North Carolina Sports Betting: Best NC Sportsbooks October 2024

1. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel has captured the largest market share in the country, edging out rival DraftKings as the public’s favorite sportsbook.

One big reason for FanDuel’s success is its mobile app. It looks sharp and is easy to navigate. A scroll along the top lets you choose the sport or league you want, allowing you to find the game you want to bet on quickly. That is especially helpful when you are live betting or looking to place a last-minute wager. 

In addition to their fantastic mobile app, FanDuel is constantly giving existing players odds boosts and other promotions to help them boost their bankrolls. 

FanDuel’s sign-up offer for North Carolina bettors is bet $5, and get up to $300 in Bonus Bets if their bet wins.

Check out our complete review of FanDuel Sportsbook.

💰Sign-up offer:  Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

FanDuel Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.5/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.7/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your FanDuel Sportsbook Bonus

2. BetMGM Sportsbook

MGM has been one of the most respected sportsbooks in Las Vegas for decades, and now they deliver that experience right into your device. The platform is gold and black, capturing that unique Vegas field. 

While BetMGM doesn’t have the enormous market share that FanDuel and DraftKings have, their online sportsbook can be found in 20 different states and Washington, DC. BetMGM has great promotions and a solid platform, but their rewards program sets them apart from the rest of the competition. Bettors can earn rewards such as free bets, VIP tickets, and even a free trip to their Las Vegas resort.

BetMGM is currently offering up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses. Think of it as an insurance on your first bet.

Explore our comprehensive review of BetMGM Sportsbook.

💰 Sign-up offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
🤩 Promo code: WSNSPORTS

BetMGM Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.4/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.2/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your BetMGM Sportsbook Bonus

Or you can choose to claim BetMGM's special offer for North Carolina players: Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly when You Bet $10.

You can only claim one of BetMGM's welcome offers.

How it works:

1. Sign up - Create an account and make a first deposit

2. Download the app - Download the BetMGM Sportsbook app for either Android or iOS.

3. Bet $10 - Place a bet of a minimum of $10 on any game.

4. Get $200 - Get $200 in Bonus Bets into your BetMGM account instantly.

5. Use in 7 days - Your bonus bets will expire within 7 days.

Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly

3. Caesars Sportsbook

Like MGM, Caesars is another Las Vegas giant that has entered the online sports betting industry. Their impressive platform also provides the feel that can only be found in a Las Vegas sportsbook.

Bettors across the country are choosing Caesars thanks to the trusted brand name and frequent promotions. However, the sportsbook has set itself apart by beginning to offer NFL live streaming from the mobile app. More sportsbooks have been launching their own live-streaming platforms, but Caesar’s NFL access sets them apart.

Caesars also offers one of the best rewards programs in the industry. They allow bettors to earn points that can be redeemed for free bets, VIP tickets, or at Caesars properties across the country. 

When it comes to North Carolina, Caesars doesn’t disappoint. It offers up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses. Meaning you can allow yourself to risk a bit, if you want.

Discover more in our detailed review of Caesars Sportsbook.

💰Sign-up offer: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars OR $250 in Bonus Bets with the promo code WSN1000.

Caesars Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.3/5

⭐ Apple App Store: 4.6/5

⭐ Google Play Store: 4.3/5

⭐ Trustpilot: N/A

Claim Your Caesars Sportsbook Bonus

4. bet365 Sportsbook

The bet365 brand may not have the same recognition as the sportsbooks above them on this list, but they are growing fast in the US. The British operator has decades of experience in Europe and has now expanded into the US.

While the bet365 sportsbook doesn’t have the flash of some of its competitors, it is one of the best platforms in the industry. One reason for that is their live betting section, which is one of the best in the US. Bet365 also has an industry-leading customer support team, allowing you to resolve any issues quickly.

Now that the sportsbook has launched in North Carolina, bet365 is offering a choice between two welcome bonuses. One gives players $200 in Bonus Bets when they make an initial wager of $5+. The other is a first-bet Safety net that will refund your initial bet of up to $1000 in Bonus Bets if it loses.

Read our full review of bet365.

💰Sign-up offer: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $200 in Bonus Bets with the promo code WSN365

bet365 Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.5/5

⭐ Apple App Store: 4.7/5

⭐ Google Play Store: 4.6/5

⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

5. Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics is one of the newest operators to enter the online sports betting industry. They purchased PointsBet’s US business, allowing them to expand their new sportsbook quickly.

Fanatics has not disappointed in their first few months. The platform looks good and is easy to use on your device. However, they set themselves apart with their unique FanCash Rewards program. 

The FanCash Rewards program gives bettors FanCash when betting on the site. Unlike other loyalty programs, FanCash can be used to purchase gear for your favorite teams on the Fanatics store. That gives players access to high-quality merchandise for teams across all major sports. If you want to update your favorite team jersey, Fanatics Sportsbook can help you do so.

Fanatics does not currently have a sign-up bonus listed for North Carolina, but check back here for updates.

Read our full review of Fanatics.

💰Sign-up offer: $200 in FanCash

Fanatics Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 3.5/5

⭐ Apple App Store: 4.7/5

⭐ Google Play Store: 3.7/5

⭐ Trustpilot: 1.7/5

6. ESPN Bet Sportsbook

ESPN Bet is another newcomer to the online sports betting industry. They partnered with Penn Entertainment over the summer to take over the embattled Barstool Sportsbook. Their brand name has helped them grow to become one of the most popular sportsbooks over the last few months.

One thing that ESPN has is access to the leading sports analyst in the country. Bettors can seamlessly navigate between the ESPN website and app to the ESPN Bet sportsbook. This means you can read the latest insights from ESPN’s experts and easily place your bet with just a few clicks. 

ESPN Bet has grown and expanded quickly in the US, with North Carolina being the eighteenth state they will be living in. That is important for bettors who travel out of state but want to be able to use ESPN Bet.

ESPN Bet sign-up offer for North Carolina is higher than average, offering up to $225 in bonus bets to bettors who wager at least $10.

Read our full review of ESPN Bet.

💰Sign-up offer: $225 in bonus bets

ESPN Bet Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.8/5

⭐ Apple App Store: 4.9/5

⭐ Google Play Store: 4.6/5

⭐ Trustpilot: 3.5/5

7. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings has grown from being a small DFS site into one of the most popular & trusted sportsbooks in the US. Their brand has been trusted by DFS players for years, with a reputation for offering players a safe and exciting experience.

Still based in Massachusetts, DraftKings is attracting bettors from across the country thanks to their fantastic platform. It is easy to use while offering more features than most competitors. When you bet with DraftKings, you know you are getting competitive odds, secure banking, and some of the best bonuses in the industry.

DraftKings offers an excellent welcome bonus for new North Carolina bettors: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets. This DraftKings welcome package will be issued in six $25 bonus bets that need to be used within 7 days.

Find out more in our in-depth DraftKings Sportsbook review.

💰Sign-up offer: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets

DraftKings Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.8/5

⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5

⭐ Google Play Store: 4.6/5

⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

North Carolina Sportsbook Promos

For in-depth details on each sportsbook promo in North Carolina take a look at:

• Caesars North Carolina Promo

• BetMGM North Carolina Promo

• DraftKings North Carolina Promo

• FanDuel North Carolina Promo

Full List of Legal Sportsbooks in North Carolina

The full list of legal online sportsbooks is below:

1. FanDuel

2. Caesar's Sportsbook

3. BetMGM

4. bet365

5. ESPN Bet

6. Fanatics

7. DraftKings

8. Underdog

North Carolina Online Sports Betting Sites

North Carolina Retail Sportsbooks

There are three retail sportsbooks in North Carolina:

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

• Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel

• Catawba Two Kings Casino

Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?

Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina at any of the three in-person retail sportsbooks located in the state as well as eight online sportsbooks that launched on March 11, 2024.

Online gambling has been a long time coming. The bill that legalized retail sports betting, SB 154, was passed back in 2019, but it wasn’t until March 2021 that the first legal sports bets were placed in the state. Separate legislation was required to legalize online betting, which was finally signed into law on June 14, 2023. 

The new law stipulated that the online betting industry must launch in 2024 before June 14, which was met with the March launch date.

How to Start Betting

North Carolina doesn’t actually have any active online sportsbooks yet. However, the sign-up process for all the top US sportsbooks is more or less the same regardless of which state you are playing in. Here’s our easy step-by-step guide for beginners:

1. Choose a licensed sportsbook. There are plenty of offshore, unlicensed sites out there that will let you sign up from any state, including North Carolina. However, we strongly recommend waiting for the safe sites when they launch in 2024. Offshore sites are risky and you have no real protection if they decide not to pay your winnings. 

2. Sign up. All sportsbooks require pretty much the same information to create an account, including your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and SSN. The whole process will only take a couple of minutes max.

3. Verify your identity. Depending on the info you provide, you may need to include some extra documentation to verify your identity. North Carolina sportsbooks are going to be legally required to confirm the age and identity of everyone who bets on the sites, and this step is part of that process. 

4. Get your welcome bonus. Pretty much all sportsbooks have welcome offers for new players to encourage them to sign up, which we discuss in detail below. You may need to type in a promo code during registration to unlock your offer or just make a qualifying deposit. We’ll cover the best offers in detail on this page when online sports betting launches.

5. Deposit some money. Modern US sportsbooks provide a range of different methods to top up your account, including bank cards, bank transfers, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and more. Choose your preferred method and follow the instructions to get money into your account. 

6. Place your bets. Browse the different sports and betting markets and add your selections to the virtual betslip. You can add multiple bets to build a parlay, too. After you’ve locked in your bet, the winnings will appear in your account more or less immediately after the outcome is decided. 

North Carolina Sportsbook Promos

When online sportsbooks finally go live in North Carolina, we are fully expecting them to do so with a full selection of sports betting bonuses. Welcome bonuses, in particular, are the sportsbook’s biggest tool for attracting new customers, and they are going to be a big part of getting people to sign up and start betting in the Tar Heel State. In this section, we’re covering the most popular sign-up promos we expect to see in North Carolina. 

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets are like vouchers you can use to place a bet. Sportsbooks usually hand them out to new players in exchange for signing up and making a qualifying deposit. If your bonus bet wins, you only get to keep the profits. There are often other conditions, too, like using the bonus only at certain odds and potentially having to complete wagering requirements on your winnings. 

Second Chance Bet

Another frequently offered welcome bonus is the Second Chance Bet, where sportsbooks refund your initial bet if it loses up to a specified value. The refund comes in the form of site credit or bonus bets, not regular cash, which you can withdraw right away. Second Chance Bets are particularly beneficial when signing up for a sportsbook, especially if you're placing a sizable bet.

Deposit Match Bonus

In this case, the sportsbook will match some or all of your first deposit in bonus bets or site credit. The more you decide to deposit up front, the more valuable the bonus you stand to receive, although there is always a cap on the total amount you can get. This type of bonus tends to be more valuable for more experienced bettors, who are comfortable making bigger deposits as soon as they sign up.

No Deposit Bonus

These are any kind of bonus or promotion that the sportsbook gives you in exchange for signing up, with no need to deposit any money first. They're perfect for trying out a new site without the concern of losing money, and they cater well to those who prefer lower stakes and casual betting. Usually, the amount is pretty small, like a $10 or $20 bonus bet. 

What Mobile Sportsbooks Are Available in North Carolina?

For now, there are no mobile sportsbooks available in North Carolina. When online gambling does launch in the state, we expect all the top sportsbook apps to become available in NC, including the likes of FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and more. 

What Types of Bets Can I Place in North Carolina?

The retail sportsbooks in North Carolina support a deep and varied range of sports betting markets. We fully expect that the online options will be the same when online gambling launches in the state. Below, we’re covering the most popular ways to bet:

Moneyline Bets

A bet on the moneyline is, very simply, a bet on which side will win an individual game. The sportsbook assigns odds to each side of the bet according to their likelihood of winning. Here’s what it might look like:

• Boston Celtics (-225)

• Indiana Pacers (+185)

In this game, the Celtics are the favorite, as they have negative odds. To understand moneyline odds, it helps to think in increments of $100. Odds of -225 means that in order to win $100, you would need to bet $225. The Pacers’ odds of +185 on the other hand, mean that a $100 would win $185. Moneyline bets are the easiest way to bet at NC sportsbooks. 

Point Spread Bets

Betting on the spread is a bet on the margin of victory. To win your bet, the team doesn’t necessarily have to win. They just need to cover the spread of points set by the sportsbooks. Check out an example:

• Boston Celtics (-110) -5.5 

• Indiana Pacers (-110) +5.5

In this case, to win a bet on the Celtics, they not only have to win, but they have to win by 6 points or more. To win a bet on the Pacers, they simply need to avoid losing by 6 points. The odds on point spread bets tend to start at around -110 for both sides since the spread is theoretically supposed to make up for the difference in ability between the sides. 

Totals

This is a bet on the total amount of points scored in a game. The winning team is irrelevant. The sportsbook sets a line, and you can either bet on the Over or Under. Here’s how it might look:

• Celtics vs. Pacers

• Over 242.5 (-110)

• Under  242.5 (-110)

Prop Bets

Props are bets on things that happen in a game, especially the statistical performance of players or teams. Popular prop bets include throwing yards in the NFL, layups in the NBA, or strikeouts in the MLB - for either individual players or the team as a whole. They are often in the same format as Over/Under bets, like this:

• Jayson Tatum Total Rebounds

• Over 9.5 (-120)

• Under 9.5 (-105)

Futures

Futures are bets on outcomes that are determined a long way in the future, normally picking the winner of a whole competition or tournament. Many people place Futures at the beginning of the season, but they are available throughout the year for all major competitions. Examples would be betting on the winner of the Super Bowl or the NBA Championship.

Parlays

Parlays are combination bets. You can add multiple bets to the same betslip, and in order to win, every individual selection must be correct. The odds of each selection are multiplied together, so parlays can be very profitable when you hit a winner. 

Live Betting

Just as it sounds, live betting involves betting on sports as they happen live. You can do it at home while you’re watching TV or right there in the stadium using the North Carolina Sportsbooks app once they go live. The odds with live betting change all the time depending on what is happening in the game, and timing is everything when you want to take advantage of something you’ve spotted in real time. 

What Can’t You Bet On in North Carolina?

The following types of betting are not allowed in North Carolina:

• E-sports betting is not allowed.

• You can’t bet on entertainment or award shows like the Oscars.

• Betting on politics is not allowed. 

Betting on College Sports in North Carolina

Betting on college sports is legal in North Carolina. What's more, unlike many other states, you can bet on in-state college teams in North Carolina. NC College sports are extremely popular, and you can check out some of the NCAA Division 1 franchises that you can bet on in NC below:

• Campbell Fighting Camels

• Charlotte 49ers

• Duke Blue Devils

• Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

• NC State Wolfpack

• North Carolina Tar Heels

• Wake Forest Demon Deacons

• Western Carolina Catamounts

North Carolina Sports Betting Facts

How Does North Carolina Online Sports Betting Compare to Other States?

It’s very early days for sports betting in North Carolina, and it remains to be seen how the activity is really going to take off in the Tar Heel State once online gambling launches just before March Madness. However, the state of Michigan is a useful reference point for what we can expect, which has a near-identical population of just over 10 million people and a handful of major league franchises. 

North Carolina sports betting laws allow for up to 12 online sportsbooks, and Michigan currently has 13 active sports betting sites. Both Michigan and North Carolina are notable in that they are two of the comparatively few states that allow betting on in-state college teams. In 2022, Michigan’s total sports betting was $4.81 billion, so a similar figure is a reasonable target for NC once its industry gets off the ground. 

North Carolina Sports Betting Updates

North Carolina is just at the start of its sports betting journey, but it still took a while to get here. Check out the timeline of the major steps along the way for NC sports betting below:

• Aug. 8, 2024 - According to PGA Tour, North Carolina has accounted for 8% of nationwide golf betting handle since the state launched in March.

• June 5, 2024 - A proposal to ban college sports prop betting in North Carolina is reportedly unlikely to advance during this session. Instead, lawmakers could pursue “consequences” as an alternative to an outright ban.

• June 3, 2024 - The Catawaba Two Kings Casino announces construction dates for a permanent gaming facility in North Carolina, as they will break ground on the $700 million gaming and hotel site on June 7, 2024.

• May 27, 2024 - North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore gave the following statement - “Hard feelings” stemming from a debate over casinos in 2023 could make it difficult for legislators to legalize new gambling options, like video lottery terminals, this year.

• May 23, 2024 - Despite North Carolina sports betting handle dropping from March to April, revenue was up 58.4% from $66.4 million to $105.2 million.

• May 21, 2024 - NC sports betting handle fell to $643.6 million in April, the state’s first full month with legal sports betting. April’s total was down 2% from March.

• May 6, 2024 - NC Gov. Roy Cooper is calling for legislators to allow bettors to deduct sports betting losses from their taxes.

• May 3, 2024 - North Carolina Rep. Marcia Morey filed a bill banning prop betting on college players.

• April 16, 2024 - North Carolina pulls in $659.3 million over its first month of legal online sports betting.

• April 12, 2024 - Underdog announced its player vs player game, Champions, is now available in North Carolina.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in North Carolina?

Daily Fantasy Sports are available in North Carolina, with both DraftKings and FanDuel accepting players. In fact, the state has not yet passed specific legislation to regulate DFS contests, but neither are they illegal. 

Sports Teams in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to more than ten million people and some popular teams across different US major league sports. College sports are also very popular, and the state is home to the golf resort of Pinehurst, which has hosted major championships and the Ryder Cup. Some of the most popular teams are below:

1. Charlotte Hornets (NBA): formerly known as the Charlotte Bobcats, the Hornets were founded in 1988. They were previously majority owned by Michael Jordan, until he sold his controlling stake in 2023. 

2. Carolina Panthers (NFL): The Panthers are the youngest team in the NFC, having been founded in 1995. They have been NFC South Conference champions twice, in 2003 and 2015. 

3. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL): The Hurricanes were originally formed as the New England Whalers in 1972, before moving to North Carolina and rebranding in 1997. They won their sole Stanley Cup in 2006. 

4. Charlotte FC (MLS): Charlotte FC is an expansion team in Major League Soccer, playing its first season in 2022. 

North Carolina Sportsbook Partnerships

So far, just one major North Carolina team has signed an agreement with a sportsbook: the Charlotte Hornets are the official betting partners of bet365. Quail Hollow Golf Course, the host of the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour, has signed an agreement with PENN Entertainment, the operator of ESPN Bet. 

How We Rated the Top North Carolina Sports Betting Sites

There is one guiding principle that underpins all of our reviews: we actually sign up and use the sportsbooks we rate. We’re not going off press releases or other reviews. Instead, all the information that goes into our reviews comes from first-hand experience, data, and opinions gathered by our team of experts who sign up and bet. We ask our team to spend two hours researching each of the following six factors before they begin to write their reviews:

1. User Experience - We take our time and explore every site we review to develop a deep understanding of how it feels to use the platform. How easy is it to actually place a bet? How well laid out are the betting markets? How does the software look aesthetically? Every site has a different feel, and that’s what we want to capture for our readers.

2. Features - Basically, we make sure to spend time with every individual service and feature a site offers beyond just placing regular bets. That goes for things like betting guides and picking services, live streaming content in the in-play section, DFS or other games, and more. 

3. Promotions - Whatever promotions are available when we conduct our reviews, our team opts into them to determine how valuable they are. We go deep on terms and conditions like time limits and wagering requirements, so there are no surprises for our readers. We pay special attention to the welcome bonus and compare it to the other equivalent offers out there. 

4. Deposits and Withdrawals - For every single payment method, we follow the deposit and withdrawal process from start to finish. This process can take weeks in some cases, but we don’t skip any steps. As well as the overall ease of the process, we look at fees, processing times, deposits, and withdrawal limits. 

5. Customer Support - We use the same set of pre-selected questions to get in touch with the support team so we can easily see how the site compares to other top sportsbooks. We like to see 24/7 live chat support, and we also do a deep dive into the articles or FAQs in the Help Section. If there is a phone number available, we will call. 

6. Responsible Gambling - We evaluate what practical steps the sportsbook is taking to promote responsible gambling. We want to see links to external support services displayed prominently on the site, not hidden away at the bottom of the page. We also look for in-house tools to help you manage your gambling, like customizable limits and self-exclusion services. 

Why You Should Trust Us

If we had to choose just one word to sum up our credentials, it would be experience. The team here at WSN is made up of massive sports and betting fans who have been gambling in one form or another for decades. 

We are genuinely excited when a new sportsbook arrives on the scene, or a new state legalizes sports betting. Even if we weren’t professionally involved in the industry, we would be doing pretty much the same thing. Our years of experience and interest go into every page that we write so that we can call it as we see it - the good and the bad - for our readers’ benefit. 

Getting Help: Responsible Gambling in North Carolina

There are still some i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed on the structure of the new online sports betting industry in North Carolina, but we already know that promoting responsible gambling practices and protecting bettors are part of the NCSLC’s mandate:

1. You can head to the Responsible Gambling section of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission website for practical information and advice. They also provide free and confidential 24 hour support on 877-718-5543, or you can text “morethanagamenc" to 53342 for text support. 

2. There is also a North Carolina voluntary self-exclusion programme available, which you can also access via the Commission’s website. 

3. Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling are two nationwide support services that are always available for bettors in North Carolina and further afield.