Although the North Carolina sports betting industry is only a little over a year old, it has grown significantly and shows potential for further expansion.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the industry, including its licensing, tax rates, sports, market coverage, and how promotions work. You’ll find insights about its future and how it compares to betting industries in neighboring states.
North Carolina Sports Betting Overview
On June 14, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 (HB 347), which legalized sports betting in North Carolina and placed the North Carolina Lottery Commission in charge of licensing and regulating the activity. The law allows up to 12 online sportsbooks, requires partnerships with in-state teams or venues, and permits retail betting at tribal casinos and major sports facilities.
Online betting launched in March 2024 with eight operators, including FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM. In the first two months, bettors wagered more than $1.3 billion, generating $171.7 million in revenue and $30.9 million in state taxes. A portion of tax funds goes to youth sports, gambling support services, and public programs.
Timeline
- June 14, 2023: Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347, legalizing online sports betting with up to 12 sportsbook licenses.
- Jan. 24, 2024: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission announced the official launch date for online sports betting.
- March 1, 2024: Caesars Sportsbook became the first operator to go live in North Carolina.
- March 11, 2024: Fanatics, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, ESPN BET, and Underdog all launched after approval from the Lottery Commission.
- March 18, 2024: Online sportsbooks reported $42.7M in gross revenue.
- As of March 31, 2024, North Carolina online sportsbooks generated approximately $234.8M in gross wagering revenue.
- March 31, 2025: Year 1. Handle reached $659.3M, with $11.9M in betting taxes and $66.5M in gross revenue.
- April 17, 2025: Lawmakers proposed raising the state’s sports betting tax rate.
- July 23, 2025: Catawba Two Kings Casino signed a brand partnership with the Carolina Panthers, including in-stadium promotions and fan rewards through 2027.
- July 31, 2025: Handle reached $370.4M, taxes totaled $4.08M, and gross revenue was $22.7M.
- August 31, 2025: Handle hit $478.7M, taxes totaled $9.7M, and gross revenue climbed to $54.1M.
Licensing, Tax, and Oversight
On June 14, 2023, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed the online sports betting bill HB 347, thereby making sports betting sites and apps legal in North Carolina. The bill allowed for up to twelve online sportsbooks in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Lottery Commission is responsible for regulating sports betting within the state. It also adopts additional regulations to implement the law and issues licenses to qualified betting sites. It also performs oversight functions for the North Carolina Education Lottery.
While the North Carolina Lottery Commission regulates North Carolina online sportsbooks , retail sportsbooks hosted by tribal casinos are regulated by the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission. There are currently three tribal casinos in NC, namely, Catawba Two Kings Casino, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
Although HB347 provides for up to twelve sportsbooks, at the time of writing, only eight have been issued. The licenses were issued to Fanatics, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, ESPN BET, and Underdog. Before online sportsbooks become legal in North Carolina, they must be partnered with a professional team, golf course, or motor racing track based in the state.
All North Carolina sports betting sites are required to pay betting taxes at a rate of 18% on gross gaming revenue (GGR). As of March 2025, these sites had generated a handle of $659.3 million. Based on figures released by the North Carolina Lottery Commission, betting sites in the state generated a betting handle of just under $24M on the day mobile sports betting was launched and $198.1M after the first week.
As of August 2025, online sportsbooks in NC reported $54.1 million in gross gaming revenue, and based on the state’s 18% tax rate, this translates to approximately $9.7 million in taxes.
Sports and market coverage in North Carolina
There are currently no restrictions on college sports betting in the Tar Heel State, including props and wagering on in-state teams. However, there are talks about introducing restrictions on college sports betting in North Carolina.
In April 2025, lawmakers introduced House Bill 828 (HB 828) in an effort to ban college player prop bets, similar to rules already in place in several other states. The bill is still under review, and if passed, it would mark the first major restriction on college sports betting since legalization.
The idea behind the bill is to protect college athletes from the pressure of being bet on. In the meantime, you’ll still be able to bet on your favorite collegiate sports teams, such as the Duke Blue Devils, the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the NC State Wolfpack.
There’s also an array of sports events and professional leagues to bet on at North Carolina sportsbooks. Here are some of the top sports events and teams that you can bet on in North Carolina:
- Football (Carolina Panthers)
- Hockey (Carolina Hurricanes)
- Basketball (Charlotte Hornets)
- Soccer (Charlotte FC)
Other non-team sports you can explore in the Tar Heel state include darts, golf, water polo, motorsports, surfing, lacrosse, sailing, Australian rules football, tennis, and cricket.
A couple of NC online sportsbooks already have brand partnerships with some of the local teams in top professional sports leagues.
Top betting offers available at leading sportsbooks in NC
All the top North Carolina betting sites offer generous bonuses as a marketing strategy to attract new customers. These sites then offer several promotions to retain customers who have signed up for their services.
Per North Carolina sports betting regulations, sportsbooks operating in the state are required to offer fair bonuses that are accurately described in clear language. Some of the top betting promos offered at online sportsbooks in NC include:
- Bet and Get Bonuses
- Second Chance Bets
- First Deposit Bonuses
- Odds Boosts
- VIP/Loyalty Programs
How VIP programs work at NC online betting sites
Similar to what obtains in the Michigan sports betting space, not all NC betting sites offer VIP programs to their sportsbook customers. However, with sites like Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM Sportsbook, bettors are awarded perks and benefits based on their betting activities.
For example, the Caesars Rewards program is a tiered rewards system where bettors claim valuable points based on the number of sports bets that they place. The more points they score, the faster they move up the tiers to claim more rewards.
The future of sports betting in North Carolina
Things appear to be looking up for the North Carolina sports betting industry. As of the time of writing, the industry’s sports betting handle is $478.666M, while its sports betting taxes amount to $9,739,814M, and gross wagering revenue is $54.110M.
These figures are quite impressive, given that sports betting was launched in NC just over a year ago. There are projections that sports betting in North Carolina could exceed $1 billion in betting handle in the coming years. Other forms of online gambling in North Carolina, such as esports betting, might also be available soon.
However, there may be increases in sports betting tax rates in the near future, and discussions are underway regarding stricter regulations. These regulations include wagering caps and a ban on prop bets on college athletes.
Regardless of the possible restrictions, sports betting in NC is still a lot more flexible than the Florida sports betting industry, where you can only place wagers at sportsbooks operated by or in partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
There’s also the fact that you don’t need to be a resident in NC to place bets there. So bettors who can’t explore sports betting in California can explore any of the available sportsbooks if they find themselves in the Tar Heel State..
Verdict + pros and cons:
North Carolina has strong potential for growth, but possible legislative restrictions make the market unpredictable.
- Lots of betting markets
- Convenient
- Generous bonuses and offers
- Supports responsible gambling
- Possible legislative restrictions
Discover must-see sportsbooks
Online vs. Retail betting in North Carolina
Online sportsbooks are more convenient since they are easily accessible via mobile and don’t require in-person registration. They also offer more frequent and generous promotions than their retail counterparts. Plus, sports bettors using a mobile sportsbook have access to more flexible deposit limits.
On the other hand, retail sportsbooks provide a social atmosphere and communal vibe for locals. Interestingly, although there are currently eight mobile sportsbooks compared to three retail sportsbooks in NC, retail sportsbooks remain popular among locals.
Expert picks: North Carolina’s best online sportsbooks
Sports betting in North Carolina is already off to a strong start, with several big names now live. Each sportsbook has its own welcome bonus, retail partner, and betting markets to choose from. Below, I provide a brief overview of the main options, along with links to full reviews if you’d like more details.
| Sportsbook | Retail partners | Welcome bonus | Popular markets | Link to review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Bet $10 Get $150 | In-play bets, moneylines, point spreads, Totals, Parlays | BetMGM Sportsbook review |
| bet365 | Charlotte Hornets | First Bet Safety Net to get $1000 in bonus bets OR the Bet $5 & Get $150 in bonus bets win or lose” | Same game parlays, Futures, Moneylines, Totals, Props, Anytime goalscorer, Spreads | bet365 Sportsbook review |
| Caesars | Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel | The welcome bonus varies by state | Moneylines, point spreads, totals | Caesars Sportsbook review |
| FanDuel | PGA Tour and the Carolina Panthers | Bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins | Same-game parlays, moneylines, teasers, futures, partial-game odds, prop bets, point spreads, live bets, and over/unders | FanDuel Sportsbook review |
North Carolina vs. Its Neighbors
Just like Texas sports betting activities aren’t yet legal, Georgia and South Carolina don’t allow sports betting. Let’s look at some key markers of the betting industries in Tennessee and Virginia.
| State | Tax Rate | Operator Count | Handle | 2025 revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1.85%(based on handle) | 12 | $70,101,370,611 | $7,032,674,334 |
| Virginia | 15% | ~12 | $477,800,000 | $60,700,000 |
Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
Responsible Gambling is a key aspect of the North Carolina sports betting industry. All sportsbooks that legally operate in NC are required to have a Responsible Gambling page. Bettors can then access this page to find tools and resources to help them bet more responsibly.
Expert Verdict
Since its launch in March 2024, the North Carolina sports betting industry has experienced significant growth. In spite of its relatively high tax rate of 18%, the sports betting handle and GGR are quite impressive. The industry has the potential for further expansion, with projections indicating a $1 billion handle in the coming years.
There’s also talk of the passing of local legislation to restrict sports betting activities and increase tax rates. In the meantime, things are looking up for sports betting in NC.
Top sports betting sites of choice
FAQ: North Carolina Sports Betting
What is the betting tax rate in North Carolina?
At the time of writing, the tax rate in North Carolina is 18%. However, there’s a possibility that it will be increased in the future.
What are the best sites for online sports betting in North Carolina?
BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars are some of the leading online sports betting sites to explore in the state.
Can I bet on College sports in North Carolina?
At the moment, you can. However, a bill that seeks to restrict prop bets on college athletes has been passed.
Who can explore online sports bets in North Carolina?
Anyone who is at least 21 years old and is within the state’s borders can place online sports bets in NC.
Where is sports betting legal in North Carolina?
You can place sports bets in all regions of the state. There are currently eight online sportsbooks and three retail sportsbooks in the state.
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