North Carolina Online Sports Betting
Several states across the country have started to legalize sports betting. The top sportsbooks and betting sites are going after new legal sports betting markets to gain new users.
What about sports betting in North Carolina? When will online sports betting come to the Tar Heel state? Maybe sooner than anticipated.
Here’s what you need to know about North Carolina sports betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
Yes, while North Carolina sports betting has been legal at retail sportsbooks, the recent bill that moved through the North Carolina senate opened the door for all kinds of sports bets.
There are two Caesars Sportsbooks in the western part of the state. They are both part of tribal casinos. They are Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River.
Another option is a third tribal casino called the Catawba Two Kings.
Online NC sports betting might be able to get off the ground soon due to the latest sports betting bill being passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives. In mid June, that bill made it through the North Carolina General Assembly with a launch timeline of early next year.
The state has push to legalize online sports betting will bring North Carolina residents in step with dozens of other states that have legal sports betting options and mobile sports wagering.
Latest North Carolina Sports Betting News
North Carolina sports betting, while legal, is in a transitionary state. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law on June 14, which authorizes sports betting, paving the way for legal online sports betting.
Prior to that bill, retail sports betting was allowed on Indigenous land like Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and others, but this bill now puts mobile sports betting — whether that be on college sports, horse racing or the Carolina Hurricanes — under the purview of the North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC).
The NCLC will regulate sports betting with everything from online sports betting, retail sports betting off of Indigenous lands and pari-mutuel horse racing wagering falling under its jurisdiction.
The North Carolina House voted in favor of the latest sports betting bill.
In March, the House passed a bill in North Carolina that permits betting on professional and college sports via mobile devices, starting in January. This comes less than a year after a similar bill was narrowly defeated by a single vote.
With Gov. Cooper’s signature, North Carolina moves one step close to legalized sports betting, outside of Indigenous lands.
This marks a huge win for sports wagering and North Carolinians interested in sports gambling. Online sports betting in North Carolina could be a reality as early as January 2024.
Online sports betting would allow bettors to wager on their favorite North Carolina sports from anywhere in the state.
A Massive Overhaul in North Carolina Sports Betting
The house bill would drastically reshape the legal sports betting options for sports fans throughout North Carolina as it would allow up to 12 online operators to take sports bets and eight retail locations.
Currently, North Carolina sports betting is restricted to tribal casinos like Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Catawba Two Kings Casino.
Mobile sports betting could come to North Carolina as early as Jan. 8, 2024 (notably the day of the College Football National Championship Game) according to the recently passed house bill.
That being said, North Carolina sports betting will be officially launched no later than June 14, 2024 — according to the bill, so online sports betting will be available to Tar Heel fans by next summer.
Another critical change are the allowances within the house bill.
In the previous iteration, wagering on college sports was not allowed — college sports betting is in a somewhat gray area in the U.S. as some states allow it completely, while others have specific restrictions around player props and still others have banned it entirely though they allow for professional wagering.
However, HB347 makes it clear that college sports betting, and betting on college events more generally, is legal under the recently passed legislation.
It’s not clear yet how big of a market North Carolina sports betting will be once it’s live but sports betting revenue has been a massive factor in legalization across the country, with states like Illinois and New York using the money to fund education.
The journey to make sports betting legal in North Carolina has been arduous and stalled out at times, so we’ve compiled a list of the most important dates throughout this legislative process, documenting the lengthy process of mobile sports betting in the state and North Carolina sports betting more specifically.
Important Recent Dates in North Carolina Sports Betting
June 14, 2023: North carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB347 which allows for online sports betting, with a slated launch of early 2024.
March 30, 2023: The North Carolina House voted in favor of the latest sports betting bill HB 347. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
March 16. 2023: A new sports betting bill titled HB 347 was filed by Rep. Jason Saine. The bill planned to authorize up to 12 North Carolina sportsbooks for online betting.
February 7, 2023: Senator Phil Berger believes there is enough support for online sports betting in the state of North Carolina.
December 8, 2022: One of the top retail locations in the state, the Catawba Two Kings Casino, faced hefty fines after a federal investigation. The investigation determined the casinos didn’t get approval for a management contract.
Potential North Carolina Online Betting Sites
With legal online sports betting coming to North Carolina, there will be several sports betting sites fighting to get into the state.
Here are a few of the top sportsbooks in the country that could be potential platforms to jump into North Carolina if sports betting legislation is passed. For now, bettors still need to use retail locations.
BetMGM is a popular sportsbook known for its range of solid features that include live betting and the ability to edit bets in your bet slip.
It is a great option for bettors looking for great odds on professional sports, prop bets, and more. BetMGM also offers solid promotions to get started betting.
FanDuel is a well-regarded and trustworthy sportsbook. It is known for having great live betting options making it one of the industry’s best.
It’s an excellent option for bettors searching for betting odds and the famous same-game parlay that FanDuel has put on the map.
PointsBet is a sportsbook that has managed to establish a strong reputation in legal gambling due to some of the unique betting options it offers. These include its famous “Points Betting”.
Moreover, the sportsbook provides attractive offers such as second chance bets for new sports bettors as it tries to compete with the best online sportsbook apps and websites.
Earlier this summer, PointsBet U.S. and Fanatics — the apparel giant that has recently moved into legal sports betting — agreed to a massive acquisition that would give the apparel company a leg up in the existing PointsBet states.
DraftKings is a widely-used and reputable sports betting platform that offers a variety of features, including a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, odds boosts, offers, promotions, and more.
Additionally, DraftKings provides users with solid odds that compare well with the rest of the legal sports betting industry.
Caesars is known for having a great VIP loyalty program. You can start earning money on your spread bets, moneylines, and more right off the bet. It’s one of the best legal sportsbooks out there as you can get promotions, offers, bonuses, and more as you bet.
Also, they are already partnered with tribes in the state. This could prove to be an advantage over other legal online sportsbooks in North Carolina.
With a user-friendly interface and competitive odds, Betfred Sportsbook provides an enjoyable betting experience for both casual and professional bettors. The platform offers various betting options, including live in-play betting, accumulator bets, and cash-out options.
With a sleek and user-friendly interface, Tipico Sportsbook provides an enjoyable betting experience for both new and experienced bettors. The platform offers competitive odds, a variety of betting options including live in-play betting, and a convenient cash-out feature.
BetRivers Sportsbook is a top choice for bettors looking for a reliable and convenient platform to place their bets. The BetRivers Sportsbook provides a seamless betting experience for both casual and professional bettors alike. The platform offers various betting options for users to get in on the action.
Daily Fantasy Sports in North Carolina
Participating in daily fantasy sports competitions is lawful in North Carolina, as the state has not enacted any legislation regulating or taxing DFS contests. Likewise, North Carolina has not banned these contests either.
As a result, individuals can enjoy the popular games provided by DFS operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel while located in the state of North Carolina.
Popular Sports Teams in NC
There are great options to bet on teams in the state at the top sports betting locations. If a sports wagering bill that allows mobile betting is finalized, the top sportsbooks in the state will be flooded with bets on the state’s top college and professional sports teams.
There are the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Hurricanes in professional sports. In terms of colleges, there are several Division I choices such as Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and more.
For now, it looks like betting on college sports is okay. There is no word if an online sports betting bill would place restrictions on in-state college teams like a few other states have done. We will have to wait until they legalize North Carolina online betting to get all the details.
Bet Types with Legal Sportsbooks
There are plenty of betting options and markets for those looking to wager at retail locations in the state. Here are some of the bet types you might see while betting on sports in the state.
Mobile sports betting would drastically reshape the North Carolina sports betting landscape as it would open up the state to the biggest sports betting operators in the country like BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel and more.
Moneylines
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game straight up. You’re betting on the winner. Favorites are usually listed with negative odds while an underdog will have positive odds.
For example, you check betting odds and see the North Carolina Tar Heels are -120 favorites vs NC State. If the Tar Heels are victorious, it would take a $120 bet to win $100.
Point spreads
When you make a point spread bet, you’re betting on the margin of victory or defeat. Each team is given a point value to balance the odds. Point spreads allow you to bet on either team, even if one is heavily favored to win.
For example, you might see the Charlotte Hornets are -5.5 point favorites vs the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets would need to win by six points or more to cover the spread.
Betting lines for point spreads usually come with odds around -110 on both sides. A $110 bet would win $100. Point spreads are one of the most popular bet types.
Totals
When you make a total bet, it’s also known as an over/under bet. You’re betting on the total number of points that both teams will score in the game. The sportsbook will set a line on how many points they think will be scored.
For example, the total for the Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs game is 7.5 runs. For an over bet to win, at least eight runs or more need to be scored in the game. If the game ended 6-4, it would be an over because 10 total runs were scored.
Props
A prop bet is a wager on a specific outcome within a game. Keep in mind, the outcome is not necessarily tied to the final result. Some people find these bets more enjoyable. Sportsbooks offer props on different outcomes for players, teams, and games.
There are a variety of outcomes such as how many points a player will score, how many rebounds a player will have, how many touchdowns a QB will throw for, and more. For example, LaMelo Ball might have his over/under for points set a 21.5. You are betting whether he will be over or under that mark in the game.
Futures
A futures bet is looking at an event or outcome down the road. Betting on which team will win the championship or what player will win the NBA MVP. These odds change throughout the year based on performance, injuries, and more. You can track futures of major sports teams and players on the top online sites throughout the year.
Parlays
A parlay bet is when you combine multiple outcomes into one single bet slip. This gives you a boost in odds but comes with a catch. To win a parlay, all of the bets have to win. With each leg you add to the parlay, the probability of winning the bet goes down.
For example, you can select three NFL teams each to win on a Sunday in the fall. If any of the teams lose, your bet loses. If all the teams win, you receive your payout based on the odds.
Live Betting
There has been a boom in live betting as sports bettors enjoy placing wagers as an event happens. The odds and lines quickly changed based on the action. There are all sorts of live betting options from traditional bets to props and more. You can bet on what will happen on the very next play and more.
North Carolina Online Sports Betting FAQs
Is there legal sports betting in North Carolina?
Yes. You can make sports at retail locations in the state. There isn’t currently online sports betting but that could change soon thanks to legislation.
What are the best North Carolina sports betting sites?
Currently, you cannot bet online on sports in the state. So the top North Carolina sportsbooks have to wait for a bill to legalize before they are allowed to accept bets. Online sports betting could get its start in 2024 pending a vote.
Can I bet on sports betting apps in North Carolina?
No. You currently can’t do any sports betting in NC on mobile apps. You have to visit a retail location at a tribal casino to bet on sports in North Carolina.
What are the top teams to bet on in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a few professional sports teams and many major Division I colleges. In pro sports, you can bet on the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Hornets. In the college ranks, there is Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and more.
