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North Carolina Sports Betting

Last updated: Oct 28, 2024

The door for online sports betting in North Carolina opened at midnight on March 11, 2024, marking a new era for wagering in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina sports bettors now have access to eight online platforms and three tribal casinos along with the potential for retail sportsbooks at pro venues. This recent growth is quickly turning North Carolina into a hub for legal sports betting.

In this article, we'll explore the eight major online betting sites, help you determine which one suits you best, explain how to sign up, outline the sports you can wager on, and highlight the NC sports betting promos available when signing up. We'll also cover the three retail sportsbooks located in tribal casinos, where you can place bets in person.

Best North Carolina Sports Betting Sites

1. Caesars Sportsbook

Link

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars promo: If you lose your first cash bet up to $1,000, you will get it back as a Bonus Bet. Promo Code: OC1000

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

Link

Bet $5, Get $200 if Your Bet Wins; new users make a $10+ deposit and win their first $5 bet to claim $200 in bonus bets.

No Code Needed

3. BetMGM

Link

Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win.

Promo Code: OCMAX1500

4. Bet365

Link

Choose between the First Bet Safety Net promo (up to $1,000 in bonus bets) or Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets.

Promo Code: "CHECK"

5. DraftKings

Link

Bet $5 and Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly plus a 20% Match Up to $1,000 plus a $50 Bonus Bet with a $5 Deposit. No Code Needed

6. ESPN BET Link

Claim up to $1,500 with a 200% Deposit Match up to $500 and a Bonus Bet Refund of up to $1,000 if your first bet loses.

No Code Needed

7. Fanatics Sportsbook Link

Up to $1,000 in bonus bets; wager at least $5 for five straight days to receive a matching bonus bet of up to $200 per day.

No Code Needed

8. Underdog Sportsbook Link

100% deposit match for new users up to $100 in bonus funds.

No Code Needed

Best Sportsbook Betting Sites in North Carolina

Now that North Carolina sports betting is legal, it's important to know where to begin. Several online platforms allow sports betting in North Carolina, including some of the top names in the industry. Whether you are new to sports betting or have been wagering on sports for years, choosing the right betting site is crucial. Learn more about eight of the top sports betting platforms that you can now use in North Carolina.

#1 Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina

Caesars Sportsbook has an ideal position in the North Carolina sports betting marketplace due to its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Caesars has two retail sportsbooks on tribal lands in western North Carolina, one at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and another at Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel in Murphy. Both have betting windows, kiosks, and apps and are two of only three places in the state where you can make a bet in person.

The odds at Caesars Sportsbook could be more competitive, and according to our expert on North Carolina sports betting apps, Sam Eaton, the product could be easier to use. Eaton gave it an overall rating of 4.2/5, customer promotions a 4/5, and app usability a 3/5.

The app can be used on the iOS and Android platforms and has some nice features like watch and bet live betting, Firebets micro betting, a "Favorites" tab, a Light/Dark mode, and the ability to change odds settings. The Apple App Store rates the Caesars Sportsbook 4.7 while the Google Play Store gives it a 4.3.

Still, the quick payout options (in one hour), $1,000 First Bet on Caesars promo, microbetting, Caesars Rewards loyalty program, ability wager on over 20 sports and leagues, props, live betting, futures, alternate lines, and the fact it has two of the three retail locations in the Tar Heel State give Caesars Sportsbook its high standing.

Sign up for the Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina app here.

#2 FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina

FanDuel Sportsbook came in a close second in the best North Carolina sportsbook race thanks in large part to its partnership with both the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the PGA Tour, two heavyweights in North Carolina professional sports.

Retail sportsbooks are permitted at eight professional sports venues in the state, including the home of the Panthers, Bank of America Stadium, and two golf courses, Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte and Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. Still, none of the eight venues have opened a retail sportsbook on their premises.

Our app expert at oddschecker ranked FanDuel as the best, giving it 5/5 across the board in the overall rating, customer promotions, and app usability categories. Like most apps, the app can be used on iOS and Android platforms. It has some nice features like 24/7 customer service, live betting and streaming, many banking options, nice specials and promos, and a variety of NFL and NBA betting specials.

The most downloaded app in North America, FanDuel rates 4.9 at the Apple App Store and 4.6 at the Google Play Store. The Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets for new users, odds boost, cash-out feature, Same Game Parlay feature, and no-sweat bets are many of its perks.

The payout speed at FanDuel is generally pretty good (as little as one hour) from online banking, debit card, Venmo, PayPal, and FanDuel Prepaid Play+ accounts, but some banks may take up to five business days to process a withdrawal.

You can sign up for the FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina app here.

#3 BetMGM North Carolina

BetMGM also ranks high on the list of North Carolina betting sites and partners with the Charlotte Motor Speedway, but the app leaves a lot to be desired, according to our expert. BetMGM has a great selection of betting options and sharp odds, and the $1,500 bonus bet welcome promo offer is fantastic.

The odds are great, but some people have issues with the usability of the app. If you need to contact BetMGM Customer Support, they have a 24/7 live chat feature located on the BetMGM Contact Page.

The BetMGM app can be used on the iOS and Android platforms, and it rates 4.8 at the Apple App Store and 4.3 at the Google Play Store. Our app expert gave the BetMGM app a weak 3.5/5 rating for usability, a decent 4.5 rating for all customer promotions, and an overall rating of 4/5.

Besides the MGM Rewards and nice sign-up bonus, the BetMGM app offers live betting and parlays and has a handy "Favorites" tab. Payout withdrawal speeds here depend on the method you choose with PayPal, Skrill, e-check, Play+, wire transfer, and mailed check options available.

You can sign up for the BetMGM North Carolina sportsbook app here.

#4 bet365 North Carolina

bet365 is a partner of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. While this company might not advertise as much as heavyweights DraftKings and FanDuel, the sharper bettors know about Euro-based bet365 and its wonderful betting menu, which includes exotics like Table Tennis, esports, Test cricket, and darts.

The bet365 app is available on iPhone and iPad and supports various European languages, including Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, German, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, and more. The bet365 app gets a 4.7 rating at the Apple App Store and a 4.6 rating at the Google Play Store.

With a deep menu, one-day payouts, and solid sign-up bonuses and payout promotions, the bet365 app is top-notch. One of the top NC online sportsbooks, bet365 offers some nice payout promos, like a payout if you have a straight bet on an NBA team and they ever lead by 20 points. That is a creative and user-friendly sportsbook offering.

Our app expert gave the bet365 app a 4/5 in app usability, 5/5 in customer promos, and a 5/5 overall rating. With features like a Same Game parlay boost and two sign-up offers for new users – the First Bet Safety Net promo (up to $1,000 in bonus bets) and the Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets – this is one of the best online betting North Carolina sites.

You can sign up for the NC bet365 app here.

#5 DraftKings North Carolina

Being partnered with NASCAR is great for DraftKings and online betting North Carolina fans. With up to $1,350 in offers for new users, opening up an account here is very enticing.

Toss in its extensive betting menu and customer promotions like odds boosts, No-Sweat Same Game parlays, Dynasty Rewards, Missions, and Progressive Parlays, and it's no wonder this operator is always in the top two in market share.

A responsive DraftKings NC app makes finding these offerings easy for users, and our expert gave the product a 4/5 for app useability, a perfect 5/5 for customer promotions, and a 4.5/5 overall rating. DraftKings gets a 4.7 rating at the Apple App Store and 4.6 at the Google Play Store.

You can sign up for the DraftKings Sportsbook app in North Carolina here.

#6 ESPN BET Sportsbook North Carolina

The North Carolina online betting marketplace also features ESPN BET, a product that should gradually get better over time. ESPN BET is partnered with the Quail Hollow Club in the Tar Heel State, a golf facility located in Charlotte.

With a two-part sign-up bonus of up to $1,500 with a 200% Deposit Match of up to $500 and a Bonus Bet Refund of up to $1,000, if your first bet should lose, ESPN BET may be the perfect North Carolina betting option for you.

Our app expert gave the ESPN BET app 3/5 for app usability, 3.5/5 for all customer promotions, and a 4/5 overall rating. With over 1 million downloads, this app ranked as the third-largest NC sports betting app.

The ESPN BET app has a 4.8 rating at the Apple App Store and 4.2 at the Google Play Store and can be used on the iOS (download size 204.6 MB) and Android platforms, and with 30+ sports that can be wagered on, it's among the deepest on the market.

You can read about the ESPN BET Sportsbook North Carolina app here.

#7 Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina

Fanatics Sportsbook is still a growing North Carolina betting operator, and its partnership with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes should help.

The Fanatics Sportsbook app has a 4.7 rating at the Apple App Store and 4.4 at the Google Play Store and can be used on the iOS and Android platforms. Our app guy rated the Fanatics Sportsbook app 3/5 for app usability, 4/5 for all customer promotions, and 4.2/5 in its overall rating.

With the sign-up promo of up to $1,000 in bonus bets for new users for betting five straight days, cool features like the aforementioned FanCash, and a great live-streaming option for the NFL bettors, Fanatics Sportsbook should flourish in the Tar Heel State.

You can sign up for the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina app using this link.

#8 Underdog Sportsbook North Carolina

Underdog Sportsbook has partnered with the Sedgefield Country Club, the beautiful golf course in Greensboro, which plays host to the Wyndham Championship.

The Underdog Sportsbook app holds a 4.8 rating at the Apple App Store and 3.8 at the Google Play Store, and this online North Carolina sportsbook offers a 100% Deposit Match for new users, giving you up to $100 in bonus funds when you make your first deposit.

You can download the Underdog Sportsbook North Carolina app by using this link.

Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?

Both online and in-person sports betting became legal in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, and is overseen by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. The overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act came in 2018 and opened the way for legalized sports gambling throughout the U.S.

The eight venues that are licensed betting centers are Bank of America Stadium (NFL Panthers), Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, PNC Arena (NHL Hurricanes), Quail Hollow Club, Sedgefield Country Club, Spectrum Center (NBA Hornets), and WakeMed Soccer Park.

There are currently three retail sportsbooks in North Carolina: the two aforementioned Caesars Sportsbook locations at Harrah's Cherokee Resort in Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel in Murphy, along with the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, which has over 30 kiosks available for sports bettors 24 hours a day for this sports-happy state.

With the passage of HB 347 in June of 2023, the state of North Carolina legalized online betting, and brick-and-mortar sports betting suddenly became a reality in the Tar Heel State, eight months later, in March of 2024, all eight licensed operators launched.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Sportsbooks in North Carolina?

Legal Age

Sports bettors in North Carolina must be at least 21 years of age, and sportsbooks in the state must confirm the age and identity of the bettor when he or she signs up. In most of the rest of the United States, users need to be at least 21 years old as well. However, there are four states (Kentucky, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming) and Washington, DC, where the minimum age is just 18.

Online Betting

Sports gamblers making online wagers through computers, personal devices, or via apps on a smartphone must be located within the state's borders. The eight NC online sportsbooks will use geolocation technology to make sure bets are placed within those physical parameters.

Out-of-State Residents

You don't have to be a resident of North Carolina to place a sports wager in the Tar Heel State, but you must be at least 21 and make your bet(s) within the state.

Tax Requirements

Sports gamblers in North Carolina are required to pay taxes on their winnings. Winnings of $599 or less are expected to be self-reported; if wins for a sports gambler in North Carolina should total over $600, the taxpayer will then receive a W-2G, which lets the IRS know about their gambling activities.

On top of this responsibility on the federal level, sports bettors in North Carolina are also expected to pay taxes on their gambling income at the rate of 4.5%, regardless of that person's income level.

North Carolina gamblers are not allowed to count their losses as itemized deductions. If a bettor wins $10,000 and loses $10,000 and is theoretically even after all that sports betting action, the taxpayer will still be responsible for $450 in taxes ($10,000 in wins at a 4.5% taxable rate).

Retail Sportsbooks

  • Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee (828) 497-7777
  • Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino, 777 Casino Parkway, Murphy (828) 422-7777
  • Catawba Two Kings Casino, 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain (704) 750-7777

How to Bet in North Carolina

Setting up an online betting account in North Carolina is relatively easy and is pretty much the same for all sportsbooks in the state. In the registration process, this is the personal information you will need to provide:

  • First and last name
  • Address
  • Email
  • Telephone number
  • The last four digits of your SSN

Here are the basic steps to follow when setting up your new account in North Carolina

  1. Choose the sportsbook or sportsbooks that best fit your needs. Recreational sports bettors will likely have different priorities than the more serious gamblers, who will want to compare numbers and shop around for the best line. For now, you have Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, ESPN BET, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Underdog Sportsbook to choose from.
  2. Do your homework and find the best sign-up promotion or promotions for new users available on the sportsbook and take advantage of it. But make sure you understand the specific promo before you start betting.
  3. Begin the registration. On most platforms, you will have to create a username and password.
  4. Next, you will need to verify your email using a special link the sportsbook sends to you.
  5. Then, access your account. At this point, you can make a deposit, claim bonuses, and make your wagers. Deposits are usually processed immediately while withdrawals can take 24 to 72 hours (or more), depending on the operator. Some of the ways to fund (and get payouts from) your sports betting account are Apple Pay, credit and debit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, online banking, PayNearMe, Play+ Card, Skrill, Venmo, VIP Preferred e-check, and wire transfers.
  6. Verify your identity. To receive a payout or to cash out your account, you will need to verify your account ownership, which can be done by sending private documents to the North Carolina sportsbook operator.

What Can I Bet on in North Carolina?

Sports gamblers in the Tar Heel State can wager on all major American sports, along with several other options, including international sports.

North Carolina sports betting sites that include the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, WNBA, MLS, NASCAR, NCAA Football, and NCAA Basketball are the most popular.

You can also bet on events like horse racing, international soccer, a number of women's sports, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, F1, DFS, and esports. One thing you cannot bet on at North Carolina betting sites – or any other state – are any political elections as federal law prohibits booking wagers on politics.

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