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By State › North Carolina
State guide

Online Gambling in North Carolina

North Carolina launched online sports betting in March 2024, and sweepstakes casinos are legal here. Real-money online casino isn't legal yet. A higher 23% sports betting tax has been proposed.

What's legal in North Carolina?

North Carolina launched online sports betting on 11 March 2024 under SB 14, regulated by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission at an 18% tax (21+). Horse racing wagering is legal at 18+. Sweepstakes casinos are legal here. Real-money online casino and poker are not legal. A proposal to raise the sports betting tax to 23% surfaced in June 2026.

Sports Betting and Casino Bonuses for Gamblers in North Carolina

Current welcome offers
SportsbookFanDuelBet $5, Get $350 in Bonus Bets (over 7 days)Claim
SportsbookBetRivers2nd Chance Bet up to $500 USBTRVClaim
SportsbookDraftKingsBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
SportsbookBetMGM$1,500 First-Bet Offer
RacingAmWager100% Deposit Match up to $50 AMWAGERClaim
RacingTwinSpiresUp to $200 new-member bonus
SweepsNoLimitCoinsFree Gold Coins + Sweeps Coins on signup
SweepsFunrizeWelcome Gold Coins package
PredictsKalshiNew-account trading bonus (federally regulated)
agamble.com editors’ verdict

For sports betting, FanDuel‘s Bet $5, Get $350 is the standout — the bonus is guaranteed (not win-dependent) for just $5 a day across a week, with a low entry and a 7-day expiry on each drop. BetRivers’ 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 is the better fit if you’d rather make one larger first wager with a loss-refund safety net.

For the horses, AmWager‘s 100% match up to $50 (code AMWAGER) is the racing pick.

Best for a new customer in North Carolina: FanDuel, for the guaranteed $350 value and the low $5 entry. AmWager is the add-on pick if you also bet the races.

Legal sportsbook apps in North Carolina

NC State Lottery Commission-licensed online sportsbooks — eight launched together in March 2024. 21+. Sports betting is taxed at 18%, with a 1% of handle promo-deduction cap added in 2026.

  1. FanDuel Sportsbook
  2. DraftKings Sportsbook
  3. BetMGM
  4. Caesars Sportsbook
  5. bet365 code 365GMBLR
  6. Fanatics Sportsbook
  7. BetRivers code USBTRV
  8. Hard Rock Bet

See all North Carolina sportsbooks →

Sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina

With no real-money online casino and no sweepstakes ban, sweepstakes casinos are a legal free-to-play option in North Carolina. Gold Coins for play, Sweeps Coins for prizes. 21+.

  1. NoLimitCoins
  2. Funrize
  3. FunzCity
  4. Real Prize

See all sweepstakes casinos →

Horse racing betting in North Carolina

Pari-mutuel ADW betting is legal at 18+. AmWager leads on track count and rebates.

  1. AmWager 100% up to $50 · code AMWAGER
  2. TwinSpires
  3. TVG
  4. NYRA Bets
  5. DRF Bets 100% up to $200

See all horse racing sites →

Prediction markets in North Carolina

Contested. Prediction markets run under federal CFTC rules; their North Carolina status is unsettled amid the national dispute over sports event contracts.

What you can't do in North Carolina

Real-money online casino and online poker are not legal in North Carolina. The state’s online market launched only in 2024 and there’s no enacted iGaming framework yet.

North Carolina online gambling: timeline & outlook

  • 2023 · SB 14 signed (June), legalizing online sports betting.
  • 2024 · Eight online sportsbooks launch together on 11 March; $659M handle in month one.
  • 2026 · A 1% of handle promo-deduction cap takes effect (March); a 23% tax hike is proposed (June).
  • 2027 (proj.) · Tax policy is the live debate; no enacted iGaming framework yet.
  • 2028 (proj.) · Online casino would require new legislation; sweepstakes remain legal for now.
What to expect

The 2027–2028 outlook

North Carolina’s young market is focused on sports betting and tax policy.

Online casinoNo enacted framework; the market is still maturing after a 2024 launch.
SweepstakesLegal and operating as a free-to-play option.
Sports betting tax18% today, with a promo-deduction cap and a proposed hike to 23%.
Prediction marketsContested; tied to federal CFTC outcomes.

North Carolina gambling FAQ

Is online casino legal in North Carolina?

No. Real-money online casino and poker are not legal in North Carolina; there’s no enacted iGaming framework yet.

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in North Carolina?

Yes. With no ban in place, brands like NoLimitCoins, Funrize, FunzCity and Real Prize accept North Carolina players. 21+.

Is online sports betting legal in North Carolina?

Yes, since March 11, 2024, regulated by the NC State Lottery Commission at an 18% tax. 21+.

Is horse racing betting legal in North Carolina?

Yes, at 18+, through ADW apps such as AmWager.

Nearby states

Compare what's legal in states bordering North Carolina.

Virginia Tennessee Georgia South Carolina