A general view of betting odds on the video board at the Westgate SuperBook sports book on Aug. 4, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
North Carolina sports betting has been live since March 11, 2024, when the North Carolina State Lottery Commission licensed its first online operators. Bettors in the state can now choose from seven legal sportsbook apps.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated. This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.
Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
Sports betting is legal in North Carolina for anyone over the age of 21 within the state boundaries. You can bet both online or via retail locations as of March 11, 2024.
Best North Carolina Sportsbooks and Betting Apps
Below is a composite list of the sports betting apps in North Carolina. This list should be used as a guide for choosing which sportsbook you want to try or which is best for you. Consider things like welcome offers, rewards, and ease of use.
FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina
- FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina provides lines on almost any market or game worldwide.
- The bet building tool is one of the easiest to use and updates odds in real time.
- FanDuel Sportsbook has a wide variety of ways to accept funding, including online banking, or e-wallets like PayPal and Venmo.
- The customer service chat is one of the easiest to use and reach a representative.
- Understanding the plays and payouts can be difficult at times in different markets, so be careful to read all results prior to placing a wager.
BetMGM Sportsbook North Carolina
- BetMGM is arguably one of the best to use for betting on live events.
- The BetMGM app is easy to navigate and provides users with a simple interface that is enjoyable to use.
- BetMGM Sportsbook North Carolina attracts big bettors with a great offer of up to $1,000 as a deposit match bonus
- Withdrawing funds is simple, easy, and straightforward, with funds hitting your account within 24-48 hours.
- There can be some issues with verification, so be sure to get verified well in advance of whatever game you’re looking to wager on.
bet365 Sportsbook North Carolina
- bet365 is one of the better apps for betting on soccer as they have all the games you could look for throughout the world.
- If you’re looking to bet on live games, the interface on bet365 is one of the better apps to use.
- Early cash out options are available on some bets and give you a chance to win your wager before the game goes final.
- Customer service for bet365 faces the brunt of criticism, with some people saying they aren’t helpful and have issues accessing their accounts.
Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina
- Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina offers users FanCash, which can be used to purchase memorabilia or apparel.
- The loading speed for Fanatics Sportbook is very fast and allows you to see odds and lines quickly.
- There is typically more than one offer available for new users to try Fanatics Sportsbook.
- The app interface is one of the more fun to use and can be customized with your favorite teams.
- There can be difficulties getting ahold of customer service and getting certain issues resolved.
theScore Bet North Carolina
- theScore Bet North Carolina might be the best out there in terms of player prop offers.
- It is quick and simple to set up funding for your account with a multitude of options for funding.
- There are competitive lines on sides, totals, and spreads for all major sports.
- Their welcome offer is one of the more competitive available and helps you have some funding in your account to experience the app.
- The live betting interface isn’t quite as enjoyable for use as the standard pre-game betting option.
North Carolina Sportsbook Welcome Offers
North Carolina sportsbooks offer new users a few different types of welcome offers, including deposit matches, bonus bets, and bet-and-get options. Bonus bets and funds are not the same as cash, but can be used to place wagers within the app. Bet-and-get offers typically have you fund your account, place a wager, and receive a set amount of bonus funds. The deposit matches give you the same amount or a fraction of the amount that you use to fund your account. You should know that bonus bets do expire.
How to Sign Up for a Sportsbook in North Carolina
- Download the North Carolina sportsbook of your choice.
- Enter your personal information.
- Go through account verification and location checks.
- Deposit funds into your account.
- Claim the welcome offer. Note: This step may be completed during the sign-up process.
- Place your first wager. (You must be within the state limits to wager, and note that being by the border of a state could fail the geolocation check).
North Carolina Sports Betting Laws and Timeline
North Carolina sports betting first started gaining traction around 2019 when tribal lands accepted sports betting. In March 2021, in-person bets were allowed. On June 14th, 2023, House Bill 347 was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper. March 11th 2024, saw mobile and online sports betting become live.
Teams and Markets to Bet On in North Carolina
Looking to bet on North Carolina professional sports teams? There is plenty to choose from, mostly in the Charlotte area. The Panthers are a popular football team. The Charlotte Hornets represent the city in the NBA. There is no baseball team, but they do have the Hurricanes in the NHL, and Charlotte FC for those into soccer. Of course, there are also college teams like Duke and North Carolina that command a lot of betting and sporting interest.
College Sports Betting Rules in North Carolina
You can bet legally on college sports in North Carolina. This includes options on spreads, totals, and sides. Unlike other states, you can bet on player props in North Carolina for college athletes.
Retail Sportsbooks in North Carolina
There are currently three retail sportsbook locations in North Carolina. All three are located inside casinos. You can go to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, or Catawaba Two Kings Casino.
Licensed Retail Locations:
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Caesars Sportsbook) – Cherokee
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel (Caesars Sportsbook) – Murphy
Catawba Two Kings Casino (Two Kings Sportsbook) – Kings Mountain
Responsible Gambling Resources in North Carolina
- 1-800-GAMBLER
- 1-800-MY-RESET
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
- Gam-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous
- North Carolina Problem Gambling Program
- 877-718-5543
- Text “morethanagamenc” to 53342
North Carolina Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?
Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina. You need to be 21 years old and physically inside the state at the time of the wager with a registered account.
What is the best sportsbook in North Carolina?
The best sportsbook in North Carolina is dependent on what you’re looking for. If you want a big welcome bonus, BetMGM might be considered best. There is no limit to the number of sportsbooks you can use, so try them all.
How old do you have to be to bet in North Carolina?
You must be 21 years old to bet on sports in North Carolina.
Can you bet on college sports in North Carolina?
Yes. You can bet on sides, totals, and spreads for college games in North Carolina. You can also bet on player props in North Carolina.
Do you have to live in North Carolina to bet there?
No, you do not need to live in North Carolina to bet there; you only have to be physically located in the state to wager there.
How many sportsbooks are legal in North Carolina?
There are currently seven legal sportsbooks in North Carolina.
Can you bet on sports in North Carolina without an app?
Yes, there are three retail sportsbook locations that are available for you to wager at in person.