North Carolina Online Sports Betting Launch Facts & Key Info

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The first North Carolina sports betting sites launched on March 11, just in time for the 2024 ACC men's basketball tournament and March Madness. Bettors can now create accounts, deposit funds, and start betting on sports online in the Tar Heel State.

Sports betting was previously legal in North Carolina, but only at retail sportsbooks in the state’s tribal casinos. With online sports betting going live, legal sports betting is now available anywhere in the state.

Here’s an overview of how online sports betting finally came to NC and what you can expect to find at the new NC sports betting apps.

Key developments in NC sports betting launch

Here is a brief timeline of recent developments for North Carolina online sports betting.

• March 11, 2024: The first North Carolina online sportsbooks launch.
• March 4, 2024: The Carolina Panthers annouce a sports betting partnership with FanDuel.
• March 1, 2024: Pre-registration opens for NC online sportsbooks in advance of the March 11 launch.
• Feb. 29, 2024: The North Carolina Lottery Commission announces eight sportsbooks have been licensed and approved to go live when sports betting begins March 11.
• Feb. 19, 2024: The NCLC says pre-registration can start March 1 for NC sportsbook accounts.
• Jan. 30, 2024: Caesars and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announce a mobile sports betting partnership, which allows Caesars Sportsbook to enter the NC online market.
• Jan. 24, 2024: The NCLC unveils an online sports betting launch date of March 11.
• Jan. 23, 2024: Underdog announces it partnered with Sedgefield Country Club for online NC sports betting market access.
• Jan. 5, 2024: DraftKings and NASCAR announce a North Carolina online sports betting partnership, while BetMGM and Charlotte Motor Speedway similarly announce a deal to enable BetMGM market access in NC.
• Dec. 29, 2023: The NCLC announces seven operators met the recommended application deadline to be eligible to launch on the first day of online sports betting: Bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog Sports. The NCLC also announces that Caesars Entertainment had applied for a service provider license in anticipation of offering online sports betting via its relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
• Dec. 27, 2023: The window for the first round of online sports betting applications closes.
• Dec. 15, 2023: Fanatics and the Carolina Hurricanes announce they have partnered for NC online sports betting.
• Dec. 7, 2023: FanDuel and the PGA Tour join forces to help make FanDuel eligible to offer online sports betting in NC.
• Dec. 5, 2023: Penn Entertainment announces a partnership with the Quail Hollow Club to pave the way for ESPN Bet to offer online sports betting in NC.
• Nov. 18, 2023: The Charlotte Hornets and Bet365 announce a partnership deal.

Which NC sports betting apps have launched?

Eight online sportsbooks secured partnerships and launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024:

• Bet365 North Carolina (partnered with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets)
• BetMGM North Carolina (partnered with the Charlotte Motor Speedway)
• Caesars North Carolina (partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
• ESPN Bet North Carolina (partnered with the Quail Hollow Club)
• Fanatics North Carolina (partnered with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes)
• FanDuel North Carolina (partnered with the Carolina Panthers and PGA Tour)
• Underdog Sports NC (partnered with Sedgefield Country Club)

The three in-state organizations still available for sports betting partners are Charlotte FC (MLS), the NC Courage (NWSL), and North Wilkesboro Speedway. The Catawba Nation tribe also has an online sports betting license available.

NC online sports betting expansion

After multiple failed attempts to legalize online sports betting in NC, including a one-vote near-miss in 2022, lawmakers finally passed HB 347 last June. The new law charges the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) with overseeing the licensing and regulation of NC online sports betting.

During the fall and winter months of 2023, the NC Lottery Commission drafted multiple rounds of rules that further shaped exactly how online sports betting would look. Among the changes, regulators removed language regarding esports and fantasy sports from the rules while approving a list of 45 sports for legal online betting.

Most importantly, the rules stipulate operators must partner with either a professional sports franchise in NC, a sports venue, or an entity like NASCAR and the PGA Tour in order to apply for and receive one of the NC sports betting licenses from the commission. The revised rules also reduced the number of licenses the commission can award from 12 to 11.

Note that the state’s two federally recognized Native American tribes are already authorized to offer sports betting thanks to their tribal-state compacts. The tribes are eligible to offer online sports betting as well. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has partnered with Caesars.

When Gov. Cooper signed HB 347 into law, the bill stipulated online sports betting could not launch in NC before Jan. 8, 2024, but no later than June 14, 2024 (i.e., one year after the bill was signed).

How to get welcome bonuses at NC online sportsbooks

All of the new North Carolina online sports betting sites have welcome offers for new sign-ups. These promos generally award bonuses for creating a new account and/or for making an initial deposit. Be sure to use the links and bonus codes on this page to receive these bonuses when you create new NC online sportsbook accounts. 

Here is some more information about our favorite NC online sportsbook welcome offers, each of which is available right now!

FanDuel NC Welcome Offer

• FanDuel offer: Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets
• FanDuel NC promo code: No code needed; click this FanDuel NC link to get the offer

BetMGM NC Welcome Offer

• BetMGM offer: Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly in Bonus Bets (Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms)
• BetMGM NC promo code: PLAYSPORT

Bet365 NC Welcome Offer

• Bet365 offer: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets OR First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
• Bet365 NC bonus code:FPBNC

DraftKings NC Welcome Offer

• DraftKings offer: Get up to $1,300 in bonuses
• DraftKings NC promo code: No code needed; click this DraftKings NC link to get the offer

Mobile sportsbook licensing in NC

As noted, in North Carolina, online sportsbook operators must partner with a pro sports team, an approved golf course or race track, or the PGA or NASCAR in order to be eligible for a license. The two NC tribes are also each eligible to offer online sports betting under the terms of their tribal-state compacts.

The fee for an interactive sports wagering license is $1 million, payable at the time the operators apply, and licenses will have to be renewed every five years. Gross gaming revenue from online sports betting will be taxed at 18%. That revenue will be used in a variety of ways, with money earmarked to fund responsible gambling programs, youth sports programs, 13 state universities’ athletics departments, the NC General Fund, and the NC Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund.

Service providers and sports wagering suppliers with whom the operators work also have to apply for licenses. Caesars Entertainment, operator of the two Harrah’s casinos in NC, has applied for a service provider license as it intends to launch the online Caesars Sportsbook in NC under the auspices of the Cherokee tribe’s online sports betting license.

When will more NC retail sportsbooks launch?

Currently, there are three retail sportsbooks up and running in North Carolina, one each at the state’s three tribal casinos:

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee)
• Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel (Murphy)
• Catawba Two Kings Casino (Kings Mountain)

The new law expanding NC sports betting also authorizes additional retail sportsbooks across the state. The law allows in-person sports wagering within 1.5 miles of the following eight professional sports facilities in NC:

• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (Charlotte)
• North Wilkesboro Speedway (Greensboro)
• PNC Arena (Raleigh)
• Quail Hollow Country Club (Charlotte)
• Sedgefield Country Club (Greensboro)
• Spectrum Center (Charlotte)
• WakeMed Soccer Park (Cary)

No launch plans or dates have been announced as yet for the new North Carolina retail sportsbooks. It is unlikely any of the retail locations will be going live before online sports betting launches in the state on March 11.

What sports can I bet on in North Carolina?

Online sportsbooks in North Carolina can take bets on both professional and college sports. Note that in North Carolina, you can wager on games involving in-state colleges and universities. This is not the case in several other states.

All of the most popular sports are on the list of sports you can bet on in NC. These include:

• Australian Rules Football
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Football
• Golf
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• MMA
• Motorsports
• Olympic Games
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Volleyball

If you’re into betting on more obscure sports, the list goes on:

• Badminton
• Bowling
• Cycling
• Darts
• Jai-Alai
• Pesapallo (Finnish baseball)
• Pool
• Rodeo
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Water Polo

Sportsbooks can even accept bets on Major League Eating Sanctioned Events such as Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Note, however, that esports are not among the allowed sports, nor can sportsbooks take bets on awards shows like the Oscars.

NC sports betting FAQ

When can I bet on sports in North Carolina?

On March 11, 2024, online sports betting in North Carolina went live at eight NC sports betting sites. You can also wager on sports in person at NC’s three tribal casinos.

How can I bet on sports online in North Carolina?

Online sports betting was legalized in NC in June 2023, and the launch of the first NC online sportsbooks happened March 11, 2024. You don't have to be an NC resident to bet on the sites, but you will have to be at least 21 years old and physically located in the state.

What sports betting apps are legal in North Carolina?

The eight online sportsbooks that went live in NC on March 11, 2024 were FanDuel, BetMGM, Bet365, DraftKings, Caesars, Fanatics, ESPN Bet and Underdog Sports.

Are more retail sportsbooks launching in North Carolina?

The new law authorizing expanded sports betting in NC allows for up to eight more retail sportsbooks to open at various locations throughout the state. Currently, there are three retail sportsbooks open at the state’s three tribal casinos. The new sportsbooks could open at various pro sports venues across NC (see above), but there have been no announcements yet.

Can I use DraftKings in NC?

Yes. DraftKings was among the online sportsbooks that went live in NC on March 11, 2024.

Is Bet365 legal in North Carolina?

Yes, Bet365 is among the eight sportsbooks licensed to operate in North Carolina as well. 

If you make a purchase after clicking on links within this article, Lee Enterprises may earn affiliate commissions. The news and editorial departments had no role in the creation or display of this content.

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