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Best North Carolina Online Casinos 2024: Play Legally and Safely!

Veronica Foster Publication byV. Foster

The Tar Heel State is one of the most historic and beloved in the Nation. From prestigious universities to quality nightlife, there is something for everyone to explore in North Carolina, including tribal casinos. However, the same can’t be said of North Carolina online casinos.

Today, there are no legal online casino sites in the state. It’s illegal to bet real money with online casino games and win real cash prizes based on chance. However, this might soon change, seeing as on March 11, 2024, the state legalized online sports betting!

The legalization of online sports betting might be the first step in this state’s journey toward legalizing online casinos, so you can play games and win money from home! For now, however, you can explore popular online casino games with the help of sweepstakes casinos. For more information on whether or not North Carolina casinos will be legalized online, ways to play, and rules for this state, read on!

The Best North Carolina Online Casinos and Offers

United States
North Carolina, United States
  • BetRivers.net
    #1 Rank
    BetRivers.net
    Bonus
    $1,000 Spin to Win Virtual Credits Everyday
    8.7
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    About BetRivers.net
    BetRivers.net

    Since 2016, BetRivers.NET has been a powerhouse in the US social casino scene, offering top-quality games from NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and others. With over 700 slots, live casino games, and ongoing tournaments, it’s a must-visit. All players enjoy automatic enrollment in the loyalty scheme and receive free virtual credits every four hours.

    Read review
    Overview
    • Website us.betrivers.net
    • Established 2016
    • Min deposit $1.99
    • No Deposit Bonus $20 virtual credits
    Rating
    8.7 / 10
    Bonuses
    8/10
    Payment Options
    9/10
    Customer Support
    8/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    7/10
    Game Selection
    10/10
    User reviews
    9/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Discover
    • PayPal
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply
  • GoldSlips Casino
    #2 Rank
    GoldSlips Casino
    Bonus
    5S Coins and 100K Gold Coins
    7.1
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    About GoldSlips Casino
    GoldSlips Casino

    GoldSlips Casino, launched in 2023 and available in most states, is quickly gaining traction as a promising social casino. With a straightforward yet engaging platform, we’re eager to see its expansion in bonuses and promotions. Check out our comprehensive review for insights on gameplay, ratings, and more at GoldSlips.

    Read review
    Overview
    Rating
    7.1 / 10
    Bonuses
    6/10
    Payment Options
    7/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    8/10
    User experience
    7/10
    Game Selection
    7/10
    User reviews
    8/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Discover
    • ACH
    • PayPal
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply
  • Huuuge
    #3 Rank
    Huuuge
    Bonus
    4+ Billion Free Chips
    8.4
    Read review
    About Huuuge
    Huuuge

    Huuuge Casino boasts a robust selection of 201 finely crafted games, making it a major player in the social casino scene since its launch in 2014. Powered by Huuuge Games and supported by well-known providers like Aristocrat and Playtech, it offers over 4 billion free chips for linking your Facebook and Apple ID. Don’t miss the welcome bonus upon login. For more details, dive into our full Huuuge Social Casino review.

    Read review
    Overview
    Rating
    8.4 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    8/10
    Game Selection
    8/10
    User reviews
    8/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • American Express
    • Discover
    • Apple Pay
    • PayPal
    • +2
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply
  • Casino4Fun
    #4 Rank
    Casino4Fun
    Bonus
    500 VC$ on sign-up
    8.9
    Read review
    About Casino4Fun
    Casino4Fun

    Rush Games Casino4Fun has become a favorite among online social casinos, offering easy account setup and daily virtual coin benefits. Since its 2023 launch, players enjoy jackpot promotions and games ranging from live craps to popular slots crafted by top industry developers. See what our experts at Lucky Gambler have to say about Rush Games Casino4Fun.

    Read review
    Overview
    Rating
    8.9 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    9/10
    Game Selection
    9/10
    User reviews
    9/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Discover
    • American Express
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply

North Carolina Online Gambling Laws

Laws are rapidly changing for the better. For the longest time, there were virtually no forms of legal online casinos and gambling in the state. However, this has quickly changed, with Governor Roy Cooper signing House Bill 347 into law on June 14, 2023. While this law was signed into effect last year, it was only recently in 2024 that sports betting and horse betting were finally introduced into North Carolina.

While laws allowing sports betting and horse betting are continuing to develop, the same can’t be said of legalized online casino gambling. Instead, North Carolina laws continue to ban online casinos from operating in the state.

It’s important to abide by the laws of Chapter 14-292. If you’re found guilty of operating or participating in a game of chance for anything of value (i.e., gambling) that isn’t explicitly authorized, you’ll be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. This means you could face a fine of $1,000 and spend as many as 60 days in jail! It’s best to stick with legal North Carolina online casinos, such as sweepstakes and social casinos.

How Does North Carolina Regulate Gambling?

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission is responsible for overseeing all things related to the lottery, the state’s new sports betting, and horse betting laws. Interestingly enough, the Commission did not have any responsibilities related to these new sports betting and horse betting laws until recently, since the passage of the 2023 Bill. However, they now have the responsibility of overseeing both the state lottery and drafting new laws for sports and horse betting.

In addition, the Commission will also be responsible for issuing licenses to operators interested in running sports and horse racing. For those in need of responsible gaming resources, visit their website for more information.

There are also different agencies that enforce laws at in-person casinos in North Carolina. The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians regulates the games at the two Cherokee North Carolina gaming facilities. The Catawba Nation Gaming Commission regulates the Catawba Two Kings casino.

Lastly, the state also has Alcohol Law Enforcement, or ALE, special agents that conduct checks at all in-person North Carolina lottery, bingo, and gambling facilities. From illegal lotteries to racing pools and video poker, ALE agents enforce laws in all of these areas.

NC Online Casinos and Gambling

If you’re wondering, “Is online gambling legal in the Tar State,” the answer is a resounding “No.” It’s important to know that, while you might not be able to wager real money with online casinos in North Carolina, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or win prizes! The best North Carolina casinos for players who want to play their favorite table games, online slots, and even poker are social casinos.

They don’t require you to wager real money to play casino games. Instead, you can play slots and other table games for free and have access to casino bonuses in the form of free gold coins. These coins can then be used to extend gameplay and enter sweepstakes contests. These contests make it possible to win great prizes. Even if you don’t win, players can still have fun playing for free and refine their skills.

North Carolina Online Poker

While online poker is one of the most exciting live dealer games, it’s not one that is currently legal in North Carolina. However, just like social casinos, social poker sites allow you to play poker for free! These social poker sites don’t require real money gambling and instead allow players to participate in tournaments and events for free. From Stud to Omaha, you can find tons of variations on these social poker sites.

North Carolina Daily Fantasy Sports

Fantasy Sports are neither legal nor illegal in the state. Unlike sports betting, choosing a Fantasy Sports team takes skill, since players bet on the chances of their favorite athletes winning, as well as on various scoreboards. Because of this, the Supreme Court deemed DFS to be legal and not in violation of any gambling laws. You can bet on DFS through sites like DraftKings and Fan Duel.

North Carolina Sports Betting

Sports betting has only recently been made legal in the Tar State. While licenses are still in the process of being handed out until June of 2024, many sports betting retailers are now open for business online! Giants like BetMGM are already digging their heels into the state.

North Carolina Horse Betting

In addition to sports betting online, the new Bill also legalized horse betting in the state. Players can bet on races on a racetrack or off-track betting site. They can only do so at an approved ADW site, where players must fund their account ahead of time before placing a pari-mutuel bet.

North Carolina Lottery

The North Carolina Education Lottery brings in tons of revenue for the state’s education department. North Carolina is one of few states that allow players to gamble online on a lottery website. Players can buy lottery tickets online or at retail locations, and enjoy games similar to slots like Shamrock Winnings and The Lamp.

North Carolina Land Based Casinos

The State’s tribes currently operate several NC casinos. From Live casino games to slot machines, drinks, and food, North Carolina casinos offer a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle and bet on real money games! Here are the top North Carolina casinos to look out for on your next vacation to the Tar Heel State.

History of Gambling Legislation in North Carolina

The history of NC gambling is quite short, seeing as the state rallied hard against making all forms of gambling illegal in the state (and keeping it that way). In fact, it wasn’t until 2005 that the state voted to legalize a lottery, and tickets weren’t even sold until the following year in 2006!

Surprisingly, the first legal land-based casino didn’t open its doors until 1997. This was the year Harrah’s Cherokee Casino became the most popular NC casino, owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The tribe opened a temporary casino in 1995 that had been closed, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino opened its doors in 1997.

The newest forms of gambling to be legalized are horse betting and online sports betting, which were legalized by House Bill 347 in 2023. As of March 2024, there are eight sports betting sites with more to come on the way. There are also horse betting sites waiting to receive licenses.

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North Carolina Online Casino FAQ

What is the legal gambling age in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, you must be 21 years old to gamble in retail casinos, and only 18 years old to play the state lottery.

Who regulates gambling in North Carolina?

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission now oversees online sports and horse betting in addition to the state lottery. The state’s Department of Public Safety and tribes also regulate NC casinos.

Are online casinos legal in North Carolina?

No, there are currently no legal NC online casinos. If you really want to have fun and play, online casinos worth exploring include social and sweepstakes casinos.

Can I win real money at online casinos in North Carolina?

No, you cannot bet or win with real money casino games online. This means you can’t wager money from a credit card, cash, or wager anything of value to win online. However, you can still have a chance to win prizes with social casinos. These are the best online casinos that allow you to legally play for free and gather coins, which you can use to enter contests for prizes.

Are online gambling North Carolina winnings taxable?

Yes, North Carolina players must pay a flat rate of 4.75% on winnings. You must also pay a federal income tax. It’s best to keep track of your losses so you can offset your tax liability.

When will online casinos be legal in North Carolina?

As for when online casinos launch in the state, that answer remains up in the air. While online sports betting and horse betting are now legal, laws for online casinos still haven’t budged, and might not do so for quite some time. While you wait, consider signing up for social casino or social poker sites to have fun for free!

Veronica Foster Written by Veronica Foster

I’m a seasoned gambler with a decade of experience in games like blackjack and roulette, and a particular fondness for slot machines. Now, as a writer for iGaming IQ Inc and Lucky Gambler, I use my expertise to educate others on smart, responsible betting, winning strategies, and choosing the best online casinos.

Veronica's articles and reviews