Updated on: Sep 12, 2024 2:38 PM ET Fact checked by: David Caraviello
North Carolina has offered legal sports betting since March 11, 2024 when Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 (HB 347). Legalization came just in time for March Madness much to the delight of North Carolina sports fans who patiently waited years while dozens of other states permitted wagering. North Carolina offers three retail sports betting locations (in Catawba, Cherokee, and Murphy) and eight different online sportsbook options including big names like FanDuel and DraftKings. The state allows for up to 12 online sports betting licenses, so don’t be surprised if a few more sportsbooks put their hat into the ring. If that happens I’ll make sure to keep you updated here.
North Carolina’s eight unique online sportsbooks offer bettors a lot of options, but it can be difficult to decide which to go with. I will provide you with the best legal sports betting options in North Carolina and explain how to get started betting on sports. I’ll also provide details on the state’s path toward legal sports betting, which North Carolina teams you can wager on and responsible gambling resources.
Best Betting Sites For North Carolina
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is sports betting legal in north carolina
Yes, online and retail sports betting officially became legal in North Carolina June 14, 2023 when Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 the same day it passed in the senate. It took another nine months for DraftKings, Fanduel, and Caesars to give birth to online sports wagering in North Carolina. Unlike its neighbor Virginia, North Carolina does allow bets on the NFL draft, so betting on the Carolina Panthers first round pick is an option. North Carolina also allows wagering on in-state college teams and players which is noteworthy considering its major programs like Duke and UNC.
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Launch Date: March, 2024
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Legal Betting Age: 21
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: No
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Online Poker Sites: No
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Best Available Sportsbook: FanDuel
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Regulatory Body: North Carolina State Lottery Commission
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Legal Online Sportsbooks: 8
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College Sports Betting: Yes
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Political or Entertainment Betting: No
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High School Sports Betting: No
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Esports Betting: Yes
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NFL Draft: Yes
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Remote Registration: Yes
timeline of betting legislation & latest news
Compared to other states, North Carolina was a bit late to the party when it legalized retail and online sports bets in June of 2023. Roy Cooper showed his enthusiasm for sports betting by signing House Bill 347 into law the same day it was passed in the senate.
may 14, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for each state to legalize sports betting.
march 13, 2023
House Bill 347 (HB 347) is introduced in the house. Bill aims to legalize retail and online sports betting in North Carolina.
june 1, 2023
New version ofHB 347 is approved in the senate by a vote of 37-11.
june 14, 2023
HB 347, with senate’s changes, is approved in the house by a vote of 68-45. Governor Roy Cooper signs HB 347 into law, authorizing sports betting to begin in early 2024.
march 11, 2024
Onlinesports betting launches in North Carolinawith Gov. Cooper and former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olson making the ceremonial first bets. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars are the first mobile sports betting apps to go live.
may 13, 2024
Rep. Marcia Morey files House Bill 967 (HB 967) which would ban player props on NCAA athletes. Lawmakers have expressed doubt about the bill passing and to date it hasn’t.
how to start betting in north carolina
Sports betting in North Carolina is simple and painless thanks to remote registration which allows bettors to register for a sportsbook and deposit money into their account from anywhere in the state. If you’re over 21-years-old and in North Carolina, you can download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and begin betting instantly.
select a sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
create account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
Deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
choose you bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
With a population of over 10 million, North Carolina is a fast-growing state that in recent decades has seen its sports landscape completely transformed. Once the domain largely of college basketball and NASCAR races, the Old North State now boasts NFL, NBA and NHL franchises that complement its rich history of ACC basketball and historic stock-car racing venues in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro.
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NBA - Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets were a phenomenon when they arrived as the state’s first major pro team in 1988. Those fun early years with Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning gave way to a checkered history rife with ownership and arena squabbles, and the team moved to New Orleans in 2002. Charlotte rejoined the NBA under the Bobcats nickname in 2004, and reclaimed its Hornets moniker in 2014—but it’s never been quite the same. Charlotte hasn’t made the playoffs in seven years and hasn’t gotten out of the first round since 2002, though its 82 games offer lots of wagering opportunities to sports bettors.
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NFL - Carolina Panthers: The Panthers arrived in 1995, playing their first season in Clemson, S.C., while their downtown Charlotte stadium was being completed. That first year in the Queen City they went 12-4, and the city was smitten. Carolina enjoyed a long stretch of stability under coaches John Fox and Ron Rivera, who each took the Panthers to Super Bowls (though both lost). For a brief moment, Carolina was viewed as a model franchise—though that’s hard to believe now, after six-straight losing seasons. But thanks to the immense popularity of the NFL in sports wagering, the Panthers always promise to be popular among North Carolina sports bettors.
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NHL - Carolina Hurricanes: Who could have imagined that North Carolina’s most successful pro sports team plays on the ice? But that’s the case, given that the Hurricanes’ 2006 Stanley Cup remains the only major pro sports title in the Old North State. The one-time Hartford Whalers were a mess when they relocated from New England, but over the past decade in particular, they’re a regular contender in the NHL. The Hurricanes have made the playoffs for five consecutive years, and have a loyal following that will almost certainly translate into regular NHL bets over the course of the season.
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NCAA - North Carolina Tar Heels: Even as North Carolina has attracted more professional sports, the heartbeat of the state remains ACC basketball. The UNC Tar Heels men’s basketball team has only finished under .500 twice since 1962. UNC last won the National Championship in the 2016-2017 season and has one of the best rivalries in all of sports with ACC Rival Duke.
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NCAA - Duke Blue Devils: Duke has won 5 National Championships in men’s basketball and fans grew accustomed to seeing them make deep March Madness runs under former head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Duke hasn’t had a losing season since 1994-1995 when Krzysewski missed time with a back injury. While UNC and Duke are by far the most popular college basketball teams in the state, the N.C. State Wolpack and Wake Forest Demon Deacons also have loyal followings in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services created the website which has useful information about treatment, prevention, and recovery. Anyone in North Carolina struggling with gambling addiction has help available 24/7 by calling 1-877-718-5543 or by texting “morethanagamenc” to 53342. North Carolina offers a voluntary self exclusion program for anyone interested in banning themselves from gambling activity in the state with this form.
