Best North Carolina Sports Betting Sites
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The industry’s biggest brands are already operating in the newly-minted North Carolina sports betting scene.
Top sportsbooks in NC
Despite only recently legalizing online sports betting in March 2024, there are numerous online sportsbooks currently operating in the Tar Heel State.
By the end of this page, you will know how the best North Carolina sportsbooks are ranked and what they each offer.
North Carolina betting: Key details
Online sportsbooks available | 8 |
Legal sports betting age | 21+ |
Sports betting regulator | North Carolina State Lottery Commission |
Types of sports betting available | Online, retail, college sports |
Reviewing the best sportsbooks in North Carolina
Here’s how we rank the best sportsbooks in North Carolina in 2024. We go through the welcome bonuses and what we think are the strengths of each brand.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins + 3 months of NBA League Pass
Other types of promotions: SGP parlay boost, profit boosts, SGP insurance
Strengths of FanDuel:
- Well-rounded experience
- Elite mobile app
App ratings: 4.9 (Apple), 4.7 (Google)
Seeing FanDuel this high on the list of best North Carolina betting sites should come as no surprise, being that it’s the most-used sportsbook in America (it has the biggest market share).
Many users would agree that FanDuel Sportsbook boasts the best mobile app experience in the business, which is ideal for live betting and wagering from wherever you are.
FanDuel went live in North Carolina in March 2024 through partnership deals with both the PGA Tour and the Carolina Panthers. Notably, FanDuel provides great futures odds for PGA Major Tournaments.
bet365 Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR first bet insurance up to $1,000
Other types of promotions: Early payouts, bet boosts, parlay boosts
Strengths of bet365:
- Incredible promos
- Coverage of international sports
App ratings: 4.8 (Apple), 4.6 (Google)
bet365 Sportsbook also entered the North Carolina sports betting market when it went live in March 2024 by inking an exclusive multiyear deal with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
First and foremost, bet365 has an extensive lineup of ongoing promotions for returning players. Offers like early payouts and bet boosts are frequently available at bet365.
The site could use a minor tune-up in terms of navigability and user friendliness, but both the app and the website are certainly serviceable.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: First bet insurance up to $1,500
Other types of promotions: Bonus bet tokens, parlay boosts, bet insurance
Strengths of BetMGM:
- Sleek user interface
- Great ongoing promotions
App ratings: 4.8 (Apple), 4.4 (Google)
North Carolinians will be happy to know that BetMGM Sportsbook is available in their state, and has been since March 2024. Notably, it was the Charlotte Motor Speedway that inked a deal with BetMGM.
Few, if any, North Carolina sportsbooks provide their customers with as many promotional offers as BetMGM. Meanwhile, the brand features a sleek user interface, and arguably the best desktop layout of any sportsbook brand.
Caesars Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
Other types of promotions: SGP boosts, profit boosts
Strengths of Caesars:
- Best futures odds,
- New and improved mobile app
App ratings: 4.7 (Apple), 4.3 (Google)
Caesars Sportsbook was another entrant in March 2024 when NC sports betting went live, through a deal with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
The Caesars brand is synonymous with betting, and they have a lot to offer in the online sports betting industry, including their new and improved mobile app that is among the game’s best.
In addition to that, not many sportsbooks can compete with the futures odds available at Caesars, which holds true for all of the Carolina teams.
Fanatics Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: Bet and get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
Strengths of Fanatics:
- Impressive user experience
- FanCash
App ratings: 4.8 (Apple), 4.7 (Google)
Fanatics Sportsbook, a subsidiary of Fanatics Holdings Inc, managed to get in on the action in North Carolina at the same time as all the other operators on this list.
Fanatics Sportsbook itself only went live toward the end of 2023. In North Carolina, they have a partnership agreement with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. The site is already a high quality option. From their effective mobile app to their betting markets, Fanatics impresses.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Welcome bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins
Other types of promotions: Parlay boosts, early wins
Strengths of DraftKings:
- Vast betting markets
- Top-tier mobile app
App ratings: 4.8 (Apple), 4.6 (Google)
DraftKings, the leading competitor of FanDuel (almost always second in market share), officially went live in North Carolina in March 2024. The sportsbook has a deal with NASCAR that gained them market access.
DraftKings Sportsbook delivers its users a great experience from start to finish, providing more betting markets than just about any other sportsbook. DraftKings is a well-rounded sportsbook that excels in every important area for sports bettors.
Best sportsbook welcome offers in North Carolina
Sportsbook | Welcome offer |
---|---|
FanDuel | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins + 3 months of NBA League Pass |
bet365 | Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets OR a $1,000 first bet safety net |
BetMGM | First bet insurance up to $1,500 |
Caesars | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets |
Fanatics | Bet and get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets |
DraftKings | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins |
How to get started with a North Carolina sportsbook
Betting on sports in North Carolina is simple and intuitive. The first thing that you should do, however, is examine the available welcome bonuses within the state.
Once you find a couple that you like, consider registering for more than one sportsbook to benefit from multiple offers.
After deciding which site or sites you want to sign up for, download the sportsbook’s mobile app and follow these easy steps:
- Enter email, create a password
- Provide name, birthdate, address, and mobile number
- Enter last four digits of your social security number
- Agree to the terms and conditions
Importantly, both your identity and location must be verifiable in order for you to successfully activate your new North Carolina sportsbook account. Oftentimes, you will be asked to verify your email and/or upload a piece of government-issued ID to verify your identity.
Once your account is active, you can deposit money. Be sure to consider the site’s welcome offer when making your first real-money deposit, there’s generally a minimum deposit in order to access the bonus.
With a funded account, you will be able to place your first sports wager.
North Carolina sports teams
The state of North Carolina has a very respectable sports scene, which includes franchises from three of the four major sports as well as some of the most renowned college basketball programs in the country.
North Carolina futures odds
Only one professional team has ever won a championship in North Carolina. The Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006. Here are the odds for each North Carolina team to win their league’s next title.
All of the odds in the table below were provided by Caesars Sportsbook at the time of publication.
Team | League | Championship futures odds |
---|---|---|
Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | +900 |
Carolina Panthers | NFL | +250000 |
Charlotte Hornets | NBA | +100000 |
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers in 2006 to win their first and only Stanley Cup. In 2024, they had one of the best records in the Eastern Conference and reached the second round of the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, the next most successful professional sports team in North Carolina is the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers. In their nearly 30-year history, the Panthers have reached and lost two Super Bowls. Currently, they have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl in 2025.
Charlotte Hornets
Lastly, you have the Charlotte Hornets, who compete in the National Basketball Association. The team in which Michael Jordan used to own a majority stake of has yet to reach the NBA Finals. They are looking towards 2025 after missing the playoffs in 2024.
Does North Carolina allow betting on college sports?
You are completely allowed to bet on college sports in North Carolina, both in-state and out-of-state schools. That’s great, because the state is home to two of the most historic and popular college basketball programs in America.
Duke Blue Devils: The Blue Devils are a championship contender year in and year out. In fact, the best North Carolina sportsbooks have Duke as the favorite to cut down the nets in 2025.
North Carolina Tar Heels: While Duke has five national titles, the Tar Heels have six, with one as recently as 2017. North Carolina is also among the favorites to win the title in 2025.
21+ only (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). 21+ and present in DC, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA, or VT. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH and where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Data & text rates may apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Recommended list of North Carolina sportsbooks
Sportsbook | Online betting | Retail betting |
---|---|---|
FanDuel | ✔ | ✔ |
DraftKings | ✔ | ✔ |
BetMGM | ✔ | ✔ |
ESPN BET | ✔ | ✔ |
Caesars | ✔ | ✔ |
bet365 | ✔ | ✔ |
Fanatics | ✔ | ✔ |
Available sports and betting markets in North Carolina
Sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and some others offer essentially every betting market that you could ask for. So, in North Carolina, you have all the betting markets possible.
Football
Betting on the NFL and college football is more popular than any other market. You can place all kinds of bets on the Panthers, including moneyline, spread, over/under, same game parlays, props and futures.
Basketball
Both NBA betting and college basketball betting are very popular across the US. One of the most popular forms of basketball betting is player props, as it’s a very player-dominant sport, but you will find dozens of other betting options as well.
Baseball
Betting on baseball, specifically MLB, is something you can do daily during the season with so many games being available to bet on. Traditional bets, props, same game parlays and futures are all available.
Hockey
The NHL has a whopping 18 player awards each season, and you can bet on who you think will win each honor. On top of that, NHL betting contains moneylines, puck lines, totals, props and same game parlays.
Soccer
Betting on soccer can be a bit different than other sports due to there being so many international tournaments and teams to wager on. The most-known markets include the Premier League and the Champions League.
Golf
Golf betting, particularly the Majors, is well liked throughout the country. An individual sport like golf comes with some different bet types, like tournament winner, top 5 finish, top 10 finish and round leaders, amongst others.
Tennis
Tennis is similar to soccer and golf betting because of the international and individual player aspects. Some unique bet types include the game, set and match betting options.
Sports betting in North Carolina exceeds far past the previously detailed markets. In actuality, you will commonly come across several niche markets such as: rugby, snooker, cricket, handball and others.
Pros and cons of North Carolina sports betting
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Seven of the biggest sportsbooks available | No online casino gambling |
In-state/out-of-state college betting | |
Daily fantasy permitted | |
Retail sports betting locations |
How does North Carolina compare to other states?
North Carolina might be one of the most recent states to legalize online sports betting, but it’s already within the upper echelon of legal sports betting states.
In the state’s first week following the legalization of online sports betting, $141 million was paid out in winnings on an estimated $198.1 million wagered. After the 18% tax cut, roughly $42.7 million in revenue was generated.
According to Sterl Carpenter, a commission executive overseeing sports gambling in NC, North Carolina’s launch appeared “on par” with last year’s rollout in Massachusetts.
Time will tell to see exactly how the North Carolina sports betting industry compares to other states’ business.
North Carolina sports betting news and updates
Again, it was only March 2024 when online North Carolina sports betting went live. It was June 2023 when state Governor Roy Cooper signed the state’s sports betting bill into law. Nine months went by before the official launch.
Before the official launch, sportsbook brands worked diligently to agree to terms with in-state operations to gain licensure. By March 2024, seven of the industry’s biggest brands opened their virtual doors in North Carolina.
By the end of 2024, we will know just how much money the North Carolina online sports betting business has brought into the state.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add’l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, Washington, D.C. (OLG Class A licensed Operator), KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER, MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).
Validated on: December 11, 2024
North Carolina sports betting handle and revenue
Legal sports betting just went live in North Carolina in March 2024. Expect the numbers from March to keep rising as more players get introduced to betting.
Month | Handle | Revenue |
May 2024 | $521.7 million | $63.1 million |
April 2024 | $643.7 million | $105.3 million |
March 2024 | $657.2 million | $66.5 million |
Responsible gambling in North Carolina
North Carolina is intent on promoting responsible gambling to their residents. In fact, they have established the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling, which you can contact via:
- Call: (336)-370-6952
- Website: www.nccouncilpg.org
The resources for those in search of assistance don’t end there. This is highlighted by the National Council on Problem Gambling:
- Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Text: 800GAM
- Chat: 1800gamblerchat.org
Of note, The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will receive $2 million from the sports betting tax revenue fund. This money will be used to fund gambling treatment and recovery services.
Why use an online sportsbook in North Carolina?
North Carolina sports betting is a market on the cusp of exploding after going live earlier in 2024. The industry’s biggest and most respected online sportsbooks are available in The Tar Heel State.
There are several reasons to use an online sportsbook in North Carolina. First and foremost, it gives you the opportunity to heighten your experience as a viewer and a fan.
The state of North Carolina has a strong professional sports sphere, but an even more vibrant college sports scene, which is highlighted by the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils college hoops programs.
Picture yourself sitting down to watch the Blue Devils take on the NC State Wolfpack in an ACC matchup. Each and every one of the best sportsbooks in North Carolina will have a plethora of betting markets for this game, and oftentimes, there will be promos to be had as well.
FAQ
To legally register for and bet at an online sportsbook in North Carolina, you must be 21 years of age or older. No one under that age is permitted to sign up or wager on sports.
Yes, online sports betting officially became legal in the state of North Carolina in March 2024. This came after Governor Roy Cooper signed bill HB 347 into law the June prior.
They sure do. It is The North Carolina Lottery Commission who oversees the sports betting operation within the state, which allows for up to seven sportsbooks to attain licenses.
Anyone over the age of 21 in North Carolina can bet at the following seven sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN BET, Caesars, bet365 and Fanatics.
Yes. North Carolina lawmakers chose not to include any restrictions on college sports betting. Both in-state and out-of-state schools can be wagered on in North Carolina.
Betting on sports in North Carolina is easy. All you need to do is be over the age of 21 and physically located in the state. Then, choose a sportsbook to register for, and create an account. Deposit money into your account and you’ll be ready to go.