North Carolina Sports Betting 2025: NC Sports Betting
LEGAL
North Carolina sports betting is now legal, with mobile apps and retail sportsbooks available statewide since March 2024.
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Last Updated: 2 July, 2025
Yes. Sports betting is fully legal in North Carolina.
Mobile apps launched in March 2024, joining the three tribal casinos already offering in-person betting.
Anyone 21 or older can now place bets from anywhere in the state.
Key facts of North Carolina betting
How do I gamble in North Carolina?
Sports betting is fully legal in North Carolina, both online and in person.
You can sign up with any of the eight licensed sportsbook apps or visit one of three tribal casinos to bet in person.
Each mobile sportsbook uses geolocation to confirm you're inside state lines before placing a wager.
You must be 21 or older to participate.
Daily fantasy sports in North Carolina
DFS is allowed but unregulated. PrizePicks, FanDuel, and DraftKings are the biggest operators in the state.
These platforms offer pick’em contests and season-long formats.
Other legal gambling options
Three tribal casinos in NC offer retail sports betting and casino games.
Horse race betting is available online through ADW platforms like TVG and TwinSpires.
Social sportsbooks like Fliff provide free-to-play options with sweepstakes prizes.
Charitable bingo and raffles are also legal under specific licensing.
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in North Carolina, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
This age limit also applies to betting on horse races.
However, daily fantasy sports contests are open to players 18 and older.
North Carolina sports betting sites
With eight licensed sports betting sites now live in North Carolina, getting started is simple.
You can register, verify, and bet all from your phone.
Below, we’ve highlighted the top three NC sportsbooks based on ease of use, features, and bonuses for new users.
Top NC Sportsbooks
1. FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the most downloaded sportsbook app in North Carolina and one of the easiest for beginners to use.
It offers strong odds for same-game parlays, live betting, and player props, plus frequent odds boosts for NFL, NBA, and college games.
FanDuel is partnered with the Carolina Panthers and the PGA Tour and is fully licensed by the NC Lottery Commission.
Read our expert FanDuel review.
Top features
Same game parlay builder
Live betting and streaming
Fast payouts and smooth interface
Daily odds boosts
Simple sign-up and verification
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Great for parlays and live betting
- ✅ Most user-friendly mobile app
Cons
- ❌ Limited VIP program
- ❌ Some promos require opt-in
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is a top pick for experienced bettors and daily fantasy sports players looking for seamless integration between platforms.
It offers deep betting markets, excellent live odds, and regular bonuses tied to major events like March Madness and the Super Bowl.
DraftKings is the official betting partner of NASCAR in North Carolina.
Read our DraftKings review.
Top features
Live betting and early cashout
Odds boosts and flash promos
Integrated DFS experience
Secure, fast withdrawals
Clean mobile and desktop apps
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Wide range of bet types
- ✅ Strong ongoing promotions
Cons
- ❌ Slight learning curve for new users
- ❌ Can be promo-heavy for casual bettors
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is best known for its “Edit My Bet” feature, strong futures odds, and integration with the MGM Rewards program.
It's partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway and operates under a full license from the NC Lottery Commission.
The app offers a wide range of betting options across all major sports.
Read our top BetMGM review.
Top features
Edit My Bet and early cashout
MGM Rewards loyalty program
Strong futures and prop markets
Secure app with fast deposits
Retail ties to the MGM casino network
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Valuable loyalty perks and promos
- ✅ Unique in-app betting tools
Cons
- ❌ Navigation can be clunky
- ❌ App runs slower on older devices
Betting sites to avoid
Even though North Carolina has legal sportsbook apps, some people still come across offshore sites that claim to accept NC players.
These sites aren’t licensed in the US and don’t follow state or federal laws.
That means your money and personal info aren’t protected, and there’s no way to hold them accountable if something goes wrong.
Stick with licensed North Carolina sportsbooks for safe, legal, and protected betting.
⚠️ Avoid these offshore sportsbooks; they are not legal or safe to use in North Carolina. ⚠️
Sports betting apps in North Carolina
Online sports betting is fully legal in North Carolina, and there are eight licensed sportsbook apps live statewide.
You must be 21 or older and physically located within NC to place a bet.
Each sportsbook is partnered with a local pro team, golf course, or raceway, as required by state law.
Here’s a quick look at the legal NC sports betting apps:
All of these apps support mobile registration, secure banking, and geolocation to confirm you're betting within state lines.
Pros and cons of sports betting in North Carolina
Pros
- ✅ Legal online sportsbooks offer fast, secure mobile betting access
- ✅ You can bet on in-state college teams
Cons
- ❌ No commercial casinos or online casino games allowed
- ❌ Daily fantasy sports operate in a legal gray area
How to start betting in North Carolina
Online sports betting is fully legal in North Carolina, with eight licensed apps available statewide.
You don’t need to visit a casino or be a resident; you just need to be 21 or older and physically located in the state when placing a bet.
Each legal sportsbook is partnered with a North Carolina-based sports team, golf course, or race track.
This ensures the app is regulated by the NC Lottery Commission and meets strict security standards.
Whether you're betting on the Panthers, the PGA Tour, or college basketball, these apps offer legal and safe access to sports betting.
You can download any NC sportsbook app directly to your phone.
They work on both iOS and Android, and most also have a desktop version if you prefer to bet from your computer.
All apps use geolocation to confirm you're inside state lines before accepting any wagers.
How to sign up for an NC sportsbook app
Latest North Carolina sports betting updates
You can sign up for more than one sportsbook to compare odds, explore different features, and take advantage of welcome offers.
The future of sports betting in North Carolina
Sports betting in North Carolina is off to a strong start, but the market still faces key questions around taxes, DFS regulation, and long-term growth.
Lawmakers are debating a major tax hike that would double the current rate from 18% to 36%.
If passed, this could limit promotions and slow down operator expansion.
At the same time, the state continues to monitor DFS and social sportsbooks, which still operate in a legal gray zone.
There’s also potential for more operators to enter the market.
North Carolina law allows up to 11 sportsbook licenses, and only eight are currently in use.
If new brands join, that could improve competition and give bettors more options.
Our expert prediction: North Carolina’s sports betting market will keep growing, but higher taxes could stall momentum.
Expanded regulation and new operator entries are likely next steps.
Other types of legal North Carolina betting
While sports betting is legal in North Carolina, a few other types of gambling are allowed, though each comes with its own rules and limits.
Horse racing
Online horse betting is legal in North Carolina through platforms like TwinSpires and TVG.
Advance deposit wagering (ADW) became legal in 2023 and launched in 2024.
While there are no active racetracks in the state, you can still bet on national and international races online.
Tribal casinos may also offer limited race betting on-site.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is legal but unregulated in North Carolina.
Major platforms like FanDuel, DraftKings, and PrizePicks are available.
The state removed DFS oversight in 2023, leaving it in a legal gray area.
For now, players 18 and up can enter real-money contests.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is legal for horse racing, though it’s only available online.
Because there are no operating racetracks, all wagering is done through ADW platforms.
Bets are pooled with other players, and payouts depend on how much is wagered.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Nonprofit groups can legally run bingo games and raffles under state rules.
Prizes are usually modest, and the organization must register with the state.
These games are common at churches, VFW halls, and local fundraisers.
Are social sportsbooks legal in North Carolina?
Yes, social sportsbooks like Fliff are legal to use in North Carolina.
These platforms let you play for free using virtual currency, but you can redeem winnings for real prizes.
They don’t require a gambling license because they fall under sweepstakes law.
Fliff and Rebet are two of the most popular options in the state.
Players can sign up without risk and try out betting without spending real money.
Types of bets in North Carolina
North Carolina sportsbooks offer all the major bet types you'd expect from a legal, regulated market.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common options available on licensed NC apps:
Moneyline: A straight bet on which team will win the game. It's the simplest and most popular type of sports wager.
Point spread: A bet on the margin of victory. The favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog can cover by keeping the game close or winning outright.
Over/under: Also called totals, this bet is based on the combined score of both teams. You pick whether the total will go over or under the line set by the sportsbook.
Futures: A long-term bet on outcomes like who will win the Super Bowl or NBA title. These bets often offer higher payouts but take time to settle.
Parlays: Combines two or more bets into one. All legs must win for the bet to cash, but the payout is higher than betting each leg separately.
Prop bets: Short for “proposition bets,” these focus on individual players or specific events. Examples include how many points a player scores or who scores first.
Live betting: Lets you bet on a game after it starts. Odds change in real time based on what’s happening in the game.
Frequently asked questions
How to bet responsibly in North Carolina
Sports betting should be fun, but when it stops feeling that way, it’s important to know where to turn.
North Carolina’s legal sportsbooks offer built-in tools to set limits, take breaks, or self-exclude.
The state also supports multiple resources to help individuals and families dealing with gambling problems.
North Carolina-specific resources
More Than a Game NC – morethanagame.nc.gov
NC Problem Gambling Program – 1-877-718-5543
NC Department of Health and Human Services – Offers treatment and referral services
National help organizations
National Council on Problem Gambling – ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org
1-800-GAMBLER – Free, 24/7 confidential support
Signs of problem gambling: Spending more time or money than planned, hiding gambling from others, or chasing losses are common warning signs.
If betting starts to impact your finances, relationships, or mental health, reach out.
Help is available, and it works. Read our guide to responsible betting here.
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You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
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Read more here too: How we rank sportsbooks.
References
Contributors
Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.
Bradley Gibbs
Reviewed By
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.