North Carolina Sports Betting: Best NC Sportsbooks July 2025

The legal market for North Carolina sports betting launched in March 2024, with eight sportsbooks now licensed in the state. These operators generated total revenue of $65,227,119 in May 2025, largely from fans of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers in the NFL.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review the best North Carolina sportsbooks for July, while addressing the legislative landscape and offering some key NC betting insights.

North Carolina Sports Betting – Key Facts 2025

HB 347 featured comprehensive NC sports betting legislation, and was signed into law on June 14th, 2023. The market subsequently went live the following March, just in time for that year’s NCAA tournament. Here’s an overview of the current marketplace and its most recent monthly handle.

Best North Carolina Sportsbooks Ranked 2025

Now, we’re going to drill a little deeper into our pick of the top five NC sportsbooks. Our recommendations are based on several key criteria, such as the range of available betting markets, mobile compatibility and the competitiveness of odds.

Each criterion is applied evenly to determine the best North Carolina betting sites. Our consistent and transparent process also delivers fair results that are incredibly accurate.

FanDuel – Top Overall North Carolina Sportsbook

FanDuel is our pick as the best overall North Carolina sportsbook for July. The brand is an official sports betting partner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, with this collaboration unlocking exciting marketing opportunities and competitive odds promotions.

Across the board, FanDuel offers an especially broad range of NFL betting markets. These include extensive Futures Specials, alongside highly competitive moneylines, spreads and totals.

When you sign up for a FanDuel account, you’re also eligible to receive up to $150 in bonus bets. Simply deposit and wager a minimum of $5, and if your first qualifying wager loses, the site will credit your account with bonus bets. Just note that all bonus bets must be staked within seven days.

At FanDuel, you can access an MLB Same Game Parlay Profit Boost too. This can boost your profits by up to 30%, on qualifying same-game parlays with three or more selections.

• FanDual NC review

DraftKings – Best NC Sportsbook for Mobile Betting

DraftKings launched alongside FanDuel in NC, having made NASCAR its market access partner. The Tar Heel State houses much of the NASCAR industry, while DraftKings offers highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series Championship outrights.

If you’re a basketball fan who likes betting on the Charlotte Hornets, DraftKings also has you covered. The site offers a huge range of NBA and WNBA betting markets, including extensive props and same-game parlay options.

DraftKings also delivers an exceptional mobile betting experience. The brand has designed and developed native apps for iOS and Android, with the former boasting an average score of 4.8/5 from a total of 842.2k reviews. Both apps are slick and well designed, while they also feature innovative betting pools.

DraftKings is also offering up to $150 in bonus bets to new customers. Once again, you’ll have to deposit and wager $5 to qualify, while the bonus will be paid in six separate $25 bets.

• DraftKings NZ review

bet365 – Best Sportsbook for NC College Sports

By the time bet365 had launched in NC on March 11th, 2024, it had already entered into a formal partnership with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. This deal was struck during the previous November, while it was the first agreement of its type in the state.

bet365 excels from the perspective of NC college sports betting. It certainly offered some of the most competitive NCAA Division I odds in 2025, which was ideal when backing either UNC or the Duke Blue Devils. There are frequent odds and parlay boosts made available across college sports too, unlocking potentially higher returns over time.

You may also be able to benefit from early payouts at bet365. For example, if your college basketball pick opens up an 18+ point advantage during a game, you can cash out and claim your winnings. Similar offers apply to qualifying NBA and NHL betting markets.

This NC sportsbook offers a choice between two welcome bonuses too. You can either wager up to $1,000 and have your stake returned as a bonus bet if you lose, or commit $5 and claim up to $200 in bonus bets.

• bet365 review

Caesars – Best Sportsbook for Competitive NFL, NBA and NHL Odds

Of all our recommended NC betting sites, Caesars is the only one licensed for both online and retail wagering. Partnering with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the site operates land-based sportsbooks in both Cherokee and Murphy.

Caesars is renowned for its coverage of the NFL, NBA and the NHL. Hornets and Carolina Hurricanes fans can access weekly profit boosts for example, which usually range between 25% and 50% on selected matchups.

NFL and Panthers fans should consider checking out Caesar’s Odds Boosts Hub too. This features generous odds boosts across the NFL and similarly popular sports, creating significant value when packing the Panthers.

When you register for a Caesars account online, you’re eligible to receive 10 separate 100% profit boosts. Simply place an initial bet of $1 or more to qualify. The maximum bet limit per profit boost is $25, while each boost is valid for 14 days after receipt.

• Caesars NC review

BetMGM – Best NC Sportsbook for Rewards Program

BetMGM was another of our recommended NC sports betting sites to launch in the state on March 11th, 2024. This sportsbook is best known for its market leading rewards program, which enables you to earn tier credits and improve your status when playing online and at official MGM Resorts.

You’re eligible to collect tier credits from the moment you register for a BetMGM account. The program features five levels, with the highest (Noir) only available via invitation. Once you reach the Pearl level, you’ll receive points multipliers of 10% and upwards, while annual birthday gifts are also available.

New BetMGM players can also receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Any losing qualifying wagers up to this value will be paid back in bonus bet credits, which will remain active on your account for up to seven days.

At BetMGM, you’ll also find competitive outrights, especially when wagering on competitions like the NHL and NBA. The site has already published its outright odds for Super Bowl LX, with the Panthers priced at around +12500.

• BetMGM NC review

North Carolina Sports Betting Updates – July 2025

All eight live NC sportsbooks launched on March 11th, 2024. This was the day before that year’s NCAA Division I championship, with more than $11.6 million wagered during the first 12 hours of legal online sports betting in the state.

In total, 11 brands can operate online in NC, excluding tribes in the state. However, no further sportsbooks have launched since March 2024, despite the fact that BetRivers is active in a number of east coast jurisdictions. This status quo may change in 2025.

Shortly after the official launch date, North Carolina Rep. Marcia Morey filed HB 967, which sought to ban prop betting on college players. This followed lobbying from the NCAA and concerns over player welfare. Although this particular bill was unsuccessful, several lawmakers have launched a revised bill (HB 828) for debate during the current legislative session.

How to Start Betting Online in North Carolina – A Beginner’s Guide

To engage in sports betting in NC, you must be aged 21 years or older and within North Carolina’s state lines. We’ll touch more on these laws a little later in the guide, but here’s a step-by-step guide to betting online in the state.

1. Choose a Licensed North Carolina Sportsbook

Firstly, you’ll need to choose a licensed and reputable North Carolina betting site. Each of the jurisdiction’s eight licensed brands are familiar and well-regulated by the NC Lottery Commission, but we’d urge you to register with one of our recommended sportsbooks.

2. Register Your NC Sports Betting Account

Once you’ve chosen your sportsbook, you’ll have to navigate to their website before hitting the Join or Sign Up button. If you choose FanDuel, this button is located towards the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Next, you’ll need to provide a verifiable email and password for your account, before entering information such as your mobile number, address and date-of-birth.

Provided that the data you enter is accurate, your account will be verified and you can make your first deposit. Brands may also require you to provide documentation to verify your identity before you complete your first withdrawal.

3. Depositing Funds into Your North Carolina Account

You can credit your account using the Deposit, Cashier or Add Funds button. This will bring up the range of payment methods accepted by the site, which vary from one sportsbook to another.

At FanDuel, popular banking options include Visa and Mastercard debit, Trustly, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal and credit card. There’s also a PayNearMe option, which enables you to deposit up to $500 per day at participating retail locations.

When you pick your deposit method and amount, just be sure to factor in the site’s minimum limits and any relevant bonus T&Cs.

4. Understanding Basic Bet Types & Reading Odds in NC

You can now browse the available events, odds and markets, usually via a vertical menu on the left-hand side of the lobby. All prices are presented in the American odds format, which indicates favorites and underdogs, how much you can win in relation to your stake and the implied probability of an outcome occurring.

A minus sign highlights a betting favorite, while the corresponding number lets you know how much you’ll have to stake to win $100. Teams or players with a plus sign are the underdogs, and their accompanying number relays how much you’ll win for every $100 staked.

The most popular bet types include moneylines, point spreads and totals. Same-game parlays are also available at our recommended North Carolina betting apps, which is ideal when betting on matches involving the Panthers. You’ll also find a broad selection of outrights, featuring playoff odds for the Hornets and NCAA Division I sides.

5. Placing Your First Bet on a North Carolina Betting Site

You can select an outcome by clicking on the accompanying odds. This will automatically populate your bet slip, which should appear on the right-hand side of the lobby. You can then add as many selections as you want, before deciding whether to create singles bets or parlays.

You can now set your preferred stake amounts, before accepting the live odds (which may have changed since your selection) and hitting Place Bets.

6. Withdrawing Winnings from North Carolina Sportsbooks

If one or more of your bets are successful, you may want to withdraw your winnings. Simply head to the Withdrawal tab and choose the amount you’d like to transfer, making sure that this is higher than the site’s minimum limit.

You can then select a viable withdrawal method. At sites like FanDuel, popular withdrawal methods include bank transfer, Venmo and PayPal, although credit cards and Apple Pay cannot be used to access funds.

When engaging in North Carolina sports betting online, the average withdrawal time varies between 48 and 72 hours. This includes internal processing times. Remember, operators may also look to verify your identity prior to your first withdrawal, usually by requesting a copy of your passport, drivers’ license or social security number.

Such documents can be uploaded directly to your account or shared with the customer service team via email. Once verified, you’ll be eligible to receive your winnings.

North Carolina Sports Betting Laws – Key Details for NC Bettors

Although sports betting is legal in North Carolina, there are a number of rules that govern this practice. Most importantly, you must be aged 21 or older and have valid ID verification, otherwise you’ll be unable to open an account, place bets or withdraw winnings. But what other rules are prevalent?

Betting Within North Carolina State Lines

When you sign up with an NC sportsbook, you’ll have to be located within the state lines. Sites utilize geolocation software to confirm your real-time location when you register, and each time you subsequently access your account.

The good news is that residency within North Carolina is not required to open a sportsbook account. So, the law exists primarily to prohibit inter-state gambling online.

North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC) – The Regulatory Authority

On August 31st, 2005, the North Carolina State Lottery Act was signed into law. Subsequently, the North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC) was established as the state’s regulatory power, with members appointed the following month.

After HB 347 was passed into law, the NCLC was afforded the responsibility of licensing and regulating sports and horse racing betting. It currently issues licenses and ensures compliance, while enforcing state laws and safeguards customers in North Carolina.

To operate in NC, sportsbooks must gain licensing accreditation from the NCLC. This requires them to comply with all age restrictions and KYC (Know Your Customer) laws. Currently, eight licenses have been awarded in North Carolina, from a total of 11 that are available.

Licensed Operators in North Carolina – Betting with Approved Sites

Betting with licensed sportsbooks and our recommended sites unlocks a number of advantages. Not only does the NCLC take steps to safeguard bettors, but it also serves as an independent body through which customer complaints can be escalated and resolved. Here’s a concise summary of the eight sportsbooks currently licensed in NC:

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• bet365
• Caesars
• BetMGM
• ESPN Bet
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• Underdog Sports

When navigating the sports betting market in North Carolina, you may also come across offshore betting sites. These entities are licensed offshore and operate outside of the jurisdiction of the NCLC, and they typically offer fewer player protections. For example, they may offer fewer safer gambling tools or operate sites that aren’t SSL encrypted.

To verify a site’s licensing credentials, scroll down to the bottom of their home page. Here, you should find the sportsbook’s license number and the regulatory body that it answers to. Ideally, the license number will also be hyperlinked to the third-party regulator’s site. You can also visit the NCLC website to check the state’s up-to-date list of licensees.

Tax Implications on Winnings in North Carolina

Currently, licensed operators in NC are liable to pay an 18% tax rate on their gross gaming revenue. Earlier in the 2025 legislative session, the North Carolina Senate proposed hiking this tax rate to 36%, but the House’s budget failed to authorize this.

Winnings derived from NC sports bets are also classed as taxable income. The state government imposes a 4.25% personal income tax rate on gambling winnings, while you’ll be subject to federal taxes of anywhere between 10% and 37%.

Permitted & Prohibited Bets in North Carolina

Currently, there are no restrictions on the bets that you can place online in North Carolina. This includes horse racing wagers (although pari-mutuel bets have yet to be officially sanctioned), while you’re also able to bet on a broad selection of college sports and teams such as UNC Wilmington and the Duke Blue Devils.

When betting on college sports in NC, you can even choose from a broad selection of props. However, the recently submitted HB 828 seeks to ban prop betting on college players, with the NCAA concerned over the potential consequences for young athletes. This bill will be discussed later in 2025 and may well restrict collegiate sports betting in the future.

Bet on North Carolina Teams: Panthers, Hornets, Tar Heels & More

Of course, North Carolina is a hotbed of sport, with the state represented in top-tier leagues like the NFL and NBA. The region is home to some excellent college sports teams too, with the Duke Blue Devils having reached the final four of the 2025 NCAA Division I competition. Here’s an overview of the state’s most beloved and followed sports teams:

Carolina Panthers Betting (NFL)

Although the Panthers aren’t currently tipped to win the 2026 Super Bowl, they remain a staple of the NFL and won the NFC Conference in 2015. This year also saw them compile a superb 15-1 record in the NFC South as they ultimately lost Super Bowl 50 to Denver Broncos. Popular Panthers markets include moneylines, spreads and NFC South outrights, while playoff futures also appeal to the team’s most enthusiastic fans.

Charlotte Hornets Betting (NBA)

Like the Panthers, the Hornets are rank outsiders to win the 2026 NBA finals. In fact, they can be backed at +75000 to prevail with FanDuel. Of course, the Hornets have never won either the NBA finals or Eastern Conference, but their fans are impassioned and love wagering on individual matchdays. Spreads and points totals are particularly popular markets, while supporters also enjoy building competitively priced player props.

UNC Tar Heels Betting (NCAA Basketball & Football)

The UNC Tar Heels are one of the state’s highest profile college teams, while they retain a fierce rivalry with Duke. This is particularly prevalent in college basketball, where UNC holds the edge with 145 victories in 265 head-to-head matches. However, they lost three times to Duke in their 2024/25 campaign, before being eliminated in the Southern Regional first round by Ole Miss. Match betting on UNC remains popular among basketball and football fans, while player props also appeal to locals.

Duke Blue Devils Betting (NCAA Basketball & Football)

Duke were among the dominant NCAA basketball teams last season, compiling a superb 35-4 record overall before losing by three points to Houston in the final four during March Madness. The Duke football team enjoyed slightly more mixed results in 2024/25, but did manage to defeat Florida State for the first time in 23 attempts. Outright and ACC Conference betting on Duke is popular due to the strength of the establishment’s teams, while moneylines may also appeal depending on the opposition.

NC State Wolfpack & Other NC College Teams

The NC State Wolfpack is another popular college team in NC. However, it has historically been less successful than its rivals, going 12-19 in last season’s NCAA competition. However, they can be widely backed in ACC competition, with totals and positive spreads proving popular among locals. You can also wager on UNC Wilmington in North Carolina, with the basketball team having gone 27-7 in the CAA last season. This win-rate will be appealing to fans of match and moneyline betting in NC.

How We Rate & Review North Carolina Sportsbooks

As we’ve touched on, our team of experts uses key and consistent criteria to rank North Carolina sports betting sites. This ensures that our ratings are as fair and accurate as possible. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the most important criteria and how they impact on your NC gambling experience.

• Market Access and Ease of Betting: In NC, we give weight to sportsbooks that have developed commercial ties with local sports teams. FanDuel and bet365 have strategic partnerships with the Panthers and the Hornets respectively, resulting in increased market access and enhanced odds for fans. Sportsbooks that offer seamless mobile betting will also rank well, with DraftKings having developed an incredibly impressive iOS app that even includes betting pool features.
• Odds Competitiveness and Market Variety: Although odds won’t vary too wildly between NC sportsbooks, brands can apply price boosts that unlock additional value. Caesars has a dedicated Odds Boosts Hub, for example, which features daily price boosts across leagues like the NFL and NBA. bet365 also published regular odds and parlays boosts on selected events. Our experts also appraise each sportsbook’s depth and range of betting markets, from totals and spreads to player props and parlay combinations.
• Promotions and Bonus Value: All of our recommended NC sports betting apps and sites offer a welcome offer to new bettors. Our team analyzes these offers in full, including the key terms and conditions that impact a bonus’s full value. We’ll pay particular attention to the rollover requirements and timeframe in which they have to be fulfilled. Similarly, we’ll look at any minimum odds requirements for bonus bets and address whether they offer genuine value. Click to find the best sportsbook promos in North Carolina.
• Payment Methods and Payout Speed in NC: Payment methods also vary from one sportsbook to another. However, we look for accessible and secure payment methods when carrying out our reviews, including debit and credit cards, prepaid cards, Trustly and ewallets like Venmo and PayPal. Our experts will also test payout speeds in NC directly, factoring in different banking methods and internal processing times. Most NC sportsbooks process payouts within three working days on average.
• Customer Support Quality for NC Users: Our team also tests each sportsbook’s customer support. We’ll send messages to different channels, including interactive live chat and email, with a view to ensuring that support is accessible, responsive and capable of settling queries. We’ll also give additional weight to sites that have developed comprehensive FAQ pages, as this can help you to resolve queries without speaking directly to an agent.
• Licensing and Security: We ensure that each of our recommended sportsbooks is licensed and regulated by the NCLC. This means that you can bet in North Carolina with genuine peace of mind. Our experts will also confirm that sites offer 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum security standard, as this protects your payment information and the integrity of individual transactions.

Online vs. Retail Sports Betting in North Carolina

Legal sports betting in North Carolina includes both online and retail outlets. Each avenue offers a different betting experience, which unlocks various pros and cons. Here are some of the key considerations for NC residents aged 21 and over.

Benefits of North Carolina Sports Betting Apps & Websites

As you can see, there are a number of potential advantages to online sports betting in NC. These include convenience and accessibility, while online sites and apps unlock a more comprehensive range of events and betting markets.

Online NC sportsbooks also offer a wider selection of bonuses, including bonus bet and cashback offers. They even have the capacity to create more tailored and bespoke bonuses, based on your preferred sports, teams and betting frequency.

When wagering online, the process of comparing live odds is also quicker and more straightforward. You can compare odds at-a-glance and rapidly identify the best value lines, across both pre-game and live markets. Online betting also unlocks live streaming and in-play data feeds, which helps you to make more informed and timely bets during games.

Retail Sportsbooks in North Carolina: Casino & Other Locations

Throughout the state of NC, there are three land-based sportsbooks. Two of these are located in Cherokee and Murphy, where Caesars are able to operate due to their strategic partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You’ll also find the Catawba Two Kings sportsbook located in Kings Mountain.

Although offline sports betting offers fewer advantages than online wagering, there are still some potential benefits of this practice. It allows you to enjoy a more enriching social experience, for example, while locations will often broadcast selected events at the venue too.

You’re also eligible to receive instant payouts at an offline casino. You can cash in your bet slip at the nearest kiosk, with having to factor in pending withdrawal times.

North Carolina Sports Betting Handle & Revenue

Since launching in March 2024, sports betting in North Carolina has generated a lifetime handle of $8.38 billion. The eight licensed operators within the state have subsequently reported cumulative revenues of $863,999,007, as of May 2025. The state treasury has also recouped $147,267,175 in tax payments.

Interestingly, the year-on-year NC betting handle data continues to fluctuate. For example, the $558,147,846 wagered in May was 7% higher than the amount bet precisely 12 months previously. However, April’s handle of $572,116,884 was around 11.2% lower when compared with April 2024, despite Duke advancing to the NCAA Division 1 last four.

In terms of the most recent revenue statistics, NC saw a year-on-year hike of 3.3% in May 2025. Revenues hit $65,227,119 at this time (up from $63,080,346), with the NBA playoffs helping to drive growth significantly.

Other Legal Gambling Options in North Carolina

The NC State Lottery has been live since 2005, while legal sports betting is now in its second year in North Carolina. As online gambling in North Carolina continues to thrive, we’ll take a look at the full range of legal activities in the state.

Tribal Casino Gaming in North Carolina

At the time of writing, there are three tribal casino locations in NC. These include the resorts in Cherokee and Murphy, which are owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars. The Catawba Indian Nation owns the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.

Interestingly, September 16th, 2023 saw the NC Senate release a bill that would authorize four more casinos in the state. At least one of these will be assigned to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, in lieu of a federal Indian-gaming casino. Although this legislation was never passed, it may be revisited at some point in the future.

North Carolina Education Lottery

The first lottery scratch-off tickets went on sale in NC in March 2006, just seven months after the North Carolina State Lottery Act was signed into law. Since this time, the lottery has generated more than $10 billion, with all the net proceeds going directly to the state’s education.

Now, you can play a number of lottery games in NC, both on and offline. The State Lottery website lets you participate in Powerball and Mega Millions draws, while there’s a wide range of digital instant win games available too. These unlock prizes ranging from $150,000 to $4.5 million, while you can participate for as little as $0.50 per turn.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in North Carolina

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) enable you to compete in various fantasy contests, which are typically settled in a few hours or over the course of a matchweek. This enables you to draft new lineups for different matchups across numerous sports, optimizing your chances of winning cash based on the performance of your team.

FanDuel and DraftKings lead the DFS marketplace, and have been offering this vertical in NC since their respective launches. Underdog Sports, which is also licensed in North Carolina, offers a similar DFS product alongside a 50% deposit match up to $1,000. This offer also carries competitive rollover requirements of just 1x.

Horse Racing Betting in North Carolina

When sports betting was legalized in NC, so too were most iterations of horse racing wagering. Simulcast and advance-deposit wagering (ADW) are widely available in North Carolina, and you can place horse racing bets both online and at licensed retail locations.

For now, however, pari-mutuel wagering on horses remains illegal. This was initially delayed to focus on sports betting legislation, but the NCLC has already approved revisions that would help pari-mutuel wagering to go live. It’s estimated that this vertical could launch in the state in the second half of 2025.

Responsible Sports Betting in North Carolina (Play Responsibly, 21+)

While online betting in NC unlocks a broad selection of markets and promotions, the sheer range of options available can be overwhelming for some. So, it’s important that you commit to wagering responsibly at all times, while complying with all age and state location restrictions. Here’s a brief guide on responsible and safer gambling in North Carolina.

Tips for Gambling Responsibly in North Carolina

Let’s start by offering some expert tips on how to gamble responsibly in NC. This will provide actionable advice that enables you to set and manage a viable bankroll.

1. Set Limits: Ultimately, your bankroll should cover a finite period of time and never exceed an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose. You can also manage your bankroll using customizable deposit limits, which can be set on a daily, weekly or monthly basis depending on your betting frequency.
2. Don’t Chase Losses: It’s also important that you avoid emotive gambling at all times. For example, you should always refrain from chasing any losses that you incur, as this can quickly exhaust your bankroll and force you to bet outside of your means. You should also accept loss as an inevitable part of sports betting in North Carolina.
3. Bet Smart, But for Entertainment: While betting should always be a fun and recreational activity, it’s important that you wager in a smart and strategic way. For example, while you may derive pleasure from backing your beloved Panthers, it’s important to identify the best value markets and shop around for the most competitive odds.

Utilizing Responsible Gaming Tools on NC Betting Sites

As part of their NCLC licensing agreements, North Carolina sportsbooks are required to offer a number of safer gambling tools. These include aforementioned deposit limits, which can be adjusted to reflect your bankroll and typical betting patterns as they evolve.

Licensed sites are also required to offer so-called time-outs. This allows you to cap individual betting sessions and manage the amount of time you spend betting online.

North Carolina sportsbooks are required to offer self-exclusion to customers too. This allows you to take an indefinite break from gambling and receiving sponsored messages, usually for between six months and five years. You can request a period of self-exclusion simply by contacting a sportsbook’s customer service team.

North Carolina Problem Gambling Resources & Helplines

In instances where you do start to gamble recklessly or outside of your means, you may need to seek help and advice from an independent organization. We’ve listed some of the most prominent NC problem gambling organizations below, along with their key contact information.

• NC Problem Gambling Helpline: 919-713-3233        
• North Carolina Lottery Commission Responsible Gaming page
• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): 1-800-522-4700
• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

North Carolina Sports Betting FAQs

When did online sports betting launch in North Carolina?

Sports betting HB 347 was passed in the NC Senate on June 14th, 2023. The market subsequently launched on March 11th, 2024, with eight sportsbooks now licensed and live in the state.

What is the legal age for sports betting in NC?

Currently, the legal age for sports betting in North Carolina is 21. The state law prohibits anyone younger than 21 from wagering on sporting events or horse races. However, NC residents aged 18 and over can participate in the state lottery.

Can I bet on sports online anywhere in North Carolina?

Yes, you can. To access NC sportsbooks, you’ll need to be within the state boundaries of North Carolina at the time you register or sign in to your account. Betting sites use geolocation software to verify your real-time location.

What are the best NC sports betting apps?

Each of our recommended NC sportsbooks offer an excellent mobile betting experience, either through native apps or mobile browsers. However, DraftKings arguably offers the most sophisticated and intuitive app, which boasts innovative features such as betting pools. The site’s iOS app has an average score of 4.8/5 from 842.2k reviews.

Can I bet on UNC and Duke games in North Carolina?

Yes, there are no restrictions when betting on college sports in North Carolina. This means that you can wager on prominent college teams like UNC and the Duke Blue Devils, who both excel in NCAA basketball. Currently, you can also place a range of prop bets when wagering on collegiate sports.

How many online sportsbooks are legal in North Carolina?

Eight sportsbooks are licensed and live in NC. Each of these North Carolina online sports betting sites launched together on March 11th, 2024 and have generated total revenues well in excess of $863 million. In total, the state of North Carolina is able to issue a maximum of 11 licenses at the time of writing.

Are my sports betting winnings taxed in North Carolina?

Yes, sports betting winnings are classed as taxable income in NC. This means that you’ll be required to pay a 4.25% personal income tax levy on all winnings. What’s more, your winnings will be subject to a federal tax rate of anywhere between 10% and 37%. So, it’s important that you declare your winnings as taxable income.