North Carolina sports betting is set to launch in the first part of 2024. Retail sports betting has been an option for residents of the Tar Heel State since 2021, but the industry is set to grow exponentially with the launch of NC online sportsbooks.
Current North Carolina Sports Betting Updates
Want to learn more about NC sports betting? We’ve got you covered with all of the news and information you need to know.
Is Online Sports Betting Currently Legal in NC?
Not yet. North Carolina online sports betting is set to launch in early-2024. The industry was given the green light by the passage of HB 347, which was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper in June of 2023. This was the second NC sports betting bill that went through the legislative process. In 2022, SB 688 was passed by the Senate but did not get through the house.
Expected North Carolina Sports Betting Sites
NC sports betting law states that up to 12 licenses will be awarded to operators. That’s more than enough to attract some of the biggest online sportsbooks to North Carolina. Here’s a partial list of the NC sports betting apps we can expect:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Caesars
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- Fanatics Sportsbook
Where Can I Bet on Sports in North Carolina?
Currently, North Carolina sports betting is only legal at several casinos located around the state. Visit any of the casinos below to place bets prior to the launch of North Carolina online sportsbooks.
📍 Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719)
📍 Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River (777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906)
📍 Catawba Two Kings Casino (538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086)
North Carolina Sportsbooks and NC Betting Apps At A Glance
✅ Legal minimum age: 21
✅ Online NC sports betting launch date: TBD
✅ Remote registration: Yes.
✅ State borders: Yes, you must be within the state of North Carolina to use North Carolina sportsbook apps.
✅ Retail sportsbooks: The three retail casinos will still offer sportsbooks. North Carolina sports bettors who want an in-person experience can still get one.
✅ Taxable winnings: Yes, you’ll need to report winnings over the federal tax threshold as part of your taxes.
✅ Tax rate: NC online sports betting operators will be taxed at 18% of their monthly revenues. Per NC sports betting law, any month where an operator loses revenue can see an operator carry forward the negative amount for up to 12 months.
✅ NC sportsbooks available at launch: We’re not completely sure yet. However, if other state launches are any indication, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, Bet MGM, and other major online sportsbooks will quickly become part of the North Carolina sports betting landscape.
How to sign up to a North Carolina sports betting site
Once North Carolina sportsbooks go live, here’s how you’ll go through the process of creating an account.
- Select a NC sports betting app of your choice
- Register
- Claim your bonus
- Deposit funds
- Select your bet type
- Bet
- Withdraw your winnings
North Carolina bettors should know that one isn’t restricted to just one North Carolina betting app. Shopping around the North Carolina sports betting outlets often produces valuable insights, including different promotions and wagering offerings. Be sure to check out all the NC sports betting apps, once they go online, to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
How to fund a North Carolina sports betting account
Each North Carolina betting app will have multiple ways for you to deposit money. Those often include methods such as online banking, credit/debit cards, eCheck, Apple Pay, and PayPal. Make sure to check out each of the NC sports betting apps to find the deposit process that’s right for you.
North Carolina Sportsbooks and Betting Apps to Expect in 2024
BetMGM North Carolina
BetMGM Sportsbook’s user-friendly, functional app makes it a popular option for new and experienced sports bettors alike. North Carolina sports betting enthusiasts will also appreciate its wide array of promotions, including a $1,500 sign-up bonus for new customers.
Caesars North Carolina
Caesars is a familiar name in North Carolina, as it operates two of the three casinos in the Tar Heel State. This makes Caesars Sportsbook a logical fit once North Carolina online sportsbooks go live in early-2024. With its wide range of betting options, generous bonuses, and excellent customer service, Caesars is a great choice.
FanDuel North Carolina
FanDuel Sportsbook is a top-rated sportsbook that offers a great experience for bettors of all levels. It is known for its generous promos, excellent user experience, and wide variety of betting markets with competitive odds.
DraftKings North Carolina
DraftKings Sportsbook stands out for the variety it offers bettors. Not only does it meet the needs of those more comfortable with traditional bets, but the book also has daily fantasy offers and an expansive selection of player props covering all major sports.
Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina
Fanatics Sportsbook came to be in 2023 when the parent company acquired PointsBet. It has slowly relaunched under the Fanatics banner, complete with tie-ins to the merchandise and apparel side of the business. With plenty of money behind it, Fanatics Sportsbook may have what it takes to quickly challenge some of the market’s traditional heavyweights.
Bet365 North Carolina
Bet365 Sportsbook is one of the fastest-growing operators in the country. If other launches are any indication, they may not be available right when NC online sports betting goes live. However, expect them to be a viable North Carolina sports betting option sooner or later.
What can you bet on in North Carolina?
The North Carolina sports betting menu available across NC betting sites is going to be robust. You’ll be able to bet on professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Those offerings will likely include point spreads, totals, and player props.
In addition, North Carolina betting sites will feature the ability to wager on NCAA football and basketball games. This gives North Carolina sports betting a significant edge over its neighbor to the north. Virginia sports betting apps are prohibited from offering betting on in-state college teams. Don’t be surprised to see Virginians crossing the border and betting on their beloved Cavaliers or Hokies.
What you can’t bet on in NC
❌ Politics
❌ Award ceremonies
❌ eSports
❌ High school sports
Popular North Carolina sports betting options
North Carolina boasts some well-known professional and college sports teams. Fans in the state will have another way to support those squads when North Carolina online sportsbooks go live in 2024.
Here are some of the teams that figure to take significant local money from North Carolina bettors.
- NFL: Carolina Panthers
- NBA: Charlotte Hornets
- NHL: Carolina Hurricanes
- NCAA: Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tarheels, NC State Wolfpack, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Sign Up for Multiple NC Sports Betting Sites
As we mentioned earlier, you can sign up for accounts with multiple North Carolina sportsbooks. In fact, such behavior isn’t just allowed. It’s encouraged.
There are many reasons why you should sign up with more than one North Carolina sports betting operator. Here are three of them:
✅ Competitive odds
Different North Carolina sportsbooks will offer different odds and wagers. For instance, one team may be a seven-point favorite at one sportsbook and an eight-point favorite at another. Shopping around between different North Carolina betting sites gives you a chance to make the smartest bets possible.
✅ Claim multiple NC sports betting promos
When NC online sports betting goes live, North Carolina betting apps will launch full-court presses to acquire customers. Promotions will be extensive, which means an abundance of bonuses for North Carolina bettors. Creating multiple accounts means you’ll be able to take advantage of these promos right away.
✅ Pick a favorite
As the best North Carolina sportsbooks look to establish themselves in the online space, they’ll try different things and provide different user experiences. Some will undoubtedly go over better than others. Trying as many NC betting sites as possible means you’ll get to use all of them and find the right environment for you.
Sports to Bet On In North Carolina Sportsbooks
The list of North Carolina sports betting offerings is a long one. Unlike some states, there aren’t many restrictions on available sports. Professional sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and others, will be available with just a few clicks.
In addition, college sports betting will also be available on NC sports betting sites. This is a contrast to some states, which have either banned college betting altogether or limited wagering on in-state teams or events. However, if you want to bet on ACC football or basketball on North Carolina betting apps, you’ll be in luck once those launch.
There are some limits, though, on what the best North Carolina sportsbooks can offer. You can’t bet on high school sports or eSports. Also, don’t expect North Carolina betting sites to offer odds on political elections or awards ceremonies. If you see anything like that, you’re probably browsing an illegal or “offshore” site that isn’t regulated by North Carolina (or US) law.
Wagers available in NC sportsbooks and betting apps
Based on the wagering menus in other states (and those already available at retail sports betting outlets), we can determine which bets you’ll be able to make once North Carolina sports betting apps go live. There are plenty of options for bettors of all bankrolls and experience levels, and we’ll go through them all below.
Point spreads
Point spreads are among the most popular ways to bet on sporting events. One team, a favorite, “gives” points to the other, the underdog. If the favorite wins by more than the point spread, it covers. If not, the underdog covers.
For example, if one team is a seven-point favorite, it needs to win by more than seven points for those who bet on that team to cash their tickets. Conversely, if the underdog loses by six points or less (or wins outright), underdog backers can rejoice. In this scenario, a seven-point win by the favorite would result in a “push,” where both sets of bets are refunded.
Totals
Also called an “over/under,” totals bets wager on the points scored during a contest. If the teams combine to score more than the number, “over” winners cash tickets. If not, “under” bets are winners.
It’s important to note, however, that operators set point spread and total numbers for specific reasons. They’re trying to generate equal action on both sides to reduce their liability. Keep that in mind as you contemplate your wagers on NC sports betting apps once they go live.
Parlays
Parlays have gained popularity in recent years. In these wagers, bettors attempt to string together multiple bets (or “legs”) to get an improved payoff. Parlays with enough legs can trigger massive payoffs.
Parlays fail when one leg loses. The more bets you string together, the tougher it is to connect on every one.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets are some of the simplest sports betting options around. You’re simply betting on which team will win outright.
Your payoff is influenced by the perceived likelihood of a victory. Rather than odds of -110 for a point spread bet, for instance, you’ll see far shorter odds on favorites and far greater odds on underdogs. A heavy favorite might be seen as -500 or greater on the moneyline, while a team seen as unlikely to win could be +500 or more.
Live betting
Your North Carolina betting app of choice may include live betting options while games are in progress. If you’re watching a game, you’ll see point spreads and totals fluctuate along with the action.
For instance, if your five-point favorite falls behind early, that spread might fall a few points. If they jump out to a big lead, though, that spread may increase.
Futures
As the name implies, futures pertain to major, season-ending events. These bets often focus on teams to win league championships, or for players or squads to hit or not hit certain year-long statistical milestones.
If you want to bet on Duke or North Carolina to win the NCAA tournament, you can do that. You can also bet on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup, or the Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl.
Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
The issue of problem gambling is a serious one. If you’re experiencing issues with problem gambling, there are resources available in North Carolina that can help.
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program provides a number of valuable services statewide. Its outreach, education, and treatment programs are funded by the North Carolina Education Lottery and supported by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Its helpline number is 877-718-5543.
More help is available via the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling. You can also call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
North Carolina sports betting FAQs
Will I need to be a NC resident to bet online?
No. You just need to be located within state lines to wager on North Carolina betting apps.
When will online sports betting launch in North Carolina?
North Carolina online sports betting is set to launch in early-2024. However, a specific launch date has yet to be announced.
How do you bet on sports in NC?
You can bet on sports at the state’s three tribal casinos, all of which have retail sports betting outlets. You’ll also be able to bet through NC sports betting apps once those go live.
Are my winnings taxable in NC?
Yes. Gambling winnings in North Carolina are taxable under state and federal law.
Which is the best North Carolina sportsbook app?
We don’t yet know which North Carolina betting apps will be live when the industry launches. Stay tuned to Winners and Whiners for reviews of each North Carolina betting app and the promotions they’ll offer to new users.