North Carolina Betting Sites

Top Betting Sites in North Carolina for 2024

How We Review and Rate NC Sportsbooks

Choosing a sportsbook can be daunting, especially if you are completely new to online betting. However, thanks to the meticulous reviewing process our experts conduct, you can feel at ease with choosing from our list of suggestions. Here are the key factors on which the top North Carolina sports betting sites are evaluated:

• User feedback and credibility: We don’t rely only on what we see on the website. We dig a bit deeper and find various forums and real user comments where registered punters can express their concerns about sportsbooks. Only sites with a proven track record will find themselves on our lists.
• Licenses and security: The best sports betting sites employ vigorous security measures to protect users from possible cyberattacks. Valid SSL certificates and a license from the North Carolina Lottery Commission are a must in our experts’ eyes.
• Bonuses and promotions: Once we establish that the sportsbook is reliable, we check all its specifications—most notably, the available bonuses. It is not a stretch to say that the ongoing bonuses and promotions list can determine the sportsbook’s preferability. We evaluate the quantity and the quality of offerings for both new and existing users, along with their terms to determine if they are fair.
• Sports and betting markets: Most bettors value versatility, so we look for sportsbooks with as many unique sporting events as possible to cater to diverse interests. Before reaching the final verdict, we also examine the pre-match and live betting options.

How Sports Betting Became Legal in North Carolina

For years, the question—Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?—returned with negative answers, but that is no longer true. Sports betting in North Carolina was officially regulated in 2024, enabled by the legislation signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper. This move followed the revocation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, which paved the way for states to legalize sports betting. The new law facilitated the expansion of the online betting scene by allowing some big names in the industry to enter the North Carolina market. The sports betting bill was signed at Spectrum Center, the venue for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, serving as a testament to North Carolinians’ enthusiasm for the decision to legalize sports betting. With this law, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission can issue up to 12 licenses to interested entities that will offer online and retail sports betting to NC punters. Here are the main features of the new regulation:

• Bettors can register at North Carolina online sportsbooks via mobile or any other device.
• This law allows punters to wager on all professional, college, and amateur sports, although youth sports are excluded.
• Physical sportsbooks are only allowed near venues where professional teams from NC play.
• The tax on sports betting companies in the state is 18%.
• North Carolina expects to accumulate more than $100 million in annual sports betting revenue by 2027 through the sports betting industry.
• To participate in legal online sports betting in North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old.
• According to the NC sports betting bill, $2 million from the tax revenue will be used yearly to help people with gambling addiction, and $1 million will be used to support youth sports.
• The revenue will also be used to fund big events in NC and support athletic programs in all schools.

North Carolina Betting Tax Information

In North Carolina, a flat tax rate of 4.75% applies to all taxable income, including gambling winnings. If you have secured your first winnings on a legal sports betting platform, it is essential to understand that these earnings are subject to taxation. You will need to report and pay taxes on your winnings to comply with state regulations.

NC Sports Betting Bonuses and Promotions

North Carolina online sports betting sites employ bonuses and promotions as their main marketing tools to help them expand their presence and attract more people to register. Bonuses go a long way in ensuring bettors remain engaged and loyal to the brand. Let’s check out the most common North Carolina sports betting promos you’ll come across:

Welcome Offers

Welcome bonuses can help you start your betting journey with a bang. You can opt-in for a bonus straight after registering at most of the featured North Carolina betting sites. Remember that most of these offers necessitate a deposit to be triggered, often featuring bonus bets and deposit matches to enhance your betting bankroll.

Second Chance Bets

Second chance bets are innovative and appealing promotions NC bettors can claim as their welcome offers. They work very simply—you will need to register, deposit, and make a bet on the site. Then, if your bet is unsuccessful, you will recoup the lost amount through bonus funds, thus allowing you a second chance at turning your wager into profits.

Deposit Match Offers

These are the most common types of promotion offered by NC online sportsbooks. They can be daily or weekly promotions that will see the platform match your deposit up to a certain percentage. Unlike traditional welcome deposit matches, they may come as reload bonuses valid for shorter periods.

No Deposit Bonuses

A no-deposit bonus lets you enjoy NC betting apps and sites without spending your real money balance. This type of bonus is ideal for newcomers and casual bettors wanting a risk-free experience. However, before claiming a no-deposit bonus, remember that any winnings are typically subject to stricter wagering requirements.

Loyalty and VIP Programs

Designed to reward regular bettors, loyalty programs enhance their engagement and satisfaction. These programs incentivize regular users so they do not switch to another platform. The best North Carolina sportsbooks will offer various perks, such as personalized bonuses, better cashback deals, birthday gifts, and more.

Biggest Sports at North Carolina Betting Sites

Your online betting appetite will surely be satisfied, as all top-rated NC betting platforms offer an assemblage of sports from within the US and other continents. However, as you may imagine, some North Carolinians prefer domestic professional and college sports for betting, so let’s look at the major sports betting options available in North Carolina:

NFL (Football)

The Panthers are the only NFL team from North Carolina. It joined the league in 1995 and enjoyed immediate success, thus attracting many fans from the state. They have never won a Super Bowl, but who knows, this just might be their season. Our recommended sportsbooks in NC will allow you to back them through future bets, but you can also place various bets on individual games. Moneyline bets seem to be the most common, but a fair share of NFL bettors enjoy point spreads, totals, parlays, and unconventional prop bets. Live betting is also something experienced bettors seem to prefer, as these bets are based on the game’s unfolding events. If you watch NFL games closely and can recognize momentum shifts, then live betting is a great option to explore.

NBA (Basketball)

North Carolina also has representation in the NBA. The Hornets were established in 1988, and the legendary Michael Jordan owned them from 2006 to 2023. Although they have never reached the Conference Finals, they consistently attract a large viewership from North Carolina whenever a game is in town. As with all sports we mention, North Carolina online sportsbooks offer dozens of ways to bet on NBA games. Moneyline bets, point spread, and over/under markets seem to be the most popular ones, but avid punters can take full advantage of some advanced bet types as well:

• Parlays: Involve two or more individual wagers to win the parlay.
• Prop bets: You can wager on specific team or player performances, and the exact prop bets will vary from one betting site to another.

MLB (Baseball)

Despite not having a professional MLB team, North Carolina residents can still partake in the thrilling betting opportunities that come with this sport. There is no perfect MLB betting strategy, but knowing all the options can help you make better-informed bets and hopefully secure some wins. Here are some of the available markets for MLB games:

• Moneyline bets
• Puck line betting (similar to point spread in other sports)
• Totals betting

Prop bets are worth highlighting, as they provide numerous options for specific events within a match. Examples range from betting on the race to three runs and the margin of victory to predicting if a player will hit a home run or the total strikeouts by a pitcher.

NHL (Ice Hockey)

North Carolinians’ love for hockey grew since the Carolina Hurricanes moved there in 1997. They were an instant success, and after missing out on the Stanley Cup a couple of times, they finally won it in 2006. As a result, sportsbooks in North Carolina pay close attention to the betting markets and odds available for the NHL. If you are interested in joining the NHL betting action, then moneyline bets, over/under, and futures bets are more than enough to get you started. Another betting option you’ll come across is the “puck line.” While the name might be unfamiliar, it simply represents the point spread in hockey. The 60-minute line bet in hockey also attracts avid punters. It is a three-way market, and it represents a bet that doesn’t include overtime. You can choose from three possible outcomes in a 60-minute line, including a tie.

College Sports

Unlike some other states in the US, North Carolina’s lawmakers didn’t impose any restrictions on college sports betting. As such, you can freely back any of the following high-profile Division 1 schools from North Carolina:

• Appalachian State Mountaineers
• Charlotte 49ers
• Davidson Wildcats
• The North Carolina Tar Heels
• The Duke Blue Devils

Therefore, nothing stops you from exploring the highest March Madness odds on the best North Carolina sports betting sites.

Tennis

Tennis is covered by multiple tours and tournaments, so the volume of yearly events gives you a substantial amount of betting options to explore. Regardless of their coverage and popularity, nearly all tennis games are available for various bet types across North Carolina betting sites. Outright winners and match betting are the most widespread options among North Carolina punters. However, set betting options where you need to predict the final result or handicap betting can provide you with much better odds.

North Carolina Local Sportsbook Partnerships

Sports wagering has rapidly grown in North Carolina, with several partnerships between local sports teams and major sportsbooks. These collaborations provide opportunities for fan engagement through branding, digital integrations, and event activations. At the same time, it benefits local punters with dedicated promos and high odds boosts. Check out the breakdown of famous sportsbook brands and their deals with professional sports teams:

Betting Site	Local Partner	Year	Description
Fanatics Sportsbook	Carolina Hurricanes	2024	Access to the NC market for mobile sports betting and market assets, such as broadcast integrations, PNC Arena Activations, and others.
FanDuel Sportsbook	Carolina Panthers	2024	FanDuel will partner with the team on digital and social media channels, and fans can look forward to exclusive events at Bank of America Stadium.
Bet365 Sportsbook	Charlotte Hornets	2023	Bet365 will enjoy significant branding and signage at Spectrum Center. Partners will collaborate on social media as well.

Daily Fantasy Sports in North Carolina

Daily fantasy sports betting is legal in North Carolina, offering a wide variety of contests across all major professional sports in the U.S. You can even include local teams in your lineup, allowing you to select players from the NFL, NBA, and MLB to compete for some of the biggest DFS prizes. The only difference between daily and standard fantasy sports is the duration. The latter’s contests occur throughout a season, while DFS usually involves daily or weekly competitions. All the other aspects remain the same: you will be given a salary cap, which you can use to draft a team. Your team will collect points based on real-life performances, and you will get to compete for nice prizes with other competitors. The top betting sites in North Carolina will also offer you to choose from a list of unique contests—both private and public ones.

North Carolina Sports Betting Apps

Punters have clearly embraced the benefits of mobile betting, leading to the availability of North Carolina sportsbook apps on both Android and iOS devices. Thanks to these innovative apps, you can now wager on live and pre-match markets on the go, which adds more convenience to your online betting experience. NC sports betting apps come with a user-friendly interface bettors can easily navigate through, along with the same features found on their desktop counterparts. Simply download the Sportsbook app from the respective app store on your phone, open it, and fill out the registration form. Then, you can make deposits and claim bonuses easily.

How to Start Betting Online in North Carolina

Now that you are fully aware of the potential of the online betting scene in North Carolina, why not give it a go? Getting started requires you to simply complete a few steps:

1. Choose a sportsbook: Browse through the legal sports betting sites from our list and select one that matches your style. We recommend choosing based on your budget, bonus preferences, and payment options.
2. Create an account: Click on the sign-up button on the homepage and fill out the registration form. You might also need to verify your ID by sending government-issued documents for the sports betting operator to review.
3. Deposit funds: Select one of the payment methods in the list and make your first deposit. This is usually a key step for triggering the welcome bonus.
4. Make a bet: If claimed, use the welcome bonus on the available sports and aim for your first win. Once you complete the wagering requirements, it is time for your first payout!

The Rise of Online Betting in North Carolina

North Carolina’s deep-rooted love for sports has been one of the reasons why the online betting industry has had such a promising start. With the best brands rushing to enter the state’s sports betting market and securing multi-year partnerships with local professional teams, bettors can expect a wide variety of options and competitive odds. Although esports betting and college prop bets remain prohibited, state laws are designed to encourage and expand the sports gambling scene. Looking to get started on North Carolina betting sites? We’ve got you covered. Our team has done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the best platforms for both new and season North Carolina bettors. Scroll through our list and sign up today for an attractive welcome offer.

North Carolina Online Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?

Yes, North Carolina is one of the latest US states to legalize online and retail sports betting. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the bill allowing operators to apply for a sports betting license in 2024. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission oversees compliance with all sports betting rules.

What is the legal gambling age in North Carolina?

You must be at least 21 years old to place real money bets at North Carolina sportsbook apps and sites. All sportsbooks in the state will require you to verify your identity through a KYC process.

Which bonuses can I claim on North Carolina betting sites?

You will probably start your adventure with a welcome bonus, but once you are done with it, you can proceed with claiming various other bonuses, such as reload packages and free bets and enjoy various perks from the loyalty programs.

Do I need to tax my sports betting winnings in North Carolina?

Yes, you must pay taxes on your income from sports betting in North Carolina. The tax rate is 4.75% for every generated income, including sports gambling in the state.

How can I place a bet at North Carolina sportsbooks?

You can start by choosing one of the featured operators on our top list. Next, sign up by filling out the registration form. Verify your ID and choose a payment method for your first deposit, and you’ll be ready to bet on sports in North Carolina.

Do I need to be a resident of North Carolina to use betting apps?

No, you do not need to be a resident of North Carolina to use NC sports betting apps, but you must be physically located within the state to bet on sports online.

How can I deposit my account at North Carolina betting sites?

Bettors from NC can choose from a wide range of payment methods to top up their betting accounts. The most used ones include debit cards, online banking, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.

Can I bet on college sports in North Carolina?

Yes, online sportsbooks in North Carolina allow users to place wagers on college games and tournaments. There are no restrictions at the moment.