In Depth Guide to Online & Retail Casinos in NC for November 2024

Are Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina?

No, to be clear - real money online casinos are not legal in North Carolina yet. However, retail casinos are legal in North Carolina and have been since the first one opened its doors in 1997. 

It is possible to play casino games in North Carolina, but it is not a gambling-friendly state. You can see evidence of this in the relatively limited size and scale of the North Carolina casinos industry.

North Carolina Online Casino Laws

• ⚖️ Under the current laws of the state, there are no online casinos in NC where you can wager real money.
• ⚖️ The only casinos in North Carolina are three tribal establishments that feature slot machines and, in two cases, table games.
• ⚖️ Efforts were unsuccessful to add three commercial NC casinos in 2023, but state House speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger have vowed to try again in 2024.
• ⚖️ The passage of sports betting bill HB 347 in 2023, signed into law by state Gov. Roy Cooper, means you can bet online on sports with betting apps in North Carolina from March 11, 2024. 
• ⚖️ Since the launch of legal sports wagering was successful, it raises hopes that North Carolina online casinos may become a reality in the coming years.

Now that sports betting has launched in the state, you can use the latest North Carolina sportsbook promos.

What Casino Games Are Legal in North Carolina?

The range of games offered at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino demonstrates that all your favorite casino activities are available in the state. You can enjoy slot machines and table games such as roulette, blackjack, and poker. The range at social casinos may be slightly more restricted, although the selection at BetRivers.net is impressively comprehensive.  

Who Would Regulate North Carolina's Online Casinos?

All forms of gambling in the Tar Heel State are administered by the North Carolina Lottery Commission. The Commission put together the regulatory structure for the state’s online sports betting industry. These rules and regulations were approved with betting going live March 11, 2024. 

We can assume this commission will be in charge of NC online casinos when they are permitted to operate.

What Casinos are in North Carolina?

There are three casinos at physical locations in North Carolina:

All three of the current North Carolina casinos are operated by federally recognized tribes. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns both the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, while the Two Kings Casino is owned by the Catawba Indian Nation.

As things stand, there are no commercial casinos in North Carolina, though hopes are high that this may change in 2024 with the addition of three new commercial locations.

Do North Carolina Casinos Have Hotels?

Yes, two of the current casinos in North Carolina are attached to hotels as part of a resort. The Harrah’s Cherokee Casino has more than 1,100 hotel rooms, while there are 300 hotel rooms at the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino.

Will Any New North Carolina Casinos Open Soon?

We're not sure yet. Proposals were brought before the North Carolina state legislature during its 2023 session that would have opened the door for four new casinos. Three of these would have been the first commercial establishments in the state, while the other was to be run by the Lumbee Tribe. However, those proposals failed.

It is expected that supporters will renew their efforts to bring these new sites to life in 2024.

Which Online Casinos Are Most Likely To Launch in North Carolina?

It is safe to assume that many of the leading operators that are active there would also be keen to launch North Carolina online casinos. Those companies will no doubt be keeping a close eye on developments in the Tar Heel State.

There are currently six states where online casinos are permitted to operate, including West Virginia, which shares a border with North Carolina.

Let’s look at some of the highly experienced brands that will almost certainly apply for licenses to run North Carolina online casinos when the opportunity arises.

Caesars Palace Online Casino

Caesars is one of the most famous names in the casino world. It’s no surprise, then, to find that Caesars Palace Online Casino North Carolina will be one of the leading brands in this growing space. 

Expect to find a huge range of games, delivered by an excellent user interface, and a strong focus on regular bonuses and promo offers.

🏛️ MORE: Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina

BetMGM Casino

The BetMGM North Carolina online casino will be known for delivering a huge number of slot titles where it is permitted to operate. These include dozens of exclusive games you cannot play anywhere else. Players in other states enjoy an extensive range of bonuses to add extra spice to the experience of a visit here.

🦁 MORE: Is BetMGM Legal in North Carolina?

Hollywood Casino

The Hollywood Casino is currently available only in Pennsylvania, but it has its sights on expansion into other states, and one of them could be North Carolina. Its game selection is relatively small compared to leading rivals, but it is growing all the time. Players can also take advantage of the well regarded PENN Play loyalty program.

Read more on ESPN BET North Carolina, PENN Entertainment's newest sportsbook, as it gets ready to launch. 👀

DraftKings Casino

As you might expect from one of the leading digital brands in gambling, the DraftKings casino is highly impressive. The smooth, easy interface makes it easy to move around the casino, and there is a fantastic array of games to choose from, many of them exclusive to this operator.

There’s a great loyalty program, and you are never far away from a promo.

👑 MORE: DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina

FanDuel Casino

The FanDuel casino comes to you from the pre-eminent brand in the North American gambling space. This is a classy offering, with a substantial selection of slots and other titles, and a steady supply of bonuses.

Mobile players should also enjoy the brand’s casino app, which scores highly with visitors to the major app stores.

💪 MORE: FanDuel Sportsbook North Carolina

BetRivers Casino

The BetRivers casino may get a head start over other NC online casinos, thanks to the good work of its social casino brand. Expect hundreds of great slot titles at the real-money version, regular bonuses and tournaments, and an enjoyable online experience.

You also gain access to the respected iRush Rewards loyalty program.

🌊 MORE: BetRivers North Carolina Sportsbook

Casino Games You Will Be Able To Play In NC

If online casinos ever become legal in North Carolina, there will be a handful of options to play. Most online casino games are very similar to what you will find at the local casinos or in Vegas. Below we will dive into more details on each of these games.

• NC Online Poker Video Poker is one of the more popular and classic casino games, it pushes the limits of what is theoretically possible with a card game. There are multiple varieties of Stud, Draw and Hold'em with names such as Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better. Strategy is important but luck still dominates. Stake levels go from pennies to $100s of dollars.
• NC Online Slots In person slots have risen in popularity over the years and online slots have followed suit. If you're accustomed to traditional slot machines, the new online versions will be a delightful shock. If they become legal in NC, online slots will differ significantly in three key aspects: RTP (Return to Player), volatility, and the configuration of reels and rows. These online slots can feature multiple reels and rows, with numerous paylines spanning across rows and even diagonally.
• NC Online Blackjack Blackjack holds the title of the most popular table game. Playing blackjack online is much faster than its casino counterpart, and various game versions enhance it by offering more betting opportunities. Numerous legal online casinos feature live dealer blackjack, which, while slower, provides a taste of the Las Vegas casino experience. Although the dealer cannot see you, you can see all the dealer's actions. Additionally, you can communicate with the dealer through in-game chat.

Free to Play Online Casinos in North Carolina

You can play casino games with several free-to-play operators who offer their services in North Carolina. These social casinos enable you to enjoy the thrill of casino play without having to invest any of your own money.

Social Casinos vs. Sweepstakes Casinos

There is a subtle difference between social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. At both, you receive virtual tokens or coins that can be used in exchange for game play. These tokens have no real-money financial value and cannot be withdrawn as cash.

At sweepstakes casinos, however, you can use your virtual coins to qualify for certain games that offer a variety of prizes, including gift tokens and cash. While technically legal—because you are not wagering real money—the fact that you can win money puts such operators in a gray area.   

Can I Play Free Online Casino Games in North Carolina?

Yes, you can play slots and table games at social casinos in North Carolina. Many of these operators offer games created by top-class developers such as NetEnt and Evolution Gaming, which means you should enjoy an excellent online experience.

You could find hundreds of games to choose from, and you do not have to deposit any money, although you can spend on extra virtual tokens to boost your balance if you wish.    

How Old Do I Need to Be to Play at a Free-to-Play Casino in North Carolina?

You can play games at social casinos in North Carolina from the minimum age of 18 and up. This contrasts with the law that governs brick-and-mortar locations, where you will need to be at least 21 years old to be able to play.

BetRivers.net Social Casino

The BetRivers.net North Carolina platform is widely regarded as one of the best social casinos, if not the best, available in the state and across the United States. This is a quality offering, with more than 2,000 games to choose from.

That selection includes some free-play versions of classic slot titles, as well as table games and live dealer options. You can also visit a free-play sportsbook to wager on your favorite sports.

There are no cash rewards here; you play purely with virtual credits. It all starts with the chance to win up to $1,000 in those virtual credits on your first day—and every day after that.

• 🎁 Promotion: Collect up to $1,000 in virtual credits each day
• 👍 Why We Like this Casino: Huge selection of games from top operators, delivered through an excellent user interface

Offshore Casinos vs. Legal In-State NC Casinos

While we wait for the next steps towards the legalization of North Carolina online casinos, you may be tempted by certain offshore brands. These are operators based elsewhere that cannot hold a license in a state where online casinos are not yet legal.

We recommend you exercise extreme caution around such companies, and ideally do not use them. Standards of security and customer support are likely to be much lower than you find at licensed brands. If you find yourself in a dispute with offshore operators, you have no legal recourse and will probably lose your money.  

What Does the Future Look Like for Online Gambling in North Carolina?

We don't know exactly what the future holds for online casinos in North Carolina. It is not possible to predict how soon online casinos in North Carolina will be permitted to launch. However, it is to be hoped that the new opportunity to legally bet on sports from March 11, 2024 onwards will soften the historical opposition to the idea.

There will undoubtedly be some support for legislation that aims to add an online option to the brick-and-mortar provision in the state, which currently consists of just three casinos. It may take a couple of years, but with a bit of luck you may soon have the chance to visit North Carolina online casinos.

Author

Martin Booth

Senior Writer & Product Reviewer

@MartinBooth_

Martin Booth is a Senior Writer and Product Reviewer for BetCarolina.com. An expert at picking out exactly what sets each app apart, Martin is our go-to source when it comes to informing our readers on what the top betting apps and sites have to offer in North Carolina.