Exciting online gambling options are available in North Carolina, even with some local restrictions. This comprehensive guide provides recommendations for top-rated offshore online casinos. You can also explore the rich history of gaming in the Tar Heel State, discover hidden gems among land-based casinos, and gain valuable insights into navigating North Carolina’s gambling landscape.
Best Online Casinos Available in North Carolina
We’ve reviewed a wide range of international gambling sites, offering practical recommendations about the best casinos for players in North Carolina. We also assigned each casino a category based on its standout features, enabling you to easily browse online casinos based on the features that matter most to you.
DuckyLuck — Best Overall Online Casino for North Carolinians. Try one of DuckyLuck’s 500+ games, including slots, table games, blackjack, and video poker. It also offers a lucrative rewards system, free daily spins, and a 500% welcome bonus for new players.
Bovada — Top Live Dealer Online Casino. Choose from an array of live table games that include blackjack, poker, baccarat, and super 6 tables. Find out why this online casino is ideal for North Carolina gamblers looking for online live dealers.
SlotsandCasino — Best Online Slots for North Carolina Players. Play at SlotsandCasino today and receive a 300% welcome bonus for new players, as well as 100 free spins.
El Royale — Best Welcome Bonus for New North Carolina Players. Start playing at El Royale and enjoy one of the biggest welcome bonuses available. El Royale matches your first deposit up to $2,400, up to $2,600 for your second and third deposits, and $2,000 for your fourth and fifth deposits; helping new players hit the ground running with the potential for over $11,000 in free credits.
Red Dog — Top Online Table Games for North Carolinians. Look no further than Red Dog Casino for a top selection of table games. This online casino offers more than 50 table games that encompass multiple versions of craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, and more.
Best Overall Casino Online — DuckyLuck features over 500 real-money slots, as well as video poker, blackjack, and table games. It also has a live casino lobby with real-world dealers offering live games of roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Don’t be intimidated by the variety of games either, as DuckyLuck offers easy-to-understand instructions for every game. Players can deposit funds with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, and DuckyLuck also accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. New players can take advantage of a 500% welcome bonus, and a 600% match bonus on their first crypto deposit as well. All of DuckyLuck’s games are fully optimized for mobile use and compatible with any device.
Casino Games:
Slots, Roulette, Video Poker+2 more
Payment Options:
Discover, Mastercard, Visa+5 more
Pros
- 500% matching for your first deposit over $25 (for up to $2,500 in free money), as well as 150 free spins on select games
- Four rewards tiers featuring daily cashback, balance reloading bonuses, daily free spins, and more
- Over 400 slots games, plus live-dealer roulette, blackjack, and baccarat
- Mobile-optimized casino that’s compatible with any device
Cons
- No sportsbook
- $2,000 deposit is required for the second rewards tier, which could put off some casual players
Top Live Dealer Online Casino — Gamblers in NC can choose from more than 30 of Bovada’s live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, super 6, and poker tables; The live casino also features a range of betting tiers to suit your budget, with wagers ranging from $1 per hand all the way up to $50,000 per hand. Many tables feature unlimited seating as well. Unlike static online casino games, live dealer games enable you to interact with a real-life human dealer, and the live chat option allows you to chat with other players at the table as well. This also brings transparency to online gambling, as players can watch the dealer draw and distribute cards in real time.
Casino Games:
Slots, Roulette, Video Poker+4 more
Payment Options:
American Express, Mastercard, Visa+7 more
Pros
- Various blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and super 6 tables, many of which offer unlimited seating
- Bets ranging from $1–$50,000
- Helpful guides to various games, including blackjack and roulette
- Live chat with other players
Cons
- Slow withdrawal times, particularly with non-cryptocurrency withdrawals
- English-only live dealers
Best Online Slots for North Carolina Players — SlotsandCasino has one of the most fully stocked online slot casinos for North Carolinians today, offering players over 500 games from top providers including Rival, Betsoft, and Saucify. All of SlotsandCasino’s games are optimized for mobile support as well. The casino provides ample opportunities for players to earn free spins as well. It has a lucrative 300% deposit matching welcome bonus that also offers 100 free spins (10 free spins per day for 10 days), and 150 free spins (15 free spins per day for 10 days) on your first cryptocurrency deposit. SlotsandCasino also provides free spins when players deposit a minimum amount of cryptocurrency.
Casino Games:
Slots, Roulette, Video Poker+4 more
Payment Options:
Bitcoin, Check By Mail, Wire Transfer+1 more
Pros
- More than 500 mobile-friendly games
- 100 free spins for new players, on top of a 300% welcome bonus
- Free spins for every crypto deposit above $25
- Weekly draws for $500 with $25 deposit
Cons
- Accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin, but players can only withdraw in Bitcoin
- Some games feature lower-quality graphics
Best Welcome Bonus for New North Carolina Players — El Royale offers new players lucrative deposit matches on their first five deposits, positioning players to take advantage of up to a whopping $14,000 in free credits. Your first deposit at El Royale can afford you up to $2,400 in free money, $2,600 for your second and third deposits, and $2,000 for your fourth and fifth deposits. The terms and conditions for North Carolinian gamblers to claim the welcome bonuses.
Casino Games:
Slots, Roulette, Video Poker+2 more
Payment Options:
Mastercard, Visa, Bitcoin+4 more
Pros
- Up to five rounds of deposit matching for over $14,000 in free credits
- Deposit bonuses can be used on a wide variety of games, including slots, blackjack, and keno
- 24/7 live chat and phone support
Cons
- $2,500 maximum withdrawal per transaction
- Somewhat unintuitive website
Leading Online Table Games Casino for North Carolinians — Red Dog’s table game options are second to none. They offer players more than 50 table games that include craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, three-card rummy, and hi-lo; as well as alternative versions to many of these games. There are various live table games as well, allowing players to remotely try their luck with real-world dealers. Included among Red Dog’s live-dealer offerings are blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and super 6. And with live-dealer bets ranging from $1–$13,000 per hand, there are games that accommodate nearly every gambling budget. On top of Red Dog’s table game offerings, the online casino contains slots, video poker, jackpots, instant-win scratch cards, and specialty games including bingo, keno, and war.
Casino Games:
Slots, Roulette, Video Poker+3 more
Payment Options:
Pros
- Up to five rounds of deposit matching for over $14,000 in free credits
- Deposit bonuses can be used on a wide variety of games, including slots, blackjack, and keno
- 24/7 live chat and phone support
Cons
- $2,500 maximum withdrawal per transaction
- Somewhat unintuitive website
Comparing Online Gambling Sites Available in North Carolina
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 (Review) | 4.8 (Review) | 4.9 (Review) | 4.0 (Review) |
| Established | 2020 | 2023 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Restricted States | KY, NJ, WA | CT, DE, MI, NJ, PA, WV | None | None |
| Specialty | Site Graphics | Live Dealer | Free Spins | Slots |
| Bonus | $7,500 | $2,500 | $12,500 | $12,250 |
| Payout Speed | 1-2 Days Max | 1-2 Days Max | 1-2 Days Max | 1-2 Days Max |
| Website | Visit DuckyLuck Casino | Visit SlotsandCasino | Visit El Royale Casino | Visit Red Dog Casino |
How We Rank Online Casinos in North Carolina
Best US Casino experts review each casino that we recommend in comprehensive detail, giving players in North Carolina first-hand information about the pros and cons of each one. Please note that the factors we rank may not always align with factors that the end-user may consider for themselves.
Our internal casino assessments are based on six key factors.
Safety & Security
We look out for appropriate licensing, regulation, and gambling safeguards. That is why we help protect North Carolinians as they gamble online by highlighting security features that include identity verification, secure private connections, and the latest data encryption technologies.
Game Variety & Quality
Our experts rate the variety of games offered at online casinos, including slots, video poker, sports betting, and table games. While online casinos that offer a wide range of games are generally rated well, we also realize that some online casinos specialize in only one or two games; these specialty casinos are not penalized for a lack of variety.
Bonuses & Promotions
Many online casinos provide enticing welcome bonuses to new players, including deposit matching and free spins to help increase their gambling budgets. Best US Casino experts take it a step further, however, reporting on daily/weekly/monthly promotions, cashback bonuses, rewards programs, and more.
Payment Options
The top online casinos offer various secure deposit and withdrawal options, including major credit cards, bank transfers, and support for widely used cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Customer Support
North Carolina should feel safe at the online casino they’re playing at. That is why we rate the customer support of each casino according to metrics such as responsiveness, availability, and a general understanding of the customer’s perspective. We also look at how players can contact the casino’s customer support team, including email, phone, live chat, and self-service help when applicable.
UI & Mobile Experience
An increasing number of players are choosing to play online casino games from their mobile phones, which is why we prioritize casinos with a seamless mobile experience; both for browser-based games that don’t require additional downloads, and dedicated casino applications that are downloaded directly to your phone or tablet.
Is Gambling Legal in NC?
Gambling is fully legal in NC within designated tribal casinos, and the state’s official lottery tickets are available at over 7,000 locations in the Tar Heel State as well, including a wide range of scratch-off cards. There are also many offshore casino operators that allow North Carolinian to gamble online playing games that might not be available to them at NC’s in-person casinos.
Non-profit organizations in North Carolina can hold bingo games and raffles, as long as the offered prize’s value does not exceed $10. The North Carolina State Lottery’s website also features a selection of instant-play video slots and scratch-off games as well.
North Carolina Gambling Laws and Regulations
Please refer to the following links for more detailed information about North Carolina’s gambling laws and regulations.
Are Online Casinos Available in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina’s State Lottery website offers a limited selection of online slots and lottery games. Offshore online casinos with more gaming choices and live dealer options are also accessible to players in NC. These are the recommendations you’ll find below.
Our Recommended Online Casino for North Carolina
Is Online Poker Available in North Carolina?
Players in North Carolina can use international online casinos to play an array of real money poker games, including live table poker and various online poker tournaments.
Our Suggested Online Casino for NC Gamblers to Play Poker
Are Online Sportsbooks Available in North Carolina?
Offshore sportsbooks are available to sports bettors in North Carolina. These sportsbooks offer enticing wagers on a wide range of sports such as the NFL, NBA, College Football, and combat sports, including the UFC and boxing. Many offshore sportsbooks accept bets on popular international sports as well, such as cricket, rugby, darts, and snooker.
It’s also worth mentioning that the NC legislature has legalized online sports betting. The law went into effect on January 8th, 2024, and the state has six months from that date to implement a viable sports betting infrastructure.
Our Recommended Online Sportsbook for North Carolina Players
Are Online Racebooks Available in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolinian gamblers can place wagers on a wide-range of horse races online through international racebooks. Despite the fact that there aren’t any state-regulated racebooks available as of this writing, players can still go online to bet on thoroughbred racing, fixed odd races, and harness races, among other.
Our Recommended Online Racebook for North Carolina Gamblers
Land-Based Gambling in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of 29 states that allow First Nations to operate casinos on tribal lands, offering three land-based tribal casinos to NC players.
North Carolina Tribal Casinos & Poker Rooms
North Carolina’s tribal casinos are regulated and made legal by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, an agreement between states and federally recognized First Nations tribes.
| NAME | COUNTY | ADDRESS | WHAT YOU’LL FIND THERE |
|---|---|---|---|
Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee | Swain/Jackson counties | 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
|
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Poker Room — Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee | Swain/Jackson counties | 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
|
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino | Cherokee County | 777 Casino Dr, Murphy, NC 28906 |
|
Catawba Two Kings Casino | Cleveland/Gatson counties | 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 |
|
Sportsbooks
North Carolina residents and visitors can wager on sporting events at three in-person locations:
| SPORTBOOK | COUNTY | ADDRESS | WHAT YOU’LL FIND THERE |
|---|---|---|---|
Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee | Swain/Jackson counties | 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
|
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino | Cherokee County | 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 |
|
Catawba Two Kings Casino | Cleveland/Gatson counties | 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 |
|
Horse Racetracks & Racinos
Pinehurst Harness Track is North Carolina’s only dedicated horse racing ground. The track has been in operation since 1915 and is the state’s oldest equine sports facility.
| HORSE RACING TRACK | ADDRESS | RACING SEASON | POPULAR BETTING EVENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
Pinehurst Harness Track | 200 Beulah Hill Road South Pinehurst, NC 28374 | Spring |
|
Other Ways to Gamble in North Carolina
North Carolina offers additional ways for residents and visitors to gamble. The NC State Education Lottery sells tickets at over 7,000 locations throughout the state, and you can purchase tickets online as well. North Carolina also allows charitable games such as bingo and raffles. Social casinos are another option for North Carolinians that want to play casino games without risking actual money.
State Education Lottery
The North Carolina State Education Lottery is a state-run lottery that allocates proceeds to various education-related initiatives throughout the state. It features popular games such as Powerball, Mega Millions, scratch-offs, keno, and more. The lottery accepts both in-person and online entries.
Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Raffles, Etc.)
Registered charitable organizations can hold bingo games no more than twice a week. The games must be at least 48 hours apart and cannot run more than five hours per session. North Carolina bingo prizes have a limit of $500 per game, and each session’s winnings must not exceed $1,500; unless it is the only bingo session held that week, in which case the session’s winnings must not exceed $2,500.
Non-profit organizations in North Carolina can hold up to four raffles per year. Single raffle winnings are capped at $125,000, and the total value of raffle prizes offered by the organization cannot exceed $250,000 in a single calendar year.
Social & Sweepstakes Casinos
Social casinos offer an alternative to traditional online casinos, as social casinos enable players to purchase, gamble with in-house currencies without risking any real-world money. Some of the most popular social casinos for North Carolinians include High 5 Casino, Pulsz, WOW Vegas, LuckyLand Slots, and Chumba Casino.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games like DraftKings and FanDuel occupy a legal gray area in North Carolina. Technically DFS games are not regulated; however, the North Carolina Legislature has legalized DFS games. While these DFS games are legal by law, the specifics of how DFS sites will be allowed to operate in North Carolina are yet to be seen.
Most Popular Casino Games in North Carolina
North Carolina residents and visitors can gamble at one of the state’s three in-person casinos, as well as at an array of internationally regulated online casinos. The economic impact of the Tar Heel state’s three in-state casinos was approximately $1.76 billion in 2023, with more than $225 million in taxable dollars and tribal revenue sharing alone. Here are the casino games that North Carolinians enjoy the most.
Slots
Over the last five years, North Carolinians searched for slots more than any other online game, according to Google Trends. This suggests that slots are some of the most popular casino games in North Carolina, for both online and in-person players.
Lottery and Scratch-Offs
North Carolina ranked 11th out of 50 states in lottery sales in 2022; revealing that while gambling might be more restricted in NC than in other places, the widely available North Carolina Education Lottery is enjoyed by many residents throughout the state.
Blackjack
All three of NC’s in-state casinos offer blackjack, with both human and electronic dealers. The North Carolina State Lottery also offers a quick-play blackjack game, providing even more North Carolinians with the opportunity to play blackjack.
Poker
A 2021 study projected that North Carolina could see as much as $2.5 billion in video poker revenue statewide over the ensuing five years, demonstrating the game’s popularity within the Tar Heel State. There is even an official World Series of Poker room located at Harrah’s Cherokee casino.
Sports Betting
The Spectrum Gaming Group in 2020 estimated that unregulated sports betting generated between $193 million and $237 million per year, or approximately 16% of the state’s gross gaming revenue. And with regulated sports betting on the horizon for North Carolinians, more NC gaming revenue will likely come from online and in-person sports betting in the near future.
Roulette
North Carolinians enjoy playing roulette at all three of their in-state casinos, as well as various online international casinos. Customers report that the Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee has four to five roulette wheels alone, attesting to the game’s popularity in North Carolina.
History of NC Gambling Laws
Here is a timeline of North Carolina’s gambling history, beginning with the most recent events:
January 2024
Online sports betting is legal as of January 8th, 2024. Since this is such a recent development, the state has not implemented a structure for online sportsbooks as of this writing. That said, the state has six months from January 8th, 2024 to roll out regulated sports betting online.
June 2023
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signs HB 347, officially legalizing sports betting in the state. The law allows for both in-person and online sports wagering, enabling residents and visitors to bet on NFL football, college football, combat sports, and more. The law went into effect on January 8, 2024.
May 2021
The first sports retail sportsbooks open at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River casinos, respectively.
July 2019
North Carolina Senate Bill 154 legalizes in-person sports betting at tribal casinos.
May 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court deems the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) as unconstitutional, allowing the majority of states to create their own sports betting laws and regulations.
September 2015
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino opens in Murphy, NC.
August 2005
The North Carolina Education Lottery is founded. Enabled by The State Lottery Act, all proceeds from the North Carolina Education Lottery are allocated to paying teacher salaries, funding transportation and construction costs, and a wide range of additional education-related initiatives.
November 1997
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino opens in Cherokee, NC.
c. 1939
Slot machines are banned.
c. 1834
Lotteries are banned.
c. 1799
Card games for money are banned in taverns.
c. 1791
Public gaming tables are banned.
c. 1764
Personal winnings in games of chance are limited to five shillings a day.
The Future of North Carolina Online Gambling
Online sportsbooks were legalized in North Carolina on January 8th, 2024, and the state has six months from that date to implement a regulated sports betting structure. The law allows eight in-person and 12 designated online sportsbooks to operate throughout the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina House Bill 347 was passed on June 14, 2023, allowing eight in-person and 12 online sportsbooks to operate throughout the Tar Heel state. The bill also enables in-person sports wagering. Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will be available in and near eight of the state’s major sports venues, including the respective homes of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Research from the North Carolina General Assembly predicts that the state could see more than $1 billion in revenue over the next five years, including approximately $75 million in revenue from tax and licensing fees in 2024-2025 alone.
NC Online Casino Registration Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, deposit money, and begin playing at online casinos:
1
Select a casino
Research available online casinos to determine which ones suit your playing style, budget, and payment/withdrawal options.
2
Create an account
Once you have chosen an online casino, look for “sign up” or “register” buttons to set up an account. You will then fill in your name, email address, and other information required, as well as choose a username, set up a secure password, and verify the accuracy of all information provided.
3
Verify account
Many online casinos require players to verify their identities, and may ask you to upload a copy of your driver’s license, proof of address, or other identity-verifying documents; this also helps keep scammers and cheaters out of online casinos.
4
Learn the casino’s welcome bonuses and deposit options
Online casinos frequently feature welcome bonuses for new players, so keep an eye out for offers that include extra spins, bonus points, and deposit matching. It is also common for online casinos to give additional playing credits when depositing cryptocurrency, so be sure to note which deposit options will be most beneficial to you.
5
Withdrawal options
Some casinos have withdrawal processing times as long as 15 days, though the majority of them allow you to withdraw money within a day or two. Be sure to pay attention to your selected payout method as well, as some methods have lower fees and quicker withdrawal times than others. Look for casinos that have reasonable withdrawal times to minimize how long it takes to collect your winnings.
Online Gambling in North Carolina — Key Takeaways
North Carolina gamblers have ample opportunity to gamble online, both through state-sanctioned and offshore operators. This page provides high-quality recommendations for online casinos with various specialties, including the best poker site, best welcome bonus, and best overall casino.
We highlighted the history and future of NC gambling laws, provided information on where to gamble online, and even said how you can sign up for a new account at international casinos online. We also shared both responsible gaming resources.
Whether you’re looking for online casino recommendations or learning more about North Carolina’s gambling landscape, Best US Casinos has you covered.
Gambling Safely & Responsibly in North Carolina
A 2022 East Carolina University study states that North Carolina has a problem gambling rate of 5.5%, compared to the U.S. average 1%—8%. Gambling is a serious addiction, and all players should prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved.
You can follow these guidelines to help minimize the adverse effects of gambling:
You’re spending money, not gambling it — It’s a good idea to allocate, and strictly adhere to, a pre-determined gambling budget. Once your budget has run out, stop playing.
Only gamble for fun — You may have a gambling concern if you gamble to pay bills, wipe out debt, or for any other reason other than strict entertainment.
Expect to lose — While many games of chance have potentially lucrative rewards, the truth is that players should expect to lose many more games than they win. That’s not to say that gamblers never win, but it’s best to manage expectations about how often one will win while gambling.
North Carolina Responsible Gambling Resources
North Carolina Problem Gambling Program
- Website—https://morethanagame.nc.gov
Gamblers’ Anonymous — North Carolina Chapter
National Responsible Gambling Resources
Gamblers’ Anonymous: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
National Council on Problem Gambling: http://www.ncpgambling.org
National Problem Gambling Helpline Network
- Website — https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Phone — 1-800-522-4700
Latest News
Read All
Sources
Source(s):
North Carolina sports betting update
North Carolina sports betting overview
North Carolina gambling industry overview
Supreme Court strikes down PASPA law
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River opens
North Carolina gambling overview
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
North Carolina General Assembly Chapter 18C (State lottery)
North Carolina Subchapter XI, Article 37 (lotteries, gambling, bingo, and raffles)
Governor Cooper signs sports wagering law
North Carolina Education Lottery
North Carolina Education Lottery retail locations
University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Government