The best online casinos in North Carolina 2024

• Security and fairness

  We only recommend safe, secure, and legal online casinos. We do a full background check for each and every gambling site. Plus, all of our recommended sites offer sophisticated security systems. We look for up-to-date SSL encryption software to ensure your personal and financial data is safe at any North Carolina casino.

• Bonuses

  We expect top North Carolina casinos to reward both new and loyal players with generous perks and prizes. Any online site should offer attractive welcome bonuses and generous coin packages. In particular, we look for at least 250-500 coins in any welcome package, plus regular rewards on a daily or weekly basis.

• Game selection

  As standard, we look for a minimum of 250 casino games at any North Carolina casino site. However, the best casinos will offer well over 700 unique games to play. We look for a range of slot games from top developers as well as other gambling games like poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and more.

• Mobile and app casinos

  It goes without saying, but any gaming site needs to be optimized for mobile. We only recommend casinos that have responsive sites that work in a mobile browser. Plus, we look for at least 90% of desktop games to be available on mobile. Bonus points go to casinos that have dedicated North Carolina casino apps!

• Banking methods

  Sites that offer flexible banking options rank highly on our list. North Carolina players can expect to find popular and secure options like bank cards, prepaid cards, and e-wallets. We look for a minimum of 10 reputable and trusted payment options at any gaming site.

• Customer support

  Speed, efficiency, and availability are things we assess with a casino’s customer support services. Our team of experts looks for 24/7 customer support, extensive FAQ pages, and knowledgeable staff. We test each casino and send genuine queries to assess just how trustworthy they really are.

Online gambling’s legal status in North Carolina

Online gambling is not 100% legal in North Carolina. Real money online casinos are not permitted, though online betting is a different story. North Carolina was the 30th state in the US to offer legal online sports betting. In June 2023, Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 which means up to 12 interactive sports wagering licenses can be granted in the state.

Below is a quick snapshot of the legal status of gambling in NC. All information is up to date at the time of writing, though be sure to check your local legislation for the latest news.

What is the legal gambling age in North Carolina?

Players must be 21 or over to gamble at a land-based casino or sportsbook. Anyone 18 or above can legally wager on the state lottery and participate in raffles or bingo games. Most states allow pari-mutuel horse wagering from 18, but since all horse betting occurs within the state’s tribal casinos, the minimum age in North Carolina is 21.

Are there taxes on gambling winnings?

Any money earned from an NC casino or sportsbook is subject to tax. All gambling winnings will be taxed at a flat rate of 24%. If the profit from a wager is more than 300x the bet or has been won in a sweepstake, lottery, or wagering pool, it will be subject to income tax withholding.

How is gambling in North Carolina regulated?

The casinos on tribal reservations are regulated independently of the state by the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC). The TGC was established in 1993 to implement the laws and protocols of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988) as part of the tribal-state gaming compacts that allow retail casinos.

Free social and sweepstake casinos are legal to play at since they don’t allow real money gambling. Because they operate across the whole of the US they do not hold individual state licenses. Instead, they are independently audited by testing agencies like eCOGRA for fairness and security.

Which NC online casinos could be available in the future?

The situation around North Carolina gambling sites is always in flux. Though there's no sign of state legislation changing soon, there are lots of theories about what could happen. When it comes to online casinos, there are a few brands that players believe would be interested in operating in North Carolina. The biggest bets are around the most well-known and respected names that are already operating in other US states. Though nothing has been confirmed, some of the most likely real money North Carolina casino sites could include:

• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• Betway
• FanDuel
• Caesars Palace Online Casino
• DraftKings Casino

Welcome bonuses

Sign up bonuses, also known as welcome offers, are standard at any North Carolina casino. Typically, you'll receive a coin package just for signing up and that can include millions of gold coins. Plus, there are usually additional packages that you can purchase which might include extra gold coins or free spins at a discounted rate. These are reserved exclusively for new players.

No deposit bonuses

No deposit bonuses don't exist at social online casinos. However, you can still claim a casino bonus without making a purchase. Any good North Carolina online casino will offer regular free coins just for logging in. You'll often get rewards via social media contests, by referring a friend, or even just as a birthday bonus. No purchase offers are an excellent way for new players to test out the latest slots or casino games without spending real money.

Deposit match offers

Deposit match bonuses give you an additional reward on top of your first deposit. The casino will boost your real money bankroll with additional casino credit, whether it's a 50%, 100%, or 300% match. Remember that this offer will have wagering requirements and an expiry date attached.

Free spins

The bread-and-butter of casino bonuses, free spins are slot stakes that don’t use real money. Most social casinos will give you a large amount of its currency to get started, but some will give you free spins instead. Although some sites limit free spins to a handful of games, others give you free rein to spend them on whichever slots you like.

Loyalty/VIP program

Loyalty programs are a staple of online casinos. Most revolve around a tiered structure where casual players can earn free spins and cashback. However, VIP programs reward the highest rollers, offering non-casino perks like event invitations and personal account managers.

• Debit cards
• Credit cards
• Bank transfers
• Prepaid cards
• e-Wallets
• Bitcoin

• North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling

  North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling is service that educates, supports, and advocates for people suffering from gambling addiction, as well as supporting family and friends of someone suffering.

• North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline

  A 24-hour freephone service that is available to those suffering from problem gambling. You can contact them on 877-718-5543.

• North Carolina Division of Mental Health

  The North Carolina Division of Mental Health runs the NC Problem Gambling Program to provide prevention, education, outreach, and treatment services across NC.

• Gamblers Anonymous

  Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experiences to help others that are battling their addictions.