North Carolina Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
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North Carolina Gambling Highlights
Want to gamble in North Carolina? The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in the state. From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18-21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Offshore only
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Online Gambling in North Carolina
Everything You Need to Start Playing at North Carolina Online Casinos
Is Online Gambling Legal in North Carolina?
Key Takeaways
- Online sports betting is now legal in NC.
- Sportsbooks are scheduled to launch in 2024.
- State residents use offshore sites to gamble.
- The state lottery also has online play.
Legal online gambling in North Carolina is beginning to take hold.
An internet sports betting bill was signed into law in 2023, and major sports wagering apps were expected to launch in early 2024.
When the sites go up, bettors from the state will be able to go online to wager on odds and point spreads for major sports events.
Futures and in-game betting will also be available. Until the local sportsbooks go online, state residents use online offshore sportsbooks to bet on games, matches, and player performances.
Legislators have shelved a proposal to bring online casinos to the state, so residents still turn to offshore sites for online casino play.
Technically, online casino gambling is considered illegal in the state. However, the law does not explicitly address internet gambling, and NC residents use offshore sites every day without fear of prosecution.
The offshore sites are licensed in foreign countries, and the best online casinos are safe. A few games in the state lottery are the only other forms of internet wagering in North Carolina.
Best North Carolina Online Casinos in 2023
Explore these top real money online casinos we have tested and recommend for North Carolina residents. We chose them based on many elements of trustworthiness and enjoyment.
| RANK | ONLINE CASINO | BONUS | # OF GAMES | MIN DEPOSIT | START |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DuckyLuck Casino | BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | # OF GAMES 568 | MIN DEPOSIT $25 | Play Now |
| 2 |  Red Dog Casino | BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus | # OF GAMES 836 | MIN DEPOSIT $10 | Play Now |
| 3 |  Bovada Casino | BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | # OF GAMES 236 | MIN DEPOSIT $10 | Play Now |
| 4 |  Wild Casino | BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | # OF GAMES 536 | MIN DEPOSIT $20 | Play Now |
| 5 |  Ignition Casino | BONUS 150% up to $1,500 | # OF GAMES 267 | MIN DEPOSIT $10 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: December, 2023
Top NC Online Casinos: Main Features
We know North Carolinians love casino games for the excitement and good returns.
Here are some of the best online casinos NC folks can depend on for their lineups of fun games that pay well.
The Best North Carolina Online Casino for Slots
Duckyluck Casino is a top destination with plenty of fun activities, including a great collection of over 400 real money slots.
You will find all types of slots with various themes, high-paying features, and progressive jackpots.
Be assured of fair payouts because the slots are provided by top gamemakers such as Dragon Gaming or Betsoft.
✅ Top software providers mean fair payouts.
✅ Slots have a variety of features and include progressives.
✅ DuckyLuck has multiple versions of table games.
Top Features
- Duckyluck has a dozen video poker options.
- Excellent bonuses for new and recurring players.
- 95 – 98% Average RTP.
- Reliable payouts & banking methods.
Top North Carolina Gambling Site for Sports Betting
Splash around in Bovada‘s Pond, which has tons of casino games and also offers sports betting options for North Carolinians.
If you want to get a trustworthy sportsbook that pays its players and accepts NC bettors, Bovada is definitely a great pick.
You can bet on sports like boxing, soccer, MMA, or even esports. Simply log in, and you will find an agile platform that allows you to place your bets easily.
✅ Bovada has been over 20 years in the online gambling industry and has a solid reputation among gamblers.
✅ They offer sports betting options and a wide variety of online casino games.
✅ The site gives live betting options and tools like props builder.
Top Features
- High-quality customer support.
- Reliable and user-friendly software.
- Quick payout process.
- Excellent Bonuses with low rollover.
How we Choose the Best Online Casinos in North Carolina
We don’t just pick casinos randomly out of thin air …. or cyberspace. We consider several factors for the top online casinos in North Carolina. Here are some:
Online Casino Reputation
The online casinos we suggest are sites gamblers know. We check player forums and industry sources to determine a casino’s track record.Fast & Reliable Payments
We seek out online casinos with a variety of deposit methods that respond quickly and reliably for both incoming and outgoing transactions.Site Security & Safety
Online casinos that employ at least 128-bit secure socket layering meet our standards for keeping your information and money safe.Games Variety & Quality
We recommend real money casinos that keep all types of games, from slots to table games and video poker. We also like online casinos that carry live dealer games.Quality Bonuses
Our top sites carry casino bonuses that are both lucrative and fair.
Comparing Real Money Online Casinos for North Carolinians
Look at our chart that compares the two online casinos we’ve suggested and others you may like.
| ONLINE CASINO | TOP BONUS | Payout Speed | License | Casino Games | # OF SLOTS | RATING | START |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play At DuckyLuck Casino | TOP BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | Payout Speed 1-5 Days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 568 | # OF SLOTS 488 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
| Play At Red Dog | TOP BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus | Payout Speed 1-3 Days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 836 | # OF SLOTS 687 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
| Play At Bovada | TOP BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | Payout Speed 1-3 Days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 236 | # OF SLOTS 172 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
| Play At Wild Casino | TOP BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | Payout Speed 1-7 days | License Panama | Casino Games 536 | # OF SLOTS 409 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
| Play At Ignition Casino | TOP BONUS 150% up to $1,500 | Payout Speed 2-3 Days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 267 | # OF SLOTS 170 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
 Play At SlotsandCasino | TOP BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | Payout Speed 1-2 Days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 618 | # OF SLOTS 538 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
 Play At Sloto Cash Casino | TOP BONUS 200% up to $7,777 | Payout Speed 2-3 days | License Curaçao | Casino Games 201 | # OF SLOTS 166 | RATING | PLAY NOW |
*Last Updated: December, 2023
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Top Online Casino Games for Real Money in North Carolina
Choose the right online casino; you will find all types of games perfect for North Carolina players.
Here, we describe the most popular titles you will see and how they play.
Online Slots
The biggest category of games people in North Carolina will find is slots.
They are all a few clicks away, arranged for easy access, usually by popularity, and with search engines to find your favorite games. That’s something you won’t find at the state’s land-based casinos.
You will find real money slots with 3- and 5-reel setups, various payline numbers, and all sorts of themes.
The high-return features you’ll run into come in free spins, cascading reels, and all kinds of wilds. They are often innovative displays with various bonus rounds adding excitement.
Also, online slots have a wider variety of cost limits per spin than at land-based casinos. You will see plenty of penny slots, but there are higher limits for slots players looking for top payouts.
Online casinos also carry at least five or ten progressives, with jackpots reaching $1 million or more.
Online Poker
There is only one legal land-based poker room in North Carolina. But plenty of online poker sites have as many types of poker games as you will find on that long trip to Cherokee.
Of course, Texas Hold ’em is the most popular game, and you can find no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit versions online. A table is also open for Omaha and Hi-Lo; some sites even carry seven-card studs.
One of the advantages of playing online poker is the variety of stakes. You can warm up to the game with $.02/$.04 blinds before the tougher competition at $5/$10 games or higher.
Additionally, playing poker online can offer plenty of tournaments. Most online poker sites host weekly contests, and many rooms will have multiple daily tourneys going almost all day.
There are high-stakes events with buy-ins, but there are also freeroll tournaments.
Online Blackjack
Gamblers love real money blackjack for its ease of play and solid returns. You can get both right at home if you play it online.
The top online casinos we recommend use games with random number generators and have blackjack tables with return to player (RTP) percentages as high as you will find at the land-based casinos in the Tar Heel State.
You know you’ll get a fair deal, so all you need to do is keep your blackjack chart handy.
If you like to vary from the standard blackjack game, another advantage of playing online is the variety of blackjack versions at top internet casino sites.
Look for versions that offer side bets that pay big when you are dealt special cards, such as matching suits or 7s.
Wonder exactly how the games work? Most top online casinos offer free money or demo games. Also, most sites emphasize blackjack in their live dealer sections. That means a live setting, friendly dealers, and other players to interact with.
Live Dealer Games
The best online casinos can also put you into a setting like Harrah’s Cherokee. But you don’t have to leave the house.
Live dealer sections at casinos bring a table to you through the magic of streaming. Click on a live table, and an easy-to-use display comes up with a real dealer and other players to chat with.
Look for blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other table favorites on the live dealer floor. Some sites even carry big wheel games like Wheel of Fortune.
The stakes are larger than on the digital side, so bring your bankroll and remember to tip the dealer.
Other Online Casino Games for North Carolina
Top casino sites offer more than typical casino games. Here are some games that demonstrate the variety you can find:
Top North Carolina Casino Bonuses Online
Bonuses are big in Internet casinos, particularly if you like slots. You get bonus money with your deposit and must play through a required wagering amount to withdraw winnings.
Bonuses like these are among the reasons we recommend online casinos:
Up to $8,000 Welcome Bonus
You can receive as much as $8,000 in extra money when you enter the Red Dog pound and take full advantage of the welcome bonus.
It’s a tiered match of your first three deposits and comes with a 40x deposit playthrough plus the bonus amount.
Red Dog fetches the deal when you activate it with the PATIO bonus code.
500% Up to $7,500 Welcome Bonus
DuckyLuck feathers your nest with a 500% match on each of three deposits of up to $2,500 each when you join the flock.
That adds up to $7,500 in free money. And DuckyLuck tosses in 50 free spins on each of three days with great slots they choose for you.
The DuckyLuck deal has a modest 30X rollover requirement on the deposit and bonus.
North Carolina Casino Apps
North Carolina may offer apps if online casinos are set up in the state. But for now, you don’t need an app to easily access offshore casinos and games with your iPhone, Android smartphone, or e-tablet.
Just use your device’s internet browser to call up the site and play any game. If you are unsure how games play on your smartphone, try a mobile casino to play for free.
Facts About Online Casinos for North Carolina Players
Here are some facts about NC online casinos that you need to consider before playing.
- North Carolina residents have access to online casinos based offshore.
- Though regulated by foreign entities, most offshore casino sites accept players from the US.
- There is a broader variety of games with lower bet amounts at online casinos compared to the land-based casinos in North Carolina.
- A legislative proposal to base online casinos in North Carolina was shelved in 2023.
North Carolina Gambling Laws Summary
Many gambling activities are illegal in North Carolina.
Three tribal casinos have taken up some slack with Vegas-type facilities, sportsbooks, and a poker room under federal regulation.
The state also has a lottery, limited-stakes bingo, and other charitable games in the law books. Online sportsbooks and racebooks were made legal in 2023, and in-state online casinos have been proposed.
Until the actual in-state launch, NC residents do their online gambling at offshore sites.
| North Carolina Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos in North Carolina | The state is home to three casinos, all owned and operated by Native American tribes. They offer slots and table games. |
| Online Gambling | North Carolinians have access to offshore internet casinos and sportsbooks |
| Online Sports Betting and Land-Based | Online sports betting has been legalized, and sites are expected to launch in 2024. The state’s three land based casinos host sportsbooks. |
| State Lottery | North Carolina has a state-sponsored lottery with numbers games and instant win games. It coordinates with nationwide drawings. |
| Charitable Gambling | Qualified charities are allowed to run bingo games and raffles. |
| Poker | The state hosts one legal poker room at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. Poker is otherwise illegal. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | There are no pari-mutuel betting horse or dog tracks in the state. Online racebooks are legal, and racebooks are at the state’s three casinos. |
| Fantasy Sports | Daily fantasy sports contests are not addressed in NC law, and fantasy sites are available to residents. |
| Social Gambling | Betting on any game is considered illegal, which includes even the smallest stakes games. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Gambling winnings are taxable in North Carolina. |
North Carolina Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
Folks in the Tar Heel State have always gambled. Generally, the law hasn’t played along until the last few decades when the federal government allowed casinos on tribal land.
Below is a closer look at how the law approaches different types of gambling in North Carolina.
Land-Based Casinos
North Carolina is home to three land-based casinos, all owned and operated by Native American tribes.
Under provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the tribes enter and renew compacts with the state’s governor to determine the types of games they offer. Otherwise, the tribal casinos are federally regulated.
Two of the casinos are resort casinos offering slots and live table games. A third casino offers slots and electronic table games.
All three of the operations host sportsbooks. Legislators have proposed authorization of four more land-based casinos in the eastern part of the state, but the plan did not get budget approval in 2023.
Horse & Dog Tracks
While the state’s three tribal casinos offer horse race betting as part of their sportsbooks, North Carolina has no pari-mutuel horse tracks.
In 2021, legislators offered a proposal to establish a state racing commission to “determine the appropriate location and number of tracks,” but the plan never got out of committee.
The state’s new online sports betting law includes internet racebooks.
North Carolina has several famous thoroughbred steeplechase races, but none allow legal betting. Greyhound racetracks were ruled illegal in the 1950s.
Bingo, Lottery and Charitable Gambling
Bingo has been popular in the Tar Heel State for decades, first sponsored by charitable groups and later high-stakes games hosted by the Cherokee Tribe.
More than 150 charitable bingo halls are located throughout North Carolina.
Licensed by the state, these operations can hold up to two sessions per week and offer prizes no higher than $500.
Cherokee Tribal Bingo, the last high-stakes bingo operation, closed in 2021 during the COVID pandemic and had no plans of reopening as of 2023.
Nonprofits can also hold up to four raffles per year, offering cash prizes of no more than $125,000 or merchandise worth up to $250,000. Land and buildings valued at up to $500,000 may also be raffled yearly.
North Carolina has sponsored a lottery since 2006, and its proceeds have raised nearly $10 billion for public education.
The games include typical numbers tickets, scratch cards, keno, and other instant-win games. The NC Lottery is part of the nationwide Powerball and Mega Millions pool.
Social Gaming at Home
North Carolina law does not specifically address small-stakes games at home. So, the provision stating that it is illegal to “play or bet on any game of chance that involves winning money, property or anything of value” presumably applies.
The legal exceptions are drawn out in the gambling statute, but a home game like poker or checkers for any amount is not one of them.
Like gambling online, small-stakes games occur, and violations are practically unenforceable.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
There is only one legal land-based poker room in the Tar Heel State – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, west of Asheville.
Professional players know this place because the casino hosts major events on the World Series of Poker tour.
The poker room has 32 tables and hosts cash games of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Hi-Lo Omaha, and 7-card stud.
Blinds start at $1, and you can find fixed-limit hold ’em games.
The house charges a percentage rake that depends on the pot size of the game. Harrah’s also hosts daily tournaments with buy-in fees that range from $80 to $250.
Online Sports Betting and Land-Based
North Carolina made online sports betting legal in 2023, and major sportsbooks were expected to launch as early as January 2024.
The state Lottery Commission will license and regulate the sportsbooks and betting kiosks in the state’s major professional sports stadiums, arenas, and golf courses that host pro tournaments.
Horse racing betting with online racebooks will also be allowed.
Video Gaming Machines
Since the 1990s, North Carolina courts and the General Assembly have been trying to deal with the legality of video gambling machines that pop up periodically at convenience stores, smoke shops, and parlors.
The legislature has limited or made them illegal with laws passed in 2000, 2007, and 2010. But game makers and machine owners have managed to circumvent the law by tweaking the machines and how payouts work.
In 2023, gambling machines were still located throughout the state, and a bill was proposed to regulate them.
Casinos in North Carolina
The Cherokee and Catawba tribes own and operate the three land-based casinos in the state. They all host slots, table games, and sportsbooks.
The Cherokee casinos are located in the North Carolina mountains west of Asheville. The Catawbas operate a casino near Charlotte.
Top North Carolina Casinos
- Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino Resort
- Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino
- Catawba Two Kings Casino
North Carolina Gambling Summary
- Total Casinos: 5
- Poker Rooms: 1
- Tribal Casinos: 3
North Carolina Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Here is how the North Carolina gambling landscape compares with its bordering neighbors.
| State | Is some form of Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Yes | 18 – 21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes | 18 | No | Offshore Only | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | 18 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | 18/21 | No | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | No | 18 | No | Offshore Only | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes |
North Carolina has adjusted its gambling laws primarily to compete with Virginia, which has attracted Tar Heel wagerers for years.
However, the locations of North Carolina’s three land-based casinos make them popular destinations for people in northern Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.
A Brief History of North Carolina Gambling
North Carolinians have gambled since the Colonial days, and the law has always scrambled to catch up.
In 1749, the General Assembly passed laws preventing excessive gambling debts. But most forms of gambling were illegal, except for occasional lotteries allowed to sponsor public projects.
Modern-day gambling began with the authorization of pari-mutuel race betting in 1939. Two dog tracks were open during the 1940s and ’50s before the state supreme court ruled them illegal.
In the mid-1940s, some counties approved bingo laws for charities and civic groups. The game spread to beach towns where it was largely unregulated.
The state passed bingo and raffle laws to control charitable gaming in the 1970s and ’80s.
The Cherokee Tribe opened a high-stakes bingo operation in 1982 after a federal court ruled that state laws limiting winnings didn’t apply on tribal lands.
Then, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed tribes to open other gambling operations through compacts with states.
The Cherokee have since opened two casinos west of Asheville, and the Catawba Tribe has a casino near Charlotte. A state law approved in 2019 allowed the tribal casinos to add sportsbooks.
The General Assembly barely approved a lottery measure in 2005 and sold the first tickets in 2006.
In 2023, the state took a significant step in internet wagering with a new law allowing commercial sportsbooks online and at major sports arenas. The sportsbooks were expected to be up in 2024.
North Carolina Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program offers prevention, treatment, and recovery services and promotes other problem gambling resources.
The NC Lottery website has a Play Smart section with a spending calculator and tips on responsible gambling.
In addition, the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling helps compulsive gamblers find help through counseling and training.
The Cherokee Tribe and their casinos are corporate sponsors of the program and display a Responsible Gambling message on their casino webpage.
Summary: North Carolina’s Gambling Journey
North Carolina law has traditionally been resistant to gambling. But in the last two decades, the state has introduced land-based casinos, sportsbooks, and a lottery and is now on the verge of launching online sports betting and horse track wagering.
Lawmakers are seeking to expand the number of land casinos from three to seven, and a proposal is in the works for building pari-mutuel horse tracks.
How all of this bodes for online casinos is hard to say. But if internet sports betting significantly impacts state coffers, a current proposal to legalize online casinos will get a serious look.
There are six states that now host online casinos, and another was set to launch in 2024. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tar Heel State follow suit within the decade.
Meanwhile, NC residents have access to top online casinos at offshore sites.
North Carolina Gambling FAQ
Common questions and answers about gambling in North Carolina may help you.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in North Carolina?
The federal government regulates tribal casinos. If proposed commercial casinos are approved, the state will control them.
Are there any gambling addiction support services available?
Gambling addiction support services are available through the North Carolina Problem Gambling Program and the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling.
Are there real money online casinos in North Carolina with no deposit bonuses?
Most real money online casinos require a deposit to get a bonus. But they sometimes promote games with no deposit free spins bonuses and other no deposit bonuses for special events.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside North Carolina?
Playing at online casinos regulated outside of North Carolina carries little risk. But you should research any online casino for trustworthiness before playing.
Who regulates online casinos in North Carolina?
The online casinos that North Carolinians can access are licensed in foreign jurisdictions that meet the requirements of conventional payment systems.
