This page gives you a complete overview to North Carolina sports betting by highlighting the best NC sportsbooks, providing a history of sports betting throughout the state, and offering advice for beginning sports bettors. We will also cover important information regarding taxes on winnings and detail how to gamble responsibly.
North Carolina is one of the newest states to join the sports betting landscape, launching its industry on March 11, 2024. Through the first six full months of offering online sports gambling (plus about three weeks in March), NC has seen $2.92 billion in betting handle.
The state’s rapid betting expansion comes as somewhat of a surprise given North Carolina’s overall conservative attitude towards gambling. It wasn’t until 1997 that the first of three casinos opened in NC, and the first state lottery was held in 2006.
NC lawmakers included a provision in the state’s sports betting bill to allow wagering on collegiate athletics, including bets involving in-state teams. As a hotbed for college basketball and with multiple professional sports teams that call North Carolina home, there are plenty of opportunities for a local angle to your betting slip.
Bettor In Green is committed to providing you with accurate, unbiased, and helpful information to make your betting experience more successful, enjoyable, and profitable. To that end, we’ve composed detailed reviews of all licensed and legitimate North Carolina sportsbooks.
We’ll briefly touch on each of the sportsbooks below while linking to our review pages so you can easily find them. You’ll also be able to sign up for sports betting accounts at each operator by following our links.
The definition of the best North Carolina sportsbook is a bit tricky to nail down, as each gambler will have different preferences for playstyles, market options, bonus types, app aesthetics, and more. We’ve done our best to assess these options based on which options will provide the greatest appeal to the largest number of bettors.
DraftKings Sportsbook had somewhat of a leg up on competition entering the North Carolina market due to its prominence as a daily fantasy sports powerhouse. As such, many NC gamblers were already familiar with the platform, as DFS competition was already allowed before the state launched its online sports betting industry.
One of the biggest draws of DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina is its live betting array, which extends into coverage of niche sports. DK should continue to find itself at the top of the rankings for sports betting handle in North Carolina as the industry grows.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: DraftKings has a reputation as one of the top sports betting operators in the U.S., and we expect it to see massive success in North Carolina.
bet365 Sportsbook NC is a solid option for gamblers who are practicing odds shopping, which is trying to find the most favorable odds for the lines you intend to back. The England-based bookmaker offers odds for 31 sports, one of the largest varieties of any North Carolina bookie.
We’ve also found bet365 to frequently require lower minimum wagers to qualify for bonuses; in some cases, as low as a $1 wager could qualify you for $150 or more in bonus bets. Additionally, bet365 is the official betting partner of the Charlotte Hornets.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: Gamblers using desktop platforms or Apple devices will likely enjoy their bet365 experience; however, we would recommend Android users opt for a browser-based option instead of the mobile app for their device.
Caesars Sportsbook is the only operator on this list to have thus far established a retail presence in North Carolina in addition to an online platform. Its partnership with Harrah’s properties in Cherokee and Murphy provided an entry point for Caesars to establish a mobile foothold.
Whether you’re using the desktop or app platform, Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina offers a multitude of live-streaming options for events on which you’ve placed a bet. We’re also big fans of Caesars’ rewards program, which offers luxurious prizes at all tier levels
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: Caesars Sportsbook NC seems to be a more favorable option for high-roller bettors than casual players. However, there are still benefits for beginning gamblers that warrant exploring.
You may already know about Fanatics through their domination of the sports merchandising and memorabilia space. Fanatics has partnerships with each of the “Big Four” leagues to officially license merchandise and will be the on-ice jersey sponsor for the NHL through at least the 2033-34 season.
Many of Fanatics Sportsbook’s promotions tie into merchandise discounts, as bettors earn FanCash for each wager they place. Fanatics took over all of PointsBet’s U.S. gambling operations in the summer of 2023 and rolled out the new platform in November of the same year.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina has significant potential and steady financial backing. It should continue to do well in North Carolina, especially due to the partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes (which could lead to a retail sportsbook inside PNC Arena)
Since replacing Barstool Sportsbook as the brand face of PENN’s sports betting platform in November 2023, ESPN Bet has been working to reestablish itself as a major player in the gambling industry. Though ESPN Bet North Carolina is not involved in any of the line-setting or payouts, the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” has leaned heavily into betting-themed content throughout its programming, with on-air talent contributing to ESPN Bet’s growth.
The mobile platform has one of the most aesthetically pleasing displays among North Carolina betting apps, and ESPN Bet’s web browser platform, while somewhat minimalistic, is very easy-to-use and a decent option for novice betting enthusiasts.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: With PENN’s $2 billion investment in ESPN Bet, the sportsbook platform will continue to innovate and improve on an already sufficient product.
In addition to the sportsbooks above, the other three sportsbooks in North Carolina have plenty to offer and should be able to meet your betting wants and needs.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel Sportsbook NC began as a DFS site, which has helped spur sign ups throughout North Carolina. FanDuel is a fine option for those new to the world of sports betting, with a highly intuitive interface and frequent promotional offerings.
Of particular note, FanDuel’s same game parlay market offers plenty of flexibility in crafting your bet slip. Prop markets on FanDuel have, in our experience, been some of the earliest to be posted ahead of game day.
We’ve found BetMGM to have some of the most competitive and at times downright player-friendly odds among NC sports betting sites. Oftentimes, BetMGM is ahead of the game when it comes to futures markets, setting the curve for its competitors to follow.
One of the most common welcome bonuses at BetMGM Sportsbook North Carolina is a second-chance bet worth up to $1,500. The high maximum return amount for a welcome bonus is one of the highest potential returns by dollar amount we’ve seen in the industry.
Wrapping up our list is Underdog Sportsbook, which is exclusively available in North Carolina. The Tar Heel State is acting as somewhat of a proving ground for Underdog, which has become a powerhouse DFS Pick’Em platform, before the operator expands into other states.
On the sports betting side, Underdog is still somewhat limited in its promotions, sports availability, and app performance. However, we can acknowledge this is likely due to not wanting to heavily invest in the product if it wasn’t viable, and we expect Underdog to improve in these areas as more gamblers utilize the platform.
Betting on sports in North Carolina is easy to do, but it takes some advanced know-how to make sure you’re doing so as safely and responsibly as possible. Here’s how you can start to bet on sports in North Carolina.
Stay up to date with the biggest headlines in North Carolina sports betting:
Sports betting is fully legal in North Carolina, with retail gambling available at each of the state’s three casinos and online sports betting at the eight NC sportsbooks. The law also fully allows participation in daily fantasy sports contests and horse race wagering.
Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 in June 2023, setting a deadline for NC to launch the online sports betting industry within one year. Online sports betting launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024.
As part of the bill, North Carolina bettors are permitted to wager on college sports, including wagers on in-state teams. This means you’ll be able to find each of the 19 NCAA Division I programs in some capacity at sportsbooks in NC.
Here is a brief timeline covering the history of sports betting in North Carolina.
As of October 2024, North Carolina has eight sportsbooks operating in the state that have an online presence. You can access these bookmakers through their respective websites or mobile betting apps.
Catawba Two Kings Casino has also been approved to launch a mobile sports betting app, but thus far, it has not integrated a sports wagering platform with its existing application.
North Carolina’s list of retail sportsbooks is quite small, as the state has historically been resistant to gambling expansion. In-person sports betting can be conducted at each of the state’s three casinos.
There aren’t currently any plans to establish a retail sportsbook presence in North Carolina, though Fanatics has laid the groundwork for opening an operation at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The bookmaker has partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes, but it is unclear if and when a retail shop could be up and running.
Promotions and bonuses are two of the biggest driving factors in encouraging users to sign up for North Carolina sportsbooks (though we contend that bonuses for returning players should be of greater importance). Here are a few of the most popular North Carolina sportsbook promos & bonuses you’ll find.
Most North Carolina sportsbooks have done away with outright promo codes, instead reserving the codes for referrals. This also means most promotions are applied via opt-in, which prevents the possibility of a player trying to use an expired code.
Still, there are a few where you’ll need a promo code to access the best available welcome bonus when registering for a sportsbook. Here’s how you’ll be able to redeem your promo codes at North Carolina sportsbooks when applicable.
By a large margin, mobile sports betting is the most popular way to participate in sports betting. The convenience of being able to make a wager anytime, anywhere within the state borders is a key factor, and the time saved on driving to the casino makes a major difference.
According to a survey from St. Bonaventure University, 91% of online sports bettors reported having a sports betting app on their smartphone. It’s virtually a prerequisite for a sports betting operator to provide a mobile app for their product to be successful.
Below is a table showing the app store ratings for each North Carolina betting app, as of October 2024.
| Sportsbook | Google Play Store Rating | Apple App Store Rating |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Sportsbook | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.7/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Underdog Sportsbook | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
Under state law, sports betting winnings are subject to income tax laws in North Carolina. Your winnings are taxed on both your state and federal returns, so you’ll need to be prepared when filing.
In North Carolina, the law poses a flat 5.25% tax rate on gambling winnings. That rate supplements the 24% federal withholding tax rate on gambling winnings.
Sportsbooks in NC will not withhold your winnings for tax purposes. You are 100% responsible for ensuring your winnings are reported correctly.
On your federal return form, you must include your gambling winnings as “Other Income” in box 1h (line 8). For the state return, copy over your total from Box 15 on your federal income tax return onto form D-400.
Unfortunately, North Carolina’s state tax code does not allow you to deduct your gambling losses on your returns, regardless of whether you take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions.
Gambling should always be conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Without proper safety measures in place from both betting operators and gamblers themselves, there is a very real danger of developing a gambling compulsion and a possibility of financial ruin.
In North Carolina, there are many resources available to help provide additional information about warning signs of problematic gambling behaviors as well as referrals for treatment options. These resources include:
Bettor In Green strongly encourages all users to set both time limits and money limits on their sportsbook accounts.
Time limits will issue reminders when you’ve spent too long at a sportsbook app or website. Once you’ve reached your time limit (which can be a daily, weekly, and/or monthly limit), you will not be able to place any more bets.
Betting limits can apply to both the number of wagers you make and the amount of money spent in a given time period. As with time limits, they can be broken down into daily, weekly, and monthly limits.
While North Carolina does not have a gambling self-exclusion program at this time, it could implement such a program in the future. Though they are extreme in nature, self-exclusion programs are highly effective as they impose stiff penalties on all gambling activities (or attempted gambling activities), block users from registering for or accessing an online sports betting account, and remove them from all promotional contact lists for the duration of their time in the program.
Self-exclusion list is anonymous and voluntary, so you can’t enroll someone else in the program. If you are a North Carolina resident, we highly encourage you to contact your state representatives and advocate for the implementation of a gambling self-exclusion list.
To find your representative’s contact information, visit https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators.
North Carolina’s sports betting bill (HB 347) allows for up to 12 sportsbook skins to operate in the state at any given time. With eight currently up and running (bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog), there’s potential for expansion, but we have not heard of any operators actively pursuing North Carolina market entry.
Most recently, Fanatics Sportsbook has partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes and has previously proposed establishing a retail sportsbook presence inside PNC Arena. However, Fanatics has not leased any arena space at this time, and it seems unlikely that a sportsbook would open during the 2024-25 NHL season.
Earlier, we mentioned March 2024 was North Carolina’s biggest month for sports betting based on the handle numbers. With that in mind, we’re predicting that a full month of betting activity in March 2025 will lead to a record-breaking month of NC sports wagering.
Though it is still relatively early on in the storybook of North Carolina sports betting, the future looks promising for the industry in the state. Eight sportsbooks have already seen billions of dollars in betting handle, leading to social programs around the state benefitting from gambling tax revenues.
Laws around which betting markets are available may yet change, as there are bills in committee that could prohibit wagers on collegiate prop wagering. If those bills are enacted into law, we will update this page accordingly.
We hope you found this piece helpful as you prepare to begin your sports betting journey! Be sure to bookmark this page and reference our sportsbook reviews so you’ll be well-informed about the best sportsbooks for your gambling desires.
As a reminder, you can sign up for the Bettor In Green cheat sheets, which are available at a $4.99/month subscription rate. With the massive amount of NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB insights and analysis offered on the sheets, you’ll be able to make up that amount in your gambling winnings in no time; the sheet virtually pays for itself!
Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!
You can bet on nearly any sport you’d like at North Carolina sportsbooks. Whether you’re looking for one of the “Big Four” North American leagues or a niche option like darts, cycling, or esports, you should be able to find a betting market at any online sportsbook in NC.
Yes, there are North Carolina-specific sports betting promotions. They are typically available through sportsbooks that have partnered with an NC-based team, or around key moments in the sports season like the beginning of the season or the playoffs.
No, you cannot cancel a sports bet after placing it in North Carolina in most cases. However, your bet may be eligible for an early cashout instead. If you try to cash out before the event starts, the sportsbook will take a small fee for returning your original stake; otherwise, the amount eligible to cash out will vary based on in-game events.
Yes, daily fantasy sports are legal in North Carolina. When the state legalized online sports betting, daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests also became fully legalized instead of existing in a legal gray area.
The most common bet types at North Carolina sportsbooks are moneyline, over/under (totals), and spread wagers. Parlays are also a fan favorite
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