There is no shortage of excellent sites for casino gambling in North Carolina. Residents of the Tar Heel State can enjoy popular games like slots, blackjack, and video poker via offshore casino sites.
Our team has tracked down the best North Carolina online casinos, all of which offer attractive bonuses and promotions. Read on to learn about our top-rated NC online casino sites, the state’s gambling laws, and more.
North Carolinians have access to a variety of trusted and reputable real money casinos. These sites have loads of perks, from welcome bonuses and banking options to hundreds of games from the industry’s leading software providers.
If you want to learn about the best NC online casinos, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Below, we share our top-ranked gambling sites for residents of the Old North State, highlighting the benefits and advantages of each one.
DuckyLuck Casino has the games, bonuses, and platform to vault it to the top of our list of online casinos for North Carolinians. The site hosts over 600 games, including a strong contingent of live dealer games from Fresh Deck Studios.
Their bonuses start with a massive 500%-match welcome bonus that swells to 600% if you deposit with cryptocurrency. And the site itself makes it easy to find games, starting with slots that are categorized by theme and developer.
If you choose mobile play, DuckyLuck is easy to access, and the games run flawlessly. North Carolina still prohibits online casinos within its borders, but Tar Heel gamblers needn’t miss out on anything with this site as their offshore alternative.
Customer service is vitally important when it comes to gambling online, as most players want to feel cared for at all times. It’s safe to say that Bovada goes above and beyond to help its customers with any issue or query.
Not only does the site have a useful contact form, but there is also 24/7 live chat support available. Additionally, Bovada has a detailed FAQ section that contains loads of helpful information, so you might not have to contact the support team.
Many rival sites offer limited customer service options, while some online casinos are virtually impossible to contact. However, Bovada is among the best in the business in terms of customer support.
Many slots players know about Hot Drops, the scramble for big prizes awarded randomly and regularly. At Ignition, the contest consists of nine of the most popular slots, including A Night with Cleo, 777 Deluxe, and Golden Buffalo.
To enter the contest, just click on Hot Drop on the Ignition Casino menu and choose one of the games to play. A panel will pop up to let you know the jackpot sizes and when they must drop.
There is an hourly jackpot usually worth around $1,000, a daily prize that averages $25,000, and an Epic Jackpot that is unlimited (when we dropped by, it was climbing past $400,000).
The jackpots drop randomly, but if one is near its deadline to drop, you’ll see a flame on the display. All you do is play the game and hope your timing is right.
Folks in the Tar Heel State have just three land-based casinos with Class III slots, and they are in out-of-the-way places for most residents. So, having a progressive at your doorstep is a bonus.
No one likes losing, but The Online Casino makes it more palatable by paying you back some of your losses. That’s right; each week you get back 10% of your losses from the week before.
For example, if you lose $200 during a week, you can expect $20 back the following Monday. And you don’t have to do anything but play during the week. The rebates are automatically credited to your account every Monday. It’s the closest thing to a casino comp that you will find outside NC’s three tribal casinos.
And its value tops most online casino rewards programs. The Online Casino also offers a bonus of up to $1,500 for referring friends, but that reward comes with a 30x rollover.
Wild Casino players who get bored with playing against the house have a chance to take on each other. There are more contests and tournaments at Wild Casino than we’ve seen at most sites.
We particularly noticed the cash tournaments and free roll tournaments that offered prize pools of $500 to $15,000. The competitions, which last for a day to a week, award points according to bet amounts and return. You wager real money in the cash tournaments and are allotted coins for the free rolls.
The prize money is usually divided as many as 50 ways, but we saw a couple of winner-take-all free rolls such as the $1,000 Dog House Bonanza slot event.
Assess your chances by checking the clock and going to the leaderboard of each game. The big cash tournament is the $15,000 Turkey Royale slot that offers a $1,900 first prize down to $10 for making the top 50. But there are more than slot competitions. We also saw roulette, 3-card poker, and blackjack tournaments in progress.
| Casino | Welcome Bonus | Rollover | Min. Deposit | Number of Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuckyLuck Casino | 500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins | 30x | $20 | 750+ |
| Bovada | 125% up to $3,750 | 25x (1st Deposit), 50x (2nd and 3rd Deposits) | $20 | 600+ |
| Ignition | 300% up to $3,000 | 25x | $5 | 580+ |
| The Online Casino | 500% up to $1,000 | 50x | $10 | 350+ |
| Wild Casino | 250 Free Spins | 1x | $10 | 1,000+ |
Here at GamblingNerd.com, we have a meticulous process for rating and ranking gambling sites. As a result, all of our recommended US online casinos meet specific requirements, from safety and security to game selection and bonuses.
We have assessed dozens of gambling sites, but not all online casinos satisfy our standards. If you’re a resident of the Tar Heel State, you will be delighted to hear that our favored NC casino sites score top marks in each of the following areas.
Naturally, all of our recommended sites for casino gambling in North Carolina are available to players throughout the state. Although the best ones are offshore sites, they are ideal for citizens of the Old North State.
We always ensure that online casinos hold official licenses and are regulated by trustworthy organizations. On top of that, we only endorse sites that utilize up-to-date TLS encryption software and implement data storage measures.
North Carolinians can access lots of exciting bonuses and promotions, many of which outshine the offers that land-based casinos serve up.
All of our favored sites have generous welcome bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, fair maximum cashout limits, clear game contributions, and terms that don’t change after you opt in.
One of the best things about gambling online is the unrivalled selection of games from elite-level software providers.
Whether you want to play slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, or any other type of game, our recommended online casinos won’t let you down.
Every online gambler should be entitled to attentive customer support. Accordingly, we only endorse sites that offer a range of contact methods, from phone and email to live chat support. Plus, most of our recommended sites are contactable 24/7.
Considering that North Carolina is home to only a handful of land-based casinos, we understand the importance of mobile gaming to NC players. Our top-ranked sites work seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, enabling mobile users to access all the same perks.
As previously discussed, there are no state-regulated online casinos in North Carolina. However, gamblers in NC can access a variety of offshore sites if they want to play casino games online.
That said, North Carolina does permit several other forms of online gambling under state law. Most notably, legal online sports betting launched statewide in March 2024, allowing state’s residents to use leading sports betting sites to wager on their favorite leagues and teams.
North Carolina allows online lottery sales through the North Carolina Education Lottery, as well as online Daily Fantasy Sports contests, which are regulated separately from casino gambling.
Pari-mutuel horse race betting is also permitted via licensed advance-deposit wagering platforms, giving players another legal online betting option beyond sportsbooks.
The key distinction is that North Carolina has chosen to regulate sports betting and certain wagering activities, but has not moved toward authorizing real money online casinos. Until that changes, offshore casino sites remain the only option for NC players looking to play casino games online.
North Carolina Gambling Rules You Should KnowEven though North Carolina does not regulate online casinos internally, the state still has clear rules around gambling.
These cover who can legally gamble, which forms of wagering are permitted, and which authorities oversee gambling activity within the state.
What Is the Gambling Age in North Carolina?
The legal North Carolina gambling age ranges from 18 to 21. NC residents can participate in the state lottery at 18, as well as charity games like bingo.
North Carolinians must be 21 to gamble at the state’s land-based casinos, although some offshore casino sites accept players aged 18 and over.
Who Regulates Gambling in North Carolina?
Since there are no commercial casinos or regulated online casinos in the state, North Carolina has a compact with two federally-recognized Native American tribes. Consequently, land-based gambling is regulated by these tribes.
The Tribal Gaming Commission for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians regulates all gaming activities on Eastern Cherokee Lands, meaning they are responsible for both Harrah’s casinos.
Meanwhile, the Tribal Gaming Commission for the Catawba Indian Nation regulates Catawba Two Kings on Catawba Nation land.
As for sports betting and horse racing, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission is responsible for the licensing and regulation of that market, under the Sports Wagering and Pari-Mutuel Wagering law.
North Carolina Gambling OverviewDo You Pay Taxes on Gambling in North Carolina?
North Carolina taxes gambling winnings, regardless of whether the activity takes place online or in person. Any real money winnings from casino games, sports betting, horse racing, or lottery play are considered taxable income at the state level.
Currently, North Carolina applies a flat 4.75% state income tax on gambling winnings. These winnings must be reported on your state tax return, even if the gambling site does not automatically withhold taxes from your payout.
Offshore casinos typically do not withhold state or federal taxes, which means the responsibility to report winnings falls entirely on you.
Not all forms of online gambling are legal in North Carolina. The state’s gambling laws now permit online sports betting. That means North Carolina doesn’t have a regulated online casino market.
That said, NC citizens can access a host of offshore online casinos, and have in-person gambling options.
Although the state has no commercial casinos, tribal casinos are permitted, along with the state lottery, in-person sports betting, and fantasy sports.
| Type of Gambling – Status | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Online Casinos – Offshore Only | North Carolina doesn’t have a regulated online casino market, but NC residents can access offshore casino sites. |
| Online Poker – Offshore Only | Although North Carolina has no regulated online poker rooms, NC citizens can play poker games via offshore casinos. |
| Land-Based Casinos – Available | Commercial casinos are prohibited in North Carolina, but the state has three tribal casinos. |
| State Lottery – Available | The NC Education Lottery was established in August 2005 after the North Carolina State Lottery Act was signed into law. |
| Online Sports Betting – Available | In March 2024, North Carolina became the latest US state to legalize online sports betting. |
| Land-Based Sportsbooks -Available | North Carolina legalized land-based sports betting in July 2019. |
| Fantasy Sports – Available | While Fantasy Sports are legal in North Carolina, the state legislature has yet to pass any regulations for the industry. |
North Carolina is home to three land-based casinos, all of which are owned by Native American tribes. At present, commercial casinos are prohibited in the Old North State.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns two of the three casinos in NC: Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
The other venue – Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain – is owned by the Catawba Indian Nation.
People have been gambling in North Carolina casinos since the state’s first brick-and-mortar establishment opened its doors in November 1997. Since then, players have been able to enjoy a selection of slot machines, table games, poker variants, and sports betting opportunities.
North Carolina has one of the youngest lottery systems in the country. The NC Education Lottery sold its first ticket in 2006 and has since collected more than $10 million in net proceeds.
It is worth noting that 100% of the lottery’s net proceeds go to the state’s education system. This money helps pay for projects like school construction, transportation, salaries for education staff, and pre-kindergarten aid.
Here are the in-house draw games available:
Here are the multi-jurisdictional games on offer:
The NC Lottery also offers digital instants, fast play games, and scratch-offs.
| Casino | Address | Phone Number | Gambling Options | Operated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino Resort | 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719 | 828-497-7777 | 160+ table games, 3,000+ slots, poker, sportsbook | Owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars Entertainment. |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel | 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906 | 828-422-7777 | 60+ table games, 1,000+ slots, poker, sportsbook | Owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars Entertainment. |
| Catawba Two Kings Casino | 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 | 704-750-7777 | 1,000+ slots, electronic table games | Owned by the Catawba Indian Nation and managed by Delaware North. |
Due to the varying rules and regulations regarding real money gambling across the United States, North Carolina’s gambling laws are not the same as their neighboring states.
So, how do NC’s laws compare to their neighbors?
South Carolina and Georgia have some of the strictest gambling laws in the entire country. These states have no land-based or online casinos, while sports betting is prohibited. The only forms of gambling allowed in SC and GA that are state-regulated are lotteries and charitable games.
To the west, Tennessee also has relatively tight gambling laws. Here, there are no brick-and-mortar casinos, no charitable games, and no online gambling of any kind. That said, sports betting is permitted at certain physical venues.
NC’s northern neighbor, Virginia, employs a more relaxed approach to casino gaming. VA residents have access to commercial casinos, in-person sports betting, and other forms of gambling. However, there is no regulated real money online casino market in Virginia.
Future of Online Casinos in NCIf recent developments are anything to go by, the NC online gambling industry has a bright future. Following the launch of legal online sports betting in March 2024, there is a sense that a regulated online casino market could be next.
As things stand, seven US states permit regulated real money online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.
Considering that each of these states also allows online sports betting, North Carolina could follow suit in the not-too-distant future.
For the time being, gamblers can utilize our recommended NC online casinos – which are all offshore sites – to play their favorite games via the internet. In our eyes, this is a great compromise!
While we endorse the best NC online casinos, it’s also our duty to highlight the issues surrounding gambling addiction. If you or anyone you know is struggling with problem gambling, we urge you to make use of the helpful responsible gambling resources below.
With in-person gambling options limited in the Tar Heel State, the best North Carolina online casino sites give residents the chance to enjoy their favorite games from the comfort of their own homes.
Sure, the state has yet to regulate online casinos, but there are lots of reliable offshore sites available to NC players. You’ll have access to popular real money games, competitive bonuses, and modern payment options.
By choosing established, properly licensed casinos and understanding how the state’s laws work, NC players can gamble online safely and responsibly while the legal landscape continues to evolve.
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