1. Online Sports Betting In North Carolina
2. Sports Betting In Cherokee North Carolina
3. When Does Sports Betting Start In North Carolina

For a state that once adamantly opposed gambling, bill NC SB 154 (in favor of sports betting on tribal lands) was quickly passed through the Senate and House in the spring of 2019 and was approved by lawmakers soon after in July.

Online Sports Betting In North Carolina

Sports Betting in Raleigh The Raleigh-Durham area has supplanted Charlotte as the ‘tech hub’ of North Carolina. Unfortunately, they’re in the same boat when it comes to meager gambling options. North Carolina is one of the most restrictive states for gambling in the Southeast. Sports betting is legal in North Carolina as of July 2019, but that doesn’t mean there are any legal sportsbooks open in the state to place a bet. The sports betting authorized by S 154 has yet to launch. The bill allowed the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to offer sports betting at their two Harrah’s-branded casinos in the state.

The wheels were put into motion after the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018. On that day, courts voted to allow each state to propose and create their own laws and regulations for sports betting.

Once Governor Roy Cooper made sports betting legal in North Carolina, residents were permitted to place legal sports wagers at one of two tribal casinos. However, both are still currently in the process of opening their sportsbooks.

Before this progressive move, North Carolina was not gambler-friendly. They were one of the last states to introduce a state lottery in 2005. Even up until 2012, the government was only allowing slots and electronic poker at tribal casinos. Things like dog and horse racing, which have been longtime staples in other states, were illegal in North Carolina. Daily fantasy sites are legal in North Carolina as they are classified as games of skill.

The need to increase revenue in North Carolina has led to more table games being allowed, the approval for additional tribal casinos to be built, and most recently legalized sports betting and horse racing at tribal casinos.

North Carolina Sports Betting at a Glance

Governor Roy Cooper signed NC SB 154 to allow for legal sports betting on July 16, 2019.

Retail sports betting is set to launch at two tribal casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the Appalachian Mountains. Unfortunately, the location of these casinos does make for a rather long road trip for North Carolinians on the eastern side of the state. The Catawba Nation tribe is also expected to open a future casino that could offer sports betting in the Kings Mountain area.

While it was a big move for the typically conservative state to legalize sports betting, no forms of online or mobile sports betting have been approved so far. If North Carolina residents wish to place a sports bet, they must be physically inside one of the state’s tribal casinos.

Governor Cooper has also signed off on NC SB 574 which calls for a study to determine the feasibility of regulating sports betting within the state under the authority of the newly created gaming commission.

The good news for fans of North Carolina’s very successful college teams is that betting is allowed on local college teams. This is not the case in some other states which have legalized sports betting. North Carolina actually has more Division 1 NCAA teams than any state outside of Texas and California.

Where to Bet on Sports in North Carolina

Retail sports betting is currently limited to two tribal casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. However, the tribe has elected to partner with Harrah’s properties to be the company to actually run their casinos. They are working on opening up sportsbooks at their properties very soon. The two retail sports betting locations are:

*Hours are subject to change due to COVID-19

North Carolina Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina is the seventh state to legalize sports betting as of July 2019.

Is online gambling legal in North Carolina?

Sports Betting In Cherokee North Carolina

No. Sports betting in North Carolina is only allowed to take place while physically inside one of the state’s retail tribal casinos.

What is the legal age to place sports bets in North Carolina?

When Does Sports Betting Start In North Carolina

You must be 21 to bet on sports legally.