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North Carolina Sports Betting: Legal NC Sportsbooks Now Live

North Carolina online sports betting is now live and legal and you can start betting today by registering with the top sports betting sites available in the state. Those operators are offering some outstanding betting promos and bonuses to attract new customers in the Tar Heel State. This page explains everything you need to know about legal sports betting in North Carolina, including the minimum age, tax concerns, the sports you can bet on, the top promo code offers, leading NC sportsbooks and much more.
by Alex Davidson | Gambling-websites.net
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Fact checked by Matt Romanoski
Updated Mar 28 2025, 06:07PM EDT

Affiliate Disclosure: At Gambling-websites.net, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling-websites.net will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you.

  1. Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
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  2. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. New Customer Offer. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
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    FanDuel Sports
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    FanDuel has been a major player in DFS since 2009 and offers some of the biggest prize pools in fantasy sports. There is a varied selection of contests, including head-to-heads, snake drafts and private tournaments.
  4. Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
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    DraftKings, one of the pioneers in daily fantasy sports providers, has been around since 2012 and continues to add to its offerings. Its public tournaments and private competitions are easy to play.


NC Sports Betting Update: March 2025

✅ Is NC Sports Betting Legal? Yes
✅ Online Betting Yes
✅ Retail Betting Yes
✅ Daily Fantasy Sports Yes
🖥️ Which Sportsbooks are Legal in NC? ESPN BET, BetMGM, FanDuel, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings
✅ Legal Betting Age21+
📅 Live Since March 11, 2025
📱 NC Problem Gambling Hotline1-800-GAMBLER
✅ Last VerifiedMarch 28, 2025

Eight online North Carolina betting apps received license approval from the North Carolina Lottery Commission on Feb. 29 and began pre-registering new customers on March 1. Those eight sportsbooks began accepting bets on March 11. 

This page explains all the codes required to unlock the best and latest North Carolina sportsbook promos.

Status of North Carolina Sports Betting

Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law in June 2025, and that North Carolina sports betting bill permits up to 12 of the best North Carolina sportsbooks to launch in the state, along with retail sportsbooks at key locations. The North Carolina online sports betting law came into effect in Jan. 2025. The first North Carolina betting apps and websites launched on March 11, 2025

Many of the top national operators – including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook – are now accepting online sports bets in the state.

See BetMGM.com for Terms. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. New Customer Offer. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?

Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina. Eight online sportsbooks are now fully licensed and legal to operate, joining retail outlets that have been running at tribal casinos in the Tar Heel State since 2021. 

The first legal online sports betting apps and sportsbook began taking bets in North Carolina on March 11, 2025. Eight operators were among the first of a possible 12 to go live after receiving online sports betting licenses from the North Carolina Lottery Commission to operate in the state. 

North Carolina Sports Betting Timeline

  • 📅 March 11, 2025: Online betting operators began taking bets at noon ET. 
  • 📅 March 4, 2025: FanDuel announces partnership with the Carolina Panthers. 
  • 📅 March 1, 2025: Pre-registration begins for licensed online sportsbooks in the state.
  • 📅 Feb. 29, 2004: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission approves licenses for Betfair Interactive (FanDuel), BetMGM, Crown NC Gaming (DraftKings), FBG Enterprises Opco (Fanatics), Hillside NC (bet365), Penn Sports Interactive (ESPB BET), Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise and Underdog Sports Wagering. 
  • 📅 Feb. 21, 2025: North Carolina State Lottery Commission spokesman says eight operators are on track to launch on March 11. 
  • 📅 Jan. 24, 2025: North Carolina Lottery Commission announces March 11 launch date for NCsports betting online.
  • 📅 Dec. 29, 2025: Applicants for sports betting licenses are announced as the following operators: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, ESPN BET, Underdog Sports.
  • 📅 Nov. 29, 2025: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission sets Dec. 27 as the deadline for sportsbooks to submit licensing applications, with the commission having 60 days to review applications.
  • 📅 Sept. 28, 2025: Regulators confirm online sportsbooks must be partnered with a professional sports team, golf course or motorsports racetrack.
  • 📅 June 2025: The sports betting bill passes the North Carolina Senate on a 37-11 vote. The North Carolina House then approves the amendments that the Senate made to HB 347. The online sports betting bill is sent over to Gov. Cooper for his seal of approval and signed at an official ceremony.
  • 📅 March 2025: Rep. Jason Saine introduces HB 347. It seeks to legalize NC online sports betting, plus retail sports betting on non-tribal lands. The House then votes 64-45 in favor of HB 347.
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

Online North Carolina sports betting was legalized in June 2025 when HB 347 was signed into law. (Photo by Jeremy Brevard/Gambling-websites.net Sports)

North Carolina Sports Betting Bills

This section highlights some of the key pieces of legislation that led to sports betting being legalized in the Tar Heel State.

  • 📜 SB 154: This NC sports betting bill aimed to legalize retail sports betting at tribal casinos. It gained approval in the North Carolina Senate, passing on a 43-7 vote, and the North Carolina House voted 90-27 in favor of it. Gov. Cooper signed the NC sports betting bill in 2019, and the first tribal sports betting venues opened in 2021.
  • 📜 SB 668: This legal sports betting North Carolina bill cleared the Senate in 2022. However, it met fierce opposition in the North Carolina House, and it did not gain approval before the legislative session ended, delaying online sports betting North Carolina for at least another year.
  • 📜 HB 347: This North Carolina betting bill finally succeeded in 2025. It contained different language designed to appease opponents in the House, and it ultimately cleared both chambers by June 2025. The bill was sent to Gov. Cooper’s desk, and he signed it into law.
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

NC Sports Betting Quick Facts

This section explains who can enjoy North Carolina mobile sports betting, online sports betting and retail sports betting now that online sports betting is live. We will discuss the minimum age for NC online sports betting, how to sign up and tax considerations.

Legal Age

You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in North Carolina. An online sports betting site or mobile sports betting app is required to verify your age before you can create an account, make a deposit and claim sportsbook promo codes.

The best bonuses include the BetMGM North Carolina bonus code and the Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina promo code.

Mobile Sports Betting

The NC sports betting bill paves the way for up to 12 online sports betting operators to launch in the Tar Heel State. They are permitted to offer mobile betting apps and websites. Some of the country’s leading operators have already gone live in the state, with ESPN BET, DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Fanatics, bet365 and Caesars Sportsbook available since Day 1.

Remote Registration

Sports bettors can sign up for a NC online sports betting account remotely from anywhere in the state. Some states, including Illinois, implemented an awkward in-person registration requirement when they legalized online sports betting, which was ostensibly designed to help out retail casinos. Thankfully, that is not the case in North Carolina.

Taxable Winnings

You will be required to pay a sports wagering tax if you generate an overall profit over the course of a calendar year. Any losses incurred from online betting and in-person betting can be deducted from your winnings, so you will only be liable to pay tax if you end up in the black.

If so, there will be a flat North Carolina sports betting tax of 5.25%, and you will also have to pay federal income tax, which will be dependent on the tax bracket you are in. We recommend keeping an itemized record of your wins and losses from NC sports betting and any other sports wagers throughout the year.

Retail Sportsbooks

There are already a few retail sportsbooks on tribal casino properties, but they are inconveniently located for most North Carolinians. The new bill permits eight additional retail sportsbooks, each of which must be located within a mile and a half of a pro sports venue in the state.

The venues include Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center in Charlotte, PNC Arena in Raleigh, WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Two PGA Tour venues – Quail Hollow in Charlotte and Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro – can also open retail sportsbooks, along with NASCAR tracks Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Within State Borders

You must be located inside state lines to sign up with online sportsbooks in North Carolina. If you are using a computer, you will need to use a GeoComply plugin, while you simply need to turn on your location services on your iPhone or Android device when using sports betting apps.

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

North Carolina Sportsbooks

🖥️ ESPN BET North Carolina ⭐ Terrific Welcome Offer and Regular Rewards
🖥️ BetMGM North Carolina ⭐ Best Sports Betting Site for NC Bettors
🖥️ FanDuel North Carolina ⭐ Popular Sportsbook Site with Loads of Bonuses
🖥️ bet365 North Carolina ⭐ Global Powerhouse with Early Payout Feature and Bet Boosts
🖥️ Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Top NC Sports Betting Site for Promotions
🖥️ DraftKings North Carolina ⭐ User-Friendly Sports Betting Site with Competitive Odds
🖥️ Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina ⭐ Newcomer NC Betting Site with Incredible Rewards Program

Many of the country’s best online sportsbooks have launched in the state after receiving the green light from the North Carolina Lottery Commission. Major operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM, are now live in more than 20 legal jurisdictions

Top NC Sports Betting Sites

ESPN BETPartnered with Quail Hollow Club
BetMGM Partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway
FanDuelPartnered with PGA Tour
bet365Partnered with Charlotte Hornets
Caesars Sportsbook Partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
DraftKingsPartnered with NASCAR
Fanatics SportsbookPartnered with Carolina Hurricanes

These sportsbooks are competing to offer the best welcome bonuses in a bid to attract new players, so you can now take advantage of the exciting BetMGM bonus code and the Caesars Sportsbook promo code offers.

The bet365 North Carolina bonus code and ESPN BET North Carolina promo code are also top-shelf promos, as is the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina promo code welcome bonus.

See BetMGM.com for Terms. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. New Customer Offer. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

What Sports Betting Options are Legal in North Carolina?

The North Carolina sports betting bill online legalized wagering on professional and college sports, so you now wager on both NBA betting sites and college basketball betting sites.

The top NC online sports betting operators cover more than 20 sports in tremendous depth, leading with football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, MMA, tennis, boxing, college sports and NASCAR, plus eSports. 

They are taking bets on a large array of worldwide events, and you can choose from hundreds of betting options, including spreads, totals, moneylines, props, parlays, round robins, teasers and futures.

Horse Betting in North Carolina

The bill signed by Gov. Cooper also permits betting on horse racing. North Carolina is currently one of just 10 states in which pari-mutuel horse racing bets are prohibited, along with Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. That will all change now that HB 347 has been approved, so leading racebooks such as TwinSpires, TCG and FanDuel Racing could now expand into the Tar Heel State.

North Carolina and DFS

Daily Fantasy Sports have been legal in North Carolina for years. The top two providers are FanDuel and DraftKings, and they are highly likely to enjoy a similar status in the North Carolina online sports betting industry, as they are the two most popular online sportsbooks in America. They offer some of the most appealing FanDuel North Carolina promo code offers and DraftKings North Carolina promo code deals.

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

Bettors will be able to wager on college hoops and their favorite sports online once sports betting apps launch in North Carolina. (Photo by Rob Kinnan/Gambling-websites.net Sports)

Responsible Gaming in North Carolina

It is important to only wager at licensed, regulated online sportsbooks in NC. They are guaranteed to grade bets fairly, pay out on time and have implemented strict measures when it comes to responsible gambling.

The best North Carolina online sportsbooks allow you to set time limits, bet limits and deposit limits on your account. You can also take a cooling-off period or self-exclude. They provide tips and advice on how to bet responsibly, along with guidance on how to avoid developing a gambling problem.

NC online sports betting sites link to support agencies too, such as the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling.

See BetMGM.com for Terms. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. New Customer Offer. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.

Our Expert Conclusion on The Best North Carolina Sportsbooks

We expect North Carolina to quickly become one of the largest and most competitive online sports betting markets in the country. It is off to a great start, with some of the best online sportsbooks – BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook – already operating in the state. North Carolinians and visitors to the state can now wager on sports in their backyards and around the world

North Carolina Sports Betting FAQs

Retail sports betting has been legal in North Carolina at tribal casinos since 2019 and a bill to legalize online sports betting and retail wagering at pro sports venues was signed in 2025. Online sports betting went live in the state on March 11, 2025.
Yes, you can bet on sports online in North Carolina. Eight online sportsbooks were granted licenses by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, which regulates the industry in the state. They began accepting bets online on March 11, 2025, the first day they were able to under the law.
Yes, online sports betting is now legal in North Carolina. This means that you can wager online with your choice of eight online sportsbooks such as ESPN BET and BetMGM.
In-person sports betting was already legal in NC and since March 11, 2025, online sports betting has become legal. Eight online sportsbooks are now accepting bets, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, ESPN BET, DraftKings, bet365 and FanDuel.
The legal gambling age for NC sports betting is 21. You also need to be 21 to bet at tribal casinos, although you can play the lottery at 18 or older.
ESPN BET, BetMGM, FanDuel bet365, Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings are all legal for online sports betting in North Carolina.

More Resources on North Carolina Sports Betting

North Carolina Betting AppsSee all the leading North Carolina betting apps.
North Carolina Sportsbook PromosSee all the best North Carolina sportsbook promos.
North Carolina Sports Betting TaxFind out more about the North Carolina betting tax laws.
BetMGM NCLearn more about the BetMGM North Carolina bonus code USATODAY for $150 in bonus bets with $5 first bet.
Caesars Sportsbook NC Learn more about the Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina promo code USATODAYNC for a bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets offer.

Affiliate Disclosure: At Gambling-websites.net, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling-websites.net will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you.

  1. Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
    green tick Earn Rewards Through PENN Play Loyalty Program.
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    ESPN BET, your #1 place for sports stories, is now the way to enhance your love of the game with a sports betting experience
  2. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. New Customer Offer. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
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    FanDuel Sports
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    More Details Up Arrow
    Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets
    Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
    green tick Free Entries for Both New & Existing Players
    green tick Large Prize Pools & Excellent Rewards Program
    green tick Exclusive Contests and Mega Payouts
    Promo Code
    information icon
    NOT REQUIRED
    Live Streaming
    YES
    Live Betting
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    Cashout
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    Same-Game Parlay
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    Sports Offered
    18
    FanDuel has been a major player in DFS since 2009 and offers some of the biggest prize pools in fantasy sports. There is a varied selection of contests, including head-to-heads, snake drafts and private tournaments.
  4. Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov.
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    DraftKings Sports
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    Gambling problem? Call 877-718-5543 or visit http://morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be 21+ to participate & present in NC only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at http://draftkings.com/sportsbook/nc . Ends 04/14/24 at 11:59 PM ET. Valid 1 per new customer. Customers who deposit min. $5 AND bet min. $5 will receive an additional $250 in Bonus Bets. Bonus bets must be wagered 1x before any resulting cash winnings can be withdrawn and stake is not included in winnings. Bonus Bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at http://draftkings.com/sportsbook. Play Responsibly.
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Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble.

Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

Alex Davidson  for USAToday.com
Alex Davidson Gambling-websites.net 49 Articles written
Alex Davidson spent five years working at William Hill before becoming a journalist in 2009. He began working as a sports writer and professional tipster in 2014.