North Carolina Sports Betting â Best Legal NC Sportsbooks 2024
Online sports betting in North Carolina finally launched at midday on Monday March 11, 2024. Eight licensed sportsbook apps began accepting registrations a week prior to launch, though the law currently allows for up to 12 different operators.
Bettors in the Tar Heel State have been allowed to wager in-person from 2021. However, the necessary legislation for online sportsbooks didnât pass until June 14, 2023. Still, itâs better late than never!
In this guide, weâll reveal the eight sportsbooks offering online and mobile betting in North Carolina and discuss their future prospects. Weâll also take a closer look at the various bonuses and payment methods on offer, as well as explaining how to join such a site.
Top North Carolina Sports Betting Sites
Our panel of gambling industry experts constantly checks the internet for the latest online sportsbooks. We analyze each and every one, ensuring they are fully licensed and that they use secure payment methods and on-site encryption.
We also keep our eyes peeled for generous bonuses, competitive betting lines and assess dozens of other important factors. Below, youâll find the verdict of our team, when it comes to the top sites for sports betting in North Carolina.
Contents
This guide to sports betting in North Carolina will cover a lot of ground. If thereâs something specific youâre looking for, use the following links to jump straight to the relevant content.
- Is Online Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
- Will Sports Betting in North Carolina Be a Success?
- Sportsbook Partnerships in the State
- Popular Sports Betting Markets in NC
- Sport in North Carolina
- North Carolina Sportsbook Bonuses
- Payment Methods
- How to Join an Online Sports Betting Site in NC
- Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
- FAQ
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
On June 14, 2023, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper officially legalized online sports betting when he signed HB 347. The first licensed sportsbooks opened for registrations on March 1, 2024, with legal online bets officially accepted from noon on March 11.
Retail sports betting in North Carolina has been legal since Senate Bill 154 was signed into law on July 26, 2019. However, it took until March 18, 2021 for the first bet to be placed in the Tar Heel State. Matt Linsky did the honors at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino sportsbook, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Caesars Sportsbook stole a march on their competitors thanks to their partnership with this particular tribe. Its customers could place bets using the Caesars mobile app, as long as they were physically present at either Harrahâs Cherokee Casino Resort, or Harrahâs Cherokee Valley River.
Like most states in the USA, North Carolinians must be 21 years of age in order to bet on sports. It is permitted to bet on college sports, as well as professional teams, though high school sports betting remains illegal.
History of Sports Betting in North Carolina
Historically, North Carolina has resisted attempts to expand any form of gambling, not just sports betting. Anti-gambling laws can be found dating back to 1749. Hereâs a timeline of key events from more recent history.
- 1948 – The Carolina Racing Association opens its first greyhound racing track.
- 1954 – Greyhound racing operations cease after the North Carolina Supreme Court intervenes, declaring a violation of the state constitution.
- 2018 – The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is repealed, paving the way for legal sports betting in the country.
- 2019 – Senate Bill 154 permits sports betting on tribal land.
- 2021 – Two Harrahâs casinos open their new sportsbooks in March, run by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
- 2022 – A new retail sportsbook, operated by the Catawba tribe, opens at Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
- 2023 – HB 347 is signed into law, permitting the operation of online sportsbooks.
- 2024 – Legal online sports betting in North Carolina goes live.
Will Sports Betting in North Carolina Be a Success?
Thereâs every reason to believe that the North Carolina sports betting market can be a successful one. With a population of around 10.5 million, the Tar Heel State is the 9th largest in the country, slightly bigger than Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia.
Those three, and especially the latter, have certainly proven that sports betting is big business. Only New York reported a greater sportsbook handle than New Jersey in 2023, with the latter posting a total figure of $11.97 billion. Virginia clocked in at number eight, boasting a handle of almost $5.6 billion, followed by Michigan in 11th spot, with $4.8 billion.
Many experts are bullish, suggesting that North Carolina could generate as much as $7 billion worth of sports bets in its first year. If the new industry is to prove successful, the following factors will undoubtedly play a role:
- Sports fans. North Carolinians enjoy their sports, whether itâs playing or watching. They have a number of respected professional organizations right on their doorstep, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets. Not to mention a number of college teams and the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- Reasonable taxation. Online operators must pay an 18% state tax on their Gross Gaming Revenue. While thatâs not quite as favorable as the likes of New York (12%) or nearby Kentucky (14.25%) itâs still far better than most states. In Pennsylvania, for instance, online bookies must pay 36% in taxes. Lower rates leave more room for promotional activities which favor the player, and therefore growth.
- Many markets. Unlike some states, the North Carolina sports betting laws allow players to wager on pretty much anything. Parlays, player props, futures and in-play betting are all perfectly legal. High school sports betting is banned, but everything else is fair game, including college events.
Sportsbook Partnerships in the State
The new sportsbook laws in North Carolina require each betting operator to partner with one one of two native American tribes, or a professional sports entity. This could be a team, a venue or a body like the PGA Tour.
Although there are currently just eight licensed online betting companies, there are twelve qualifying organizations and tribes in total. As such, thereâs scope for four additional sportsbook launches in future.
Here are the current relationships in NC, as of March 10, 2024.
Popular Sports Betting Markets in NC
Since the North Carolina sports betting laws are unrestrictive, the eight online sportsbooks will likely offer the same products found elsewhere in the country. Although itâs still too early to know exactly which markets will prove most popular, we can assume that trends will match the rest of the USA.
Moneyline
The moneyline is always a popular bet, since you only have to work out which team or competitor is going to win. If the Panthers are facing the Chiefs, for instance, youâll simply pick one of the two teams. Thereâs no need to think about points spreads and handicaps; if your chosen team wins the game, you get paid.
Moneyline bets are commonly added to parlays, in addition to functioning as standalone bets. Their simplicity is a big reason behind their popularity, so weâd expect to see them making up a fair share of bets in NC.
Spread
Even more popular than the moneyline, US bettors love to bet on spreads. The odds setters give the underdog a head start, handicapping the superior team accordingly. You have to work out whether or not your chosen team will win the game after the handicap is factored in.
The main reason for creating this type of bet is to make the odds more competitive. There wouldnât be much of a moneyline return if one team is far greater than the other. Expect to see every single North Carolina sports betting site offering this market.
Totals
Another popular betting opportunity in the United States, totals are sometimes known as âover/underâ bets. The odds compilers might set a total line of 196.5 points in the Hornets game, for example. You then have to decide whether the real combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than that figure.
If the Hornets lose 107 to 89, for instance, the combined points total is 196. In this example, a wager on the âUnderâ would be a winner, while âOverâ bets are losers.
In-Play
For nearly 20 years now, driven by the huge surge in mobile phone usage, live betting has become big business. Mobile sportsbooks across the country take more than 60% of their bets when games are already in-play. And thereâs no reason to imagine that sports betting in North Carolina will be any different.
Many in-play markets are just like the pre-game options, including moneyline, spreads and totals. But the unique circumstances of live betting have led to the creation of some truly weird and wonderful betting opportunities.
Parlay
The humble parlay is a staple of all sportsbooks around the world, not only the USA. It offers a great way to take your sporting nous and use it to turn cents into dollars. By combining multiple markets into one single bet, the odds, and therefore the potential returns, increase exponentially.
Of course, the risk also increases, since every selection in your parlay has to win. If even one of them lets you down, the entire bet loses. But the thrill of landing that big win keeps players coming back time after time. And we fully expect sports betting lovers in North Carolina to show the same appetite for parlays.
Teasers
These are quite similar to parlays, as the idea is to combine multiple picks into a single bet and shoot for a big win. However, the return wonât be quite as generous, as teasers offer more flexibility to the player.
You can customize them somewhat, making things a little more favorable. For example, you could move the handicap spread a few points away from the original line. There are no laws against offering teasers in North Carolina, so theyâre likely to become firm favorites with both the players and the bookmakers.
Futures
A long-term play, hence the name âfuturesâ, the idea is to work out whatâs going to happen weeks, months or even years from now. Theyâre especially common bets in horse racing, though they do exist in other sports. Bettors often try to guess which horse will win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont the following year, for instance.
Other examples might be predicting the NBA MVP come the end of the season, or which team will win the Super Bowl. Futures bets are not easy to win due to the inherent uncertainty involved, so the rewards can be much greater.
Sport in North Carolina
A major reason why the North Carolina sports betting market could blow up is the residents. The Tar Heel State is not exactly short of sports fans. And with so much access to events and teams right on their doorstep, it seems inevitable that betting will prove popular.
There are dozens of professional teams in North Carolina, headed by NHLâs Carolina Hurricanes, NFLâs Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Charlotte FC joined MLS in 2021, while North Carolina Courage plays in the NWSL. Motorsports are huge in the state too, with the Haas F1 Team based in Kannapolis, not to mention several high profile NASCAR teams.
We believe the most popular sports with NC bettors will be the following:
- Football
- Basketball
- Motorsports
- Hockey
- Baseball
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
North Carolina Sportsbook Bonuses
Now that sports betting in North Carolina is up and running, the eight legal sportsbooks will be vying hard for new registrants. A big part of that involves setting up attractive welcome bonuses, to draw in new players.
Of course, the focus then switches to retaining those customers, with rewarding loyalty bonuses and promotions. Here are the most common offers to look out for from online bookmakers in the Tar Heel State.
Deposit Bonus
This is the most frequently offered form of welcome bonus seen at online sports betting sites and apps in North Carolina. The idea is simple: deposit a certain amount of cash into your new account and receive a number of bonus bets in return.
At BetMGM, for instance, thereâs a total of $200 in bonus bets awaiting all new signups. These can be used to bet on most events, though you should always check the terms and conditions to avoid disappointment. If the bonus bet wins, youâll keep the profits, but not the stake.
Reload Bonus
Many online bookmakers offer smaller bonuses for making further deposits, too. The idea is simply to reward ongoing player loyalty. These are usually dubbed reload bonuses, and theyâre essentially the same as any other deposit offer. The only difference is that the value will be lower than the welcome offer.
Second Chance Bet
Weâre not aware of any North Carolina sports betting sites offering second chance bets at the moment, but theyâre common in other parts of the US. They used to be called ârisk-free betsâ, but this was deemed misleading, hence the renaming.
They work by effectively refunding you if your first real money bet loses. Although the stake isnât returned in cash, a bonus bet equal to that amount is issued instead. Itâs simply a form of insurance to protect you should the initial wager go awry.
Bet Boosts
Sometimes called odds boosts, these come in a couple of different flavors. However, the idea is always the same. When applied to a winning bet, the expected returns will be increased, usually by a fixed percentage.
Some bookies issue boosts as tokens, allowing you to choose which bets you apply them to. Others simply enhance the odds of selected markets, either in a happy hour style promotion, or permanently. The odds themselves may be increased, or the returns on winning bets could be boosted upon settlement.
Loyalty Program
Not every sportsbook will offer a structured rewards or VIP program, but the best ones certainly do. As you place real money bets, youâll earn points towards the loyalty ladder. The further up you climb, the better the perks will be. These might include personalized deposit limits or superior customer support, for instance.
In addition, your points can usually be exchanged for rewards, such as merchandise, bonus bets and experiences. The BetMGM Rewards program, for example, offers players discounts on resort and hotel stays, as well as dining.
Payment Methods
All good sportsbooks in NC are equipped with a wide variety of safe, secure and reputable payment providers. Some of the most popular ways to fund your betting account are bank cards, e-wallets and mobile payments. Watch out for the following payment processors:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Bank Wire
How to Join an Online Sports Betting Site in NC
Getting started at a new North Carolina sports betting site couldnât be easier. Hereâs a quick walkthrough to help get you started.
- Pick one of the legal sportsbooks featured on this page.
- Click the link to visit the homepage
- Look for the button marked âRegisterâ, âJoinâ or similar.
- Hit this button and carefully fill up the resulting signup form.
- Read and understand the Ts & Cs before finalizing your registration.
- Upon automatically logging into your new account, visit the cashier.
- Choose your preferred payment method and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once the deposit is complete, youâre all set to commence betting. Good luck!
Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
For the overwhelming majority of people, sports betting is a fun and exciting pastime. However, a small minority of bettors can lose control and develop harmful gambling behaviors.
If youâre worried about your own gambling activity, or that of a loved one, help is at hand. Get in touch with any of the following organizations to seek assistance.
- The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program (NCPGP). Dial 1-877-718-5543 for support, outreach and educational tools related to problem gambling through the state of North Carolina.
- The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA offers a 24/7 free and confidential helpline for anyone seeking treatment or assistance with addiction. Call 1-800-662-4357 for details.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline. Dial 1-800-GAMBLER for the helpline, but there are many ways to get in touch. Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website for more information at ncpgambling.org, or send an SMS to 800GAM.
Useful Tools
Alongside the above organizations, the best sports betting sites in North Carolina supply a number of self-help tools, accessible from within your account. If youâre struggling to stay on top of your betting, consider applying one or more of the following:
- Reality Checks. Configure an automatic notification that lets you know how long youâve been on the site, as well as any profit and loss figures.
- Deposit Limits. Determine a maximum amount of money you may deposit within a specific time frame. Once you reach the limit, the site will block further transactions.
- Time Outs. If you wish to take an enforced break, but retain access to your account in future, consider setting up a temporary time out.
- Self Exclusion. The strictest of all responsible gambling tools, this sees your account closed for a period of time between six months and five years. Alternatively, you can opt for a permanent exclusion.You will not be able to reverse this decision.
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