Best North Carolina Sports Betting Sites 2026
North Carolina sports betting is now a fully legal and fast-growing market, supported by regulated mobile operators and strong local engagement across pro and college sports. Since statewide launch, monthly handle and tax receipts have climbed steadily, retail venue proposals are advancing, and lawmakers continue to refine how sports wagering revenue is allocated across public programs and collegiate athletics.
This page serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding how the market works today. We outline the current legal landscape, highlight recent policy shifts and economic signals, explain offshore and daily fantasy options, and detail the sports that drive the most betting interest in North Carolina, from ACC basketball and Hurricanes hockey to Panthers NFL and NASCAR.
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Top North Carolina Sportsbooks in February 2026
Key Takeaways
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BetOnline stands out as the strongest overall choice for North Carolina sports betting in 2026 thanks to the deepest US markets, creative ongoing promos and the most comprehensive SGP tools for college sports. A wager-free $250 in initial free bets is another welcome benefit.
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Online and mobile sports betting are fully legal in North Carolina, with regulated sportsbooks launching statewide in 2024. Esports and DFS are both legal, and horse racing wagering is authorized but not yet fully operational, giving NC a broader regulatory mix than many neighboring states despite a still-developing local market.
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North Carolina’s betting culture leans heavily toward ACC basketball, Panthers NFL and Hurricanes NHL, with steady growth in Charlotte FC soccer and a durable motorsports niche led by NASCAR.
Top 10 North Carolina Sports Betting Sites – Best Features Compared
- BetOnline Deepest US Markets, Creative Ongoing Promos & Best SGP Tools For College Sports
- BetUS Futures Insight & Broadcast Preview Broadcasts Tailored for Panthers, Hurricanes & More
- BetNow Beginner-Friendly Bonus Choices And Clear Navigation Suited To New Bettors
- SportsBetting.ag Strong Major League And Ufc Props With Slick User Experience
- Bet105 Reduced-Juice NFL & NBA Lines With Strong Panthers And Hornets Futures
- VoltageBet High-Volume NBA And NHL Props With Solid Same-Game Parlay Selections
- BUSR Robust Horse Racing Suite & Advanced College Futures
- Xbet Simple Layout With Broad Coverage And In-Depth Live Betting Options
- BetWhale Wide E-Sports & Soccer Menus For Charlotte FC & Gaming Fans
- CoinCasino Crypto-First Setup With Fast Payouts Plus Deep International Soccer Odds
Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
Yes. Sports betting is live and well in North Carolina. Online sports betting launched statewide in 2024, after Gov. Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law. In-person retail sports betting has been available at three tribal casinos since 2021.
The Path to NC Sports Betting Legislation
North Carolina’s path to legal sports betting reflects years of incremental progress and shifting public policy. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports gambling under PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018 during Murphy v NCAA, states gained the authority to legalize and regulate sports wagering individually.
In 2019, the state legislature expanded tribal gaming compacts to allow in-person retail sports betting at tribal casinos in western North Carolina, marking the first legal expansion beyond Nevada and a stepping stone toward broader legal wagering.
The major breakthrough came in 2023 with HB 347, a comprehensive bill that authorized and regulated wagering on professional, college, amateur sports and horse racing. After moving through both chambers of the General Assembly and multiple committee stages, HB 347 was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on June 14, 2023.
Under the provisions of HB 347, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission was tasked with drafting regulations and issuing licenses for up to 12 mobile and online sports wagering operators, as well as in-person retail books at approved venues.
North Carolina then officially launched legal online and retail sports betting on March 11, 2024, when regulated operators began accepting wagers statewide for the first time. Governor Cooper famously marked the occasion by placing a futures bet on the local Carolina Hurricanes.
Since launch, the market has grown quickly. Licensed operators accepted billions in wagers in the first year, generating significant tax revenue that supports educational and athletic programs statewide.
Recent Updates and Future Outlook
It’s evident that North Carolina has moved towards a revenue-oriented model. The state’s main focus will be on extracting higher taxes from regulated gambling. It’s proposed an increase of up to 36% according to SB 257. This comes as reports demonstrate the potential economic benefit that sports bettors provide the state.
Here are some of the most recent developments in the NC sports betting scene:
- December 14, 2025: North Carolina posts its largest sports betting month to date, setting a new benchmark as gross gaming revenue reaches $813,973,743.
- July 16, 2025: Charlotte lands the 2026 MLS All-Star Game with the help of a $2 million grant from the Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund. The initiative, powered by wagering revenue, has now backed three major events and highlights the broader economic ripple from legalization.
- April 15, 2025: A state budget plan puts forward a proposal to raise the sports betting tax rate from 18% to 36%, routing an estimated $31 million per year toward the athletic programs at UNC and NC State.
- February 11, 2025: The State Lottery Commission reports that monthly sports betting revenue doubled in January 2025 compared to December 2024, signaling sharply rising bettor engagement.
- February 10, 2025: Representative Erin Paré introduces legislation that would allow residents to deduct gambling losses on their state tax filings, bringing state treatment closer to federal rules.
An Overview of Legal Betting Options in North Carolina
| Betting Options | Is it Legal in the State? |
| Retail Sports Betting | ✅ |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ |
| Tribal Casinos that House Sportsbooks | ✅ |
| Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Betting at Physical Tracks | ❌ |
| Horse Racing Betting Online | ✅ |
| College Sports Betting | ✅ |
| E-sports Betting | ❌ |
| Politics Betting | ❌ |
| Entertainment Betting | ❌ |
Retail Sports Betting Options
North Carolina law authorizes up to eight retail sportsbooks at professional sports venues, but none tied to those sites have yet opened. Progress has slowed due to licensing sequencing, operator partnerships, and the need for venue agreements under HB 347. Most stakeholders have focused on mobile rollout and tax reforms first, leaving arena-based retail as a second-phase opportunity.
Prospective locations such as PNC Arena and Spectrum Center have been floated and remain plausible candidates once commercial operators complete regulatory onboarding and long-term sponsorship negotiations. The expectation is that venue retail could materialize as the market settles and competitive dynamics mature.
Does North Carolina Have Tribal Casinos with Sportsbooks?
Yes. Land-based sportsbooks in North Carolina were the first focus of state action after PASPA fell. Once SB 154 passed through lawmakers, it took another two years for legal sports betting to begin at casinos within the state. Three tribal casinos took on sportsbooks in partnerships with entertainment giants like Caesars.
These three land-based casino sportsbooks are the only brick-and-mortar options currently available to NC residents. However, taking into account the state’s plans to expand sports betting, it’s likely that more retail locations will open in the coming years.
| Tribal Casinos with Sportsbooks in NC | Address |
|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort | 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino | 777 Casino Parkaway, Murphy, NC 28906 |
| Catawba Two Kings Casino | 548 Kings Mountain, BLVD. Kings Mountain, NC 28086 |
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal?
Although the law initially allowed for horse racing wagering and advance-deposit pari-mutuel betting as part of the regulation framework, implementation timelines meant those markets were authorized on paper but not operational at launch.
Looking ahead, legislators have proposed changes such as doubling the operator tax rate and earmarking revenue specifically for major universities like UNC and NC State, showing how the state’s sports betting legal framework continues to evolve.
Is E-sports Betting Legal?
Yes. Esports betting is legal under North Carolina’s sports betting law (HB 347) alongside traditional sports. The state’s esports scene has grown over the past few years, supported by local tournaments and university-level participation, and interest continues to build.
Licensed sportsbooks in NC do offer e-sports odds, but the selection is still narrow, typically centered on major titles and headline events. Offshore sportsbooks tend to list a wider array of esports markets, including lesser-followed leagues, regional tournaments, and deeper prop menus. As the regulated market matures, North Carolina bettors expect domestic options to broaden over time.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal?
Yes. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in North Carolina. The state decided that DFS options were games of skill rather than chance, which immediately pulled them out of the realm of non legal online gambling. Most of the major operators accept DFS players from NC. The launch of North Carolina online sports betting has also seen an increase in DFS betting, especially during high sporting seasons.
What About Offshore Sportsbooks?
Offshore sportsbooks remain lawful for individual use in North Carolina, as the state does not prohibit residents from wagering with internationally licensed platforms. These operators are regulated outside U.S. jurisdiction, typically through licensing authorities like the Curacao Gaming Control Board or Anjouan Gaming Commission, and must follow their own compliance rules for payouts, account security and dispute processes.
Many North Carolina bettors compare offshore options alongside domestic apps because they offer expanded markets, sharper lines in certain sports, broader prop menus, entertainment and novelty wagering, crypto-friendly banking and faster withdrawals. With strong statewide betting engagement and steady monthly handle, it is likely that interest in deeper and more flexible wagering categories will persist, particularly around college sports, futures and e-sports.
How Does North Carolina’s Sports Betting Legislation Compare to Its Neighbors?
North Carolina sits in a mixed region when it comes to sports betting laws, and that shapes how residents place their bets. Some nearby states offer full online and retail markets, while others hold firm bans that push players to cross borders or use offshore sites.
These differences create uneven access to markets, bet types, and bonus options across state lines. The breakdown below shows how NC’s laws measure up against each of its neighbors.
Virginia
Similar to NC, sports betting in Virginia is legal both online and in retail locations. Online sports betting has been active for longer in Virginia, as it jumped onto legislation as soon as the green light was given.
The state is also quite progressive in what you can bet on. It only prohibits college sports involving in-state Virginia teams, and pro bets on college athletes. Sometimes residents jump across lines into NC to gain access to these kinds of bets, or they choose to bet via offshore sites.
South Carolina
South Carolina prohibits sports betting. It’s considered one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling. One of the only forms of gambling not explicitly criminalized in this state is Daily Fantasy Sports.
Bettors can use state operators to make DFS bets, although they are quite limited with only a few apps available. Residents usually make trips into NC to gain better access to markets, or, in most cases, they turn to offshore sites.
Tennessee
One of the earliest states within the bible belt to legalize online sports betting, Tennessee supports an online-only betting market. The state explicitly prohibits brick-and-mortar casinos, meaning that residents tend to travel across state to place bets in person.
When it comes to online sports betting, bettors can bet on professional and collegiate sports. Although prop bets on individual college athletes and in-game college team prop bets aren’t permitted.
Kentucky
Kentucky is a hot spot for horse racing enthusiasts. Residents from neighboring states travel here to watch the races at famous race tracks like Kentucky Downs or Churchill Downs. Online betting is also live, with many large operators accepting players from the state. The only prohibited form of betting is on politics or entertainment awards. Kentucky bettors have offshore sportsbooks to bet on these.
Popular Sports, Teams & Events to Bet on in North Carolina
North Carolina has a thriving sports scene driven by popular teams and a strong fan base. From the Carolina Panthers to the Hurricanes, fans stay plugged in year-round. With college programs like State Wolfpacks and UNC in the mix, the state has no shortage of games to follow or lines to bet on.
| NFL | NBA | NHL | MLS | NCAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | Charlotte Hornets | Carolina Hurricanes | Charlotte FC | NC State Wolfpack & UNC Tar Heels |
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers represent both Carolinas and remain the state’s most visible pro franchise for football bettors. They’ve appeared in two Super Bowls and eight playoff runs, providing a decent data set for spread and totals modeling over the years. Right now the story is more about development and volatility, which tends to produce sharper movement on team totals, QB and RB usage props, and derivatives tied to defensive performance. Because the Panthers can be priced as low-event on offense in certain matchups, over/unders and opposing player props frequently attract action during market adjustments.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are still rebuilding but now lean into a younger, more athletic profile that translates into pace-driven totals markets. Sitting around the lower-middle of the Eastern Conference, variance remains high from game to game, which creates openings on player points + assists + rebounds (PAR) props and usage-based lines. The Michael Jordan ownership era keeps the franchise culturally relevant, and home games at Spectrum Center typically draw balanced moneyline pricing. When injuries cluster in the backcourt, totals markets can move quickly, and opposing shooters often see elevated props.
Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC entered MLS in 2022 and immediately became a strong local draw at Bank of America Stadium. Attendance and atmosphere have created a modest home-field weighting in pricing, especially on moneyline and goal totals. Bettors have gravitated toward both teams to score (BTTS) and over 2.5 goals lines, along with winger and striker shot props. Because the club is still defining its long-term style, market makers can be slower to adjust to tactical shifts, particularly when transitioning between high-possession matchups and more defensive fixtures.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are one of the more analytically consistent NHL teams, known for strong defensive structure, elite shot suppression, and sustained playoff pushes. This produces tight totals markets and disciplined moneyline pricing, especially on home ice at PNC Arena. Futures interest spikes during postseason qualification windows, with conference and Stanley Cup prices often shortening earlier than casual bettors expect due to strong underlying metrics. Injury reports and goalie rotations remain key signals for same-day price moves.
NASCAR
North Carolina sits at the cultural and commercial heart of NASCAR, with Charlotte Motor Speedway hosting major Cup Series events and multiple teams headquartered in the region. Bettors here tend to be more informed than the national average, especially on outright and finishing position markets tied to driver form and manufacturer trends. The Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America ROVAL 400 attract significant handle, and matchup markets remain popular among bettors who prefer lower-variance exposure. Because NASCAR pricing moves on qualifying data, weather, and tire strategy updates, lines can shift more aggressively in the 24–48 hour window before green flag, rewarding bettors who track information deeper than surface-level form.
College Sports
College athletics are deeply embedded in North Carolina’s sports identity, with basketball driving the sharpest betting interest during March Madness and football commanding attention through the ACC and American conferences. UNC, Duke, and NC State create a triangle of high-visibility basketball futures and tournament props, with rivalry dynamics influencing both spreads and totals during regular-season meetings. Duke–UNC games in particular attract elevated action due to tempo, turnover rates, and matchup data that bookmakers adjust to quickly. In football, totals markets have become more volatile due to conference-wide shifts toward faster offenses, while player props and derivative markets gain traction when quarterbacks and receivers emerge as difference-makers mid-season.
Responsible Gambling
Sports betting in North Carolina should be treated as entertainment, not a way to chase income. Keeping things responsible helps you enjoy wagering without pressure.
State-regulated and international sportsbooks in the state offer tools like deposit limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion options to help you stay in control. If betting starts to feel overwhelming, you can always reach out to the dedicated support groups listed below for guidance.
- NC Problem Gambling Program
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- NC Center of Excellence for Addiction Policy & Practice
A North Carolina Sports Betting Summary
Sports betting is legal and fully operational in North Carolina, with multiple licensed mobile operators and limited retail presence through major venues. The regulatory model has been stable since launch, but the market continues to evolve around tax allocations, collegiate revenue earmarks, and future wagering categories such as horse racing.
Because offshore sportsbooks remain lawful for individual use and still provide broader odds, deeper props, futures, and bonuses, many bettors continue to compare regulated in-state apps against international platforms rather than default to a single environment.
North Carolina’s sports calendar is uniquely compelling. ACC basketball commands national attention every spring, Panthers futures and NFL Sundays drive consistent handle, and Hurricanes backers support a strong NHL market during playoff windows. March Madness intensifies interest in college hoops, Charlotte FC adds year-round soccer action, and NASCAR maintains a lasting motorsports niche anchored by local fanbases. Combined with growing e-sports and DFS participation, North Carolina offers bettors a more varied marketplace than many mid-tier U.S. states.
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