a new sportsbook account using BetMGM bonus code COVERS, make a $10 deposit, and place an unsuccessful initial real money wager to receive the qualifying stake back in bonus bets. Bonus bets expire after seven days. The offer expires on Nov. 1, 2026.

bet365 - $1,000 First Bet Safety Net or Bet $10, Get $365 Win or Lose: Register using bet365 bonus code COVERS and choose between a 'bet $10, get $365' and a '$1,000 First Bet Safety Net' promo. Both promos must be claimed via the bet365 Sportsbook app and are available until Sep. 22, 2026 at 6:59 a.m. ET. 

Fanatics Sportsbook - Get up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash: Use the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code COVERS during registration to claim its latest welcome offer. You can get up to $1,000 Bet Matches in FanCash. Both offers require you to place a daily $1 wager on a market with -500 odds or longer. 

FanDuel - Get up to $350 in Bonus Bets: Sign up with FanDuel to get up to $350 in bonus bets. Just wager $5 for seven consecutive days to unlock a $50 daily bonus bet. No FanDuel promo code is required, but the offer expires on Sep. 20, 2026.

Caesars Sportsbook - Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens: Enter our exclusive Caesars Sportsbook promo code GODYW while registering a new account, make a minimum deposit of $10, and place your first real money wager of $1 within 30 days. Caesars will issue you 10 100% profit boosts. Each boost has a maximum bet of $25 and has a total value of $2,500. New users have 14 days after receiving the bonus, which expires on Mar. 2, 2027.

DraftKings - Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets: New DraftKings NC users won't need a DraftKings promo code to claim $200 in bonus bets if your wager wins or loses. If you make a minimum deposit of $5 and wager $5, you will receive two $25 bonus bets every seven days for 21 days instantly. The bonus bets expire after seven days, and this offer is valid until Sep. 20, 2026. 

theScore Bet - $1,000 Bet Reset: Use theScore Bet code COVERS to qualify. Make a $10 deposit and place a qualifying initial wager of up to $1,000. If your bet loses, you'll get a bonus equal to your losing wager. For wagers over $50, you'll get five (5) bonus bets in equal denominations of the qualifying losing wager. Wagers of $49 or less will get one bonus bet. This theScore Bet promo code offer is available to claim until Oct. 1, 2026. 

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Comparing North Carolina sportsbook apps

How we evaluate and rate NC betting apps

With eight sports betting apps now live in the Tar Heel State, choosing the ones right for you can be challenging. That's why we've outlined a few key features you should look for when selecting the best North Carolina sports betting apps:

Welcome bonuses and promotions

Sportsbooks use lucrative welcome bonuses to entice new North Carolina sports bettors to join their platforms. Only accept NC sportsbook welcome offers that are easy to claim, possess reasonable terms and conditions, and have minimal wagering requirements or odds restrictions. 

User experience

Prioritize online sports betting apps with an intuitive design, as the ability to effortlessly navigate throughout to find key features is paramount to cultivating an exceptional user experience with an online sportsbook.  

Variety of bet types

The number of available betting markets is one of the first things we look for when researching an online sports betting app. Not only do the best North Carolina sports betting apps offer moneylines, Over/Unders, and point spreads for the NFL, NHL, and NBA, but also for less popular markets, like UFC and tennis.

Banking options

When depositing and withdrawing with the best North Carolina sports betting apps, you want to be able to use popular banking methods such as Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, bank transfers, or e-wallets. Look for minimum banking limits, which vary depending on your chosen vendor.

Payout speed

Picture this: The Carolina Hurricanes are hoisting the Stanley Cup after capturing the franchise's second championship title, and you've got a winning futures bet ready to cash out. The best sports betting apps in North Carolina process withdrawals for free and within one to three banking days.

Security 

Protecting your personal and financial information is of the utmost importance when mobile betting. Before registering, ensure your North Carolina sports betting app uses reliable encryption software. 

Customer support

The best sports betting apps in North Carolina offer numerous ways to contact their customer support teams, ensuring your inquiries are promptly addressed. Look for mobile sportsbooks with 24/7 live chat, phone support, email, an extensive FAQ section on its website, and active social media accounts.

The pros and cons of North Carolina sports betting

North Carolina's March 11, 2024, online sports betting launch ensured that the best March Madness betting promos were relevant and available online just in time for this past tournament. New NC bettors can now claim exclusive new-user bonuses from the top betting sites in the Tar Heel State.

North Carolina online sports betting is now live

Retail betting is available at three tribal casinos

College sports betting permitted

Late to legalize online wagering

In-person betting limited to three locations

18% tax on sports betting revenue exceeds constitutional limit

List of all legal sportsbooks in North Carolina

NC sports bettors can now place legal bets online with the following NC sportsbooks:

Online North Carolina sports betting sites

Land-based North Carolina sportsbooks

With the addition of Catawba Two Kings Sportsbook, there are now three locations for retail sports betting in NC. The IGT-powered sportsbook joins Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy as regulated sports betting locations in the Tar Heel State. Keep tabs on each location below:

Latest North Carolina betting news

Why sign up for multiple NC sports betting sites?

We suggest that all North Carolina bettors sign up for multiple sports betting sites instead of just sticking with one. We've outlined the benefits of this betting strategy below:

Can compare betting odds across various sports betting sites so that you can always get the best value on your wager.

Secure numerous welcome bonuses.

Ensure you have access to the top sportsbook features in the industry, such as live betting, streaming, early cashouts, pre-built same-game parlays, ongoing promos, secure banking, reliable customer service, etc.

 Access comprehensive betting markets for local and overseas markets. 

The ability to enroll in multiple sportsbook loyalty programs, allowing you to earn great rewards like bonus bets, personalized service, free trips, discounted hotel stays, and more in 2026.

Who can bet on sports in North Carolina?

North Carolina residents and visitors who are 21 or older are eligible to bet on sports online or in person. Those who prefer to place physical wagers can go to one of two Harrah’s brick-and-mortar casinos or visit the temporary Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.

Review these tips before placing your first sports bet in North Carolina.

Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2026

Nearby neighborly online sports betting options include Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. All three states offer fully regulated and legalized online sportsbooks.

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 best betting apps and begin betting.

How to start betting in North Carolina

Read below to learn how to sign up and claim North Carolina welcome offers in minutes:

1

Select a sportsbook

• With legal online betting open, North Carolina bettors have multiple online sportsbooks they can register with today.
• Consider sign-up bonuses, odds pricing, supported banking methods, and the look and feel of each sports betting platform before getting started.

2

Register online

• After choosing your sportsbook(s), you’ll have to create an account in North Carolina.
• Enter your name, email, and address, and follow the prompts provided by the online platform.
• Once you’ve confirmed your identity and location, your account will be active.

3

Claim a bonus

• NC sports betting sites are vying for your attention by offering the most common sportsbook sign-up bonuses, including second chance bets, bet and gets, and deposit match bonuses.
• Be sure to enter a sportsbook promo code, if necessary.

4

Deposit funds

• Online betting sites support a wide variety of sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, online banking, and more. 
• Bettors should understand each payment method fully and look for potential fees charged by banks or financial institutions.

5

Start betting

• Bettors will find a wide range of sports bet types, including moneylines, point spreads, Over/Unders (totals), same-game parlays, futures, teasers, and live betting.
• Once you’ve identified the best price for your bet(s), fill up your bet slip and confirm your wager(s).

6

Withdraw winnings

• With licensed and regulated NC sportsbooks, accessing your sports bet winnings is painless.
• Expect to wait a few days to see your funds arrive in your bank account or e-wallet, though some withdrawal methods offer almost instant access to your bankroll.

What you can't bet on in North Carolina

North Carolinians can wager online with eight North Carolina betting sites or at one of three tribal properties. All professional, college, and Olympic sports are feasible options.

NFL Draft

North Carolinians were legally able to bet on the NFL Draft. Still, there were a few stipulations, such as round-specific wagers must be placed before the round begins, and pick-specific wagers had to be placed before the previous two selections are announced. Check out our guide for how to bet on the NFL Draft in 2026. 

Politics

It is not legal to wager on politics with North Carolina sportsbooks. Political bets are off the table in all states with legal sports betting.

Entertainment award ceremonies

Betting on awards shows, including the Oscars, is not permitted in NC. 

Can you bet on the Olympics in North Carolina?

Yes, Summer and Winter Olympics betting is legal in North Carolina. Follow our guide for how to bet on the Summer Olympics. 

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. House Bill 347 allows for online college sports betting, meaning you can use the best March Madness betting sites to get the top March Madness odds for the hometown North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils during the upcoming tournament. 

What about esports?

esports betting sites are permitted in North Carolina.

North Carolina sports betting handle

North Carolina is one of the newest U.S. states to legalize online sports betting, and the returns have been promising so far, generating $659 million in wagers in what wasn't even a full month of legalized betting in March 2024. The yearly total eclipsed $5.42 billion in 2024. Then in January 2025, North Carolina saw a record $811.6 million handle. Keep up with the North Carolina revenue tracker for handle information below.  

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

North Carolina sports teams to bet on

North Carolina offers all of the most popular sports to bet on, including competitive betting lines for all major North American sports leagues, including:

 NFL

 MLB 

 NBA

 NHL

UFC

There are also betting opportunities on college basketball, college football, and esports as well. You'll also find NC sportsbooks amongst the best F1 betting sites, and best boxing sites 2026.

North Carolina NFL bettors will be happy to see its operators land on our lists of the best football betting apps, NFL prop bets, and the top Super Bowl betting sites.

Most popular NC teams to bet on

North Carolinians have a storied history of supporting each of their hometown professional sports teams playing in the three major North American leagues — Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Hurricanes. Even though locals ride and die with these teams, the true crown jewels of the North Carolina sports landscape are its collegiate programs, as the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils have battled on the court for decades. Whether you support Michael Jordan's alma mater or cheer on the school that Mike 'Coach K' Krzyzewski built, allegiances to these schools run deep in North Carolina. 

No matter who you are betting on, we strongly suggest eliminating any biases before betting, which should benefit your bankroll. Our how to bet guides provide actionable insights for new and intermediate bettors.

NCAAB

Duke Blue Devils

North Carolina Tar Heels

Get live NCAAB odds

NHL

Carolina Hurricanes

Get live NHL odds

NBA

Charlotte Hornets

Get live NBA odds

NFL

Carolina Panthers

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Atlanta Braves

Get live MLB odds

Betting insight into local North Carolina sports teams

Due to the summer slowdown in the sports calendar, the only team nearby North Carolina in action are the Atlanta Braves. Matt Olson and the rest of the Braves are having a strong 2026 campaign, sitting in first place in the National League East after the All-Star break — the Atlanta Braves' odds to win the World Series currently stand at +1200. 

North Carolina's future bettors have a few options this offseason, as the Panthers, Hornets, and Hurricanes are all aligned to have interesting seasons in 2026/27. 

The Carolina Hurricanes finally got over the hump to claim their second Stanley Cup victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Hurricanes are the co-favorites to win yet again with +650 odds alongside the Florida Panthers. 

The Carolina Panthers are looking to build on their NFC South division crown to take another step into perennial postseason performer. Another year of experience for fourth-year quarterback Bryce Young and playing in the NFC South are all reasons for optimism next season, where the Carolina Panthers have +310 odds to win their division, and +9000 odds to win the Super Bowl.  

Lastly, the Charlotte Hornets are looking for a bounce-back, too, as the NBA franchise has struggled to escape the lottery for the past several years and lost in the play-in tournament this year. Charlotte has +10000 odds to win the NBA Finals. 

Best North Carolina sportsbook for markets

BetMGM is our top choice for online sports betting in North Carolina, offering a diverse and extensive range of markets. Known as the 'King of Sportsbooks,' BetMGM provides 27 different sports categories, including international leagues in soccer, hockey, baseball, and basketball. You can also find markets for special events like the Olympics and World Cup.

We've detailed all the betting markets available at BetMGM in 2026 here: 

Best North Carolina sportsbook for rewards

Caesars North Carolina has the best sportsbook rewards in 2026, awarding Caesars Rewards Reward Credits and Tier Credits to regular sportsbook users. You can exchange Reward Credits for bonus bets, dining, hotel stays, and more. Your Tier Status, determined by the number of Tier Credits you accumulate, grants you exclusive benefits like free hotel stays, room upgrades, air credits to Las Vegas, and other perks.

For every $100 wagered on straight bets, bettors earn a minimum of 10 Reward Credits and 10 Tier Credits through the Caesars Rewards program. 100 Reward Credits are equivalent to $1 in sportsbook bonus cash.

Best North Carolina sportsbook for experienced bettors

We suggest that seasoned sports bettors in North Carolina explore FanDuel, as this online sportsbook is tailored for high-rollers and frequent bettors.

To start, FanDuel North Carolina offers a strong lineup of ongoing bonuses, including daily bet boosts, retention deposit offers, one of the top referral bonuses in the industry, and rewards through the FanDuel Players Club, all designed to enhance your bankroll. In our view, FanDuel boasts the best user experience in the industry from years of fine-tuning. North Carolinians can easily navigate the platform to access promotions, a variety of betting markets, an intuitive 'Live Now' section, and excellent customer support for any issues. Additionally, FanDuel boasts one of the top mobile sports betting apps in the state, delivering the same outstanding features found on the desktop version.

For those who enjoy regular sports betting in North Carolina, we believe FanDuel is the best online sportsbook to consider in 2026.

Most anticipated North Carolina sportsbook

We would love to see Hard Rock Bet enter the North Carolina sports betting landscape. The established operator — currently only in seven states — is aggressively expanding in the U.S. with a very competitive offering.

Customers can expect unique promotions, lucrative loyalty rewards, and an entertaining user experience. Stay tuned as we relay all the news of the latest additions to the NC online sportsbook roster.

How NC sports betting compares to other states

North Carolina is bordered by four states — Virginia to the north, South Carolina to the south, Georgia to the southwest, and Tennessee to the west. Virginia and Tennessee currently have legal sports betting, Georgia is slowly working towards it, while South Carolina is unlikely to offer online wagering any time soon.

North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee share many sports betting similarities, including a legal age of 21, mobile betting, remote registration, availability of retail sportsbooks, and the necessity to wager within state borders. All three states are large sports betting markets, falling in the top 15 in terms of population (NC at #8, VA at #12, and TN at #15). 

Where they begin to differ is in the tax rate on winnings, with Tennessee withholding the largest amount at 25% of all winnings. North Carolina winnings are subject to a 6% tax, as gambling can only occur at tribal casinos.

Sportsbook offers are generally uniform across NC, VA, and TN, though the number of operators varies (eight, 14, and 11, respectively.) None of the states offer wagering on politics or awards shows, while Virginia is the only state that does not allow betting on the NFL Draft. 

North Carolina sports betting market outlook

The future outlook for North Carolina's sports betting industry appears quite positive, as the Tar Heel State has performed well during its first few years since establishing a legal online market. 

North Carolina, with a population of roughly 11 million people, generated a $5.42 billion handle from sports betting in 2024, resulting in over $580 million in revenue for the state. Given that the inaugural year only accounted for not even 10 full months of data, we believe that North Carolina is on its way to becoming one of the United States' most valuable sports betting markets in the future. 

While business is good for the state, the eight available operators might not be able to say the same for much longer after the North Carolina Senate approved a new budget plan, outlined in SB 257, to double the sports betting tax. North Carolina sports betting sites' monthly tax rate will increase from 18% to 36% starting October 1, 2025.

While increasing tax rates is not exclusive to North Carolina, we strongly believe it could play a factor in attracting new online sportsbooks, as some operators may view the new bill's high fees as a deterrent to set up shop in the state. 

Upcoming NC sports betting proposals to watch

Since it is still a relatively new market, we expect that North Carolina's sports betting industry could change in various ways in the future. For example, the Tar Heel State opened with only eight available online sports betting licenses, which is still the case today. We predict that North Carolina could open its digital doors to additional top operators in the future, such as Hard Rock Bet or BetRivers, if the opportunity became available. 

Additionally, the same could happen to its retail betting market, which only has three locations in 2026. Two Kings, as a North Carolina casino resort, is getting closer to opening its first phase, which would likely usher in a potential fourth location when the retail casino opens in 2027.

One change that has come into effect is that a large section of local lawmakers want to increase North Carolina's tax rate for sports betting operators. The Senate released its budget earlier this year, which outlines doubling the rate from 18% to 36%. But the North Carolina House of Representatives disagrees with the proposal, leaving the two sides to come to an agreement in the coming months.  

Other legal betting options

North Carolina is not one of the more gambling-friendly states. Beyond the few tribal casinos, the only other options for legal gaming are sweepstakes casinos, the state lottery, charitable gaming, and bingo.

Responsible gaming in North Carolina

Should I use an offshore sportsbook?

We strongly recommend using a regulated sports betting site if you reside in North Carolina. That said, using an offshore sportsbook offers several advantages, including a wider selection of betting markets, competitive odds, and generous bonuses. These platforms often provide greater accessibility, accepting players from regions with restricted betting laws and offering a variety of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, which can enhance privacy and transaction speed.

However, there are significant drawbacks to consider. Offshore sportsbooks operate outside local regulations, posing legal risks and offering limited recourse in disputes. They may also lack security and trustworthiness, with the potential for scams, non-payment, and unreliable customer service. Additionally, financial protections are minimal, and using these platforms could disrupt tax compliance and lead to issues with financial institutions. 

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

Each state became able to legalize and regulate sports betting following the strikedown of PASPA in 2018. These U.S. jurisdictions have joined North Carolina in legalizing online betting, retail wagering, or both:

Recent legal U.S. sports betting launches

North Carolina was the second state to introduce legal online sports betting in 2024. Here's a look back at recent online betting launches in the U.S.:

Dec. 1, 2025: Legal Missouri sports betting launched on this day, allowing Show-Me State bettors to claim Missouri sports betting promos from a bunch of the country's top sportsbooks.

March 11, 2024: North Carolina sports betting sites go live in the Tar Heel State — just in time for March Madness.

Jan. 11, 2024: Legal Vermont sports betting arrives as three sportsbooks — FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook — begin accepting online wagers. 

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

Below, we track the other states moving toward legal sports betting that may potentially be getting close to generating their own markets:

Sportsbooks to avoid in North Carolina

See all blacklisted sportsbooks

While it may be tempting to seek out additional offshore options in North Carolina, we advise you not to risk your money and waste your time with unregulated sportsbooks that operate illegally. Save your bankroll for legal North Carolina sports betting sites.

• Allegations of withdrawal issues
• No license information available on site
• Poor customer service

• Multiple reports of slow payments
• Allegations of non-payments
• Risk of account closure simply for winning bets

• Reports of confiscated winnings
• Slow customer support response times

See all blacklisted sportsbooks