Real-money online casinos are currently illegal in North Carolina, even though lawmakers have made attempts to pass bills for legalization.
However, residents can still enjoy sweepstakes and social casinos, where they can play online casino games and earn 'gold coins' as rewards.
List of North Carolina online casinos
Here is a list of the best online casinos in North Carolina as of September 2025.
Each NC online casino listed below is legal and licensed by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
In the last column you will find the top North Carolina online casinos no deposit bonus:
Best online casinos in North Carolina reviewed
In the following sections, you can read our mini-reviews of the best online casinos North Carolina residents can play.
See our analysis of each platform and what that specific casino site is recommended for, so you can make the best choice for your gambling needs.
1. Spree - Best North Carolina casino for RTP percentage
2. Stake.us - Best North Carolina online casino for payout speed
3. High 5 Casino - Best North Carolina casino site for game variety
4. NoLimitCoins - Best for daily North Carolina casino bonuses
5. Funrize - Best for customer support
Best North Carolina online casinos compared 2025
How we rate & rank NC online casinos
Our goal is to provide you with objective, concise reviews of US casinos online highlighting their key strengths and weaknesses.
We use a set of essential criteria to evaluate each casino, ensuring effective comparison.
Game selection: We examine the variety and quality of casino games, like roulette or online slots, ensuring a broad online casino gaming experience.
Bonuses & promotions: We review the generosity and fairness of welcome casino bonuses, no-deposit offers, and ongoing promotions, with a focus on transparent terms.
Mobile compatibility: We test the platform's mobile performance, including casino app features, to ensure a seamless gaming experience on all devices.
Payment methods: We assess the range of deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, and any fees, prioritizing fast payout casinos.
Security: We verify that the site is licensed in the US and uses top-tier security measures like SSL encryption, so we only recommend safe online casinos.
Customer support: We evaluate the responsiveness and effectiveness of support options, including live chat, email, and phone.
Fair play: We review game fairness, focusing on return-to-player (RTP) rates and the integrity of random number generators, so players can gamble securely. Take a look at the best payout casinos for this feature.
We download each top online casino and interact with the platform ourselves, using our own money to test the quality.
If we do not recommend the site to our friends and family, we will not recommend it to you!
This streamlined approach ensures you can make informed decisions based on what matters most in your online gambling experience.
How do I choose a North Carolina online casino for me?
Game selection: Start by checking the variety of games available at the casino. Whether you're into slots, table games, or live dealer games, make sure the casino offers your preferred options and plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
Bonuses and promotions: Look for NC casinos with generous welcome bonuses, ongoing promotions, and rewarding loyalty programs. Offers like free sweeps coins, bonus coins, or sweepstakes entries can make your playing experience more exciting and improve your chances of winning.
Payout speed and banking methods: Review the payout options and how quickly you can redeem sweeps coins for real cash prizes. Opt for casinos that offer multiple secure payment methods such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and e-wallets, along with fast payout times.
Payout percentage (RTP): Consider the Return to Player (RTP) rates of the games, especially slots. Higher RTP percentages usually indicate better chances of winning over time. Casinos that share clear RTP details tend to offer a more transparent gaming experience.
User experience and mobile compatibility: If you prefer playing on your phone or tablet, choose a casino with a well-optimized mobile site or dedicated app. A smooth, easy-to-navigate interface will enhance your gaming, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device.
Reputation and customer support: Finally, select a North Carolina casino online with a solid reputation for security and fairness. Strong customer support is also key—choose one that provides responsive, 24/7 assistance in case you run into any issues. A good reputation and reliable support can make all the difference.
Best North Carolina casino apps
Here's a list of the best North Carolina gambling apps with their App store rating for iOS and Android.
North Carolina online gambling laws
In North Carolina, online casino gambling is not yet legal, though sweepstakes and social casinos are allowed under state law.
While traditional real-money online casinos remain prohibited, players can legally participate in social and sweepstakes platforms where no direct monetary wagers are involved.
These casinos operate by allowing players to purchase in-game coins (often referred to as Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins), which can be used for play or redeemed for cash prizes.
Online sports betting became legal in North Carolina in 2024, with a limited number of 12 interactive sports wagering licenses granted, marking a significant development in the state's gambling landscape.
North Carolina's gambling history began with the introduction of land-based tribal casinos in the late 1990s.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort opened in 1997, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, marking the state's first foray into regulated gambling.
The state lottery was introduced in 2006, further expanding legalized gambling.
In 2019, the legalization of land-based sports betting followed, allowing the state’s tribal casinos to offer this form of betting.
Despite this progress, full-scale online casino gambling remains under debate, with lawmakers closely watching how the online sports betting market develops before considering further expansions.
Online gambling in North Carolina responsibly
Before we end this article, we need to caution you to always bet and play responsibly on the top North Carolina casinos online.
To ensure you’re being cautious, these casinos implement various responsible gambling practices that will help you keep your betting habits in check and prevent unhealthy behaviors.
Limits: Online casinos allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any online casino. This prevents you from spending all of your winnings. There’s also the option for early cashout, so you can still get paid if the bet is starting to go sideways.
Help & resources: Casinos provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
Responsible gambling organizations and charities in the US
Frequently asked questions
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures extensively researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top online casino experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains integrity, relevance, and value in all of our content for our readers.
References
To test casino sites accurately, we dive into analytical research of the online casino gambling industry, to understand what features are best for you.
Below are the references we use when making these decisions on their levels of security: