North Carolina may have been a little late to the nationwide sports betting party, but, boy, did it ever break from the gates swiftly.
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North Carolina may have been a little late to the nationwide sports betting party, but, boy, did it pick the right time to join.
Launching mobile wagering a day before the ACC men's basketball tournament and six days before Selection Sunday, the Tar Heel State clocked $659 in sports betting handle in that inaugural month of March 2024 -- a monthly record that still stood a year later and is sure to be shattered in March 2025.
Yet while North Carolina may still be a college basketball state, its bettors have shown a fondness for football as well, wagering upwards of $575 million during pigskin season.
Current Sportsbooks
8Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort: 777 Casino Dr., Cherokee, NC 28719
Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel: 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
July 26, 2019
The state legislature and governor agree to legalize in-person sports betting at tribal casinos in North Carolina.
March 18, 2021
Two tribal casinos in North Carolina, Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, begin taking retail sports bets.
June 14, 2023
Governor Roy Cooper signs legislation that allows online sportsbook platforms to partner with pro sports franchises and venues to begin offering mobile wagering.
March 11, 2024
Online wagering launches one day before the ACC men's basketball tournament and six days before the NCAA tournament's Selection Sunday.
March, 2024
North Carolina sportsbooks accepted $659.3 million in sports bets during the state's first month of online wagering, a record that still stood nearly a year later.
Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina. Tribal casinos have been accepting in-person wagers since March 2021, and online wagering through commercial sites launched three years later.
Persons of at least 21 years of age can place wagers in North Carolina provided they are physically present in the state.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission regulates commercial gaming in the state.
The state lottery has approved one of the most comprehensive lists of sporting events for wagering, including: Australian Rules Football, badminton, baseball, basketball, biathlon, bowling, boxing, cornhole, cricket, cycling, darts, Ultimate Frisbee, esports, field hockey, floorball, football, futsal, Gaelic Games, golf, handball, ice hockey, jai alai, lacrosse, MMA/UFC, motorsports, netball, Olympics (Winter and Summer), pesapallo, pool, mini-golf, rodeo, rowing, rugby, sailing, skateboarding, snooker, beach soccer, softball, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball, water polo, wrestling, and winter sports.
Wagers on negative outcomes, like the occurrence of injuries or penalties, are not allowed in North Carolina. Same goes for betting on the outcomes of replay reviews and disciplinary proceedings involving athletes. There's also no betting on entertainment award shows in North Carolina.
While daily fantasy sports exist in a gray legal area in North Carolina, some prominent operators still offer contests in the state. One major DFS operator, Underdog, picked North Carolina as the first state in which to launch its sportsbook product.
While it's legal to bet on horse racing in North Carolina, both in-person at tribal casinos and online via licensed advance-deposit wagering platforms, it was not yet possible to do so as of February 2025. That's because North Carolina "continues to work on a parimutuel horse wagering program that will be beneficial to the state," according to a spokesperson. When that day comes, ADWs like FanDuel Racing can be expected to quickly enter the fray.
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Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. 21+ NC Only.