Updated on: January 3rd, 2025
North Carolina online casinos are pretty popular given that the Tar Heel State does not regulate online gambling at all. Although NC has pretty strict regulations surrounding land-based gambling activities, their statutes fail to mention online gambling at all.
So, aside from visiting Harrah’s venues on tribal land, you can also gamble from your own home at the best NC online casinos. If you would like to find out more about how you can do so, keep reading. Below we go through all you need to know about gambling in North Carolina.
Gambling Laws in North Carolina
In North Carolina, gambling is defined as a game of chance where something of value is put up for stake. According to the defined regulations, limited forms of gambling are available. However, most activities are banned.
Here is a summary of what is permitted in the state of NC:
- Casinos are allowed only on tribal land. In 2019, sports betting was legalized in tribal casinos.
- Bingo games are allowed, but the prize is not allowed to exceed $500.
- The state runs lottery and raffle games.
- Horse racing, dog racing, and casinos off of tribal land are illegal.
- You are not allowed to own gaming machines for personal use.
The gambling games you are allowed to play in North Carolina include:
- Slots
- Video poker
- Poker
- Table games (blackjack, craps, roulette, Let It Ride, 3-card poker, mini baccarito)
- Sports betting
Table games are rarely available at casinos outside Nevada and New Jersey – even if it is a tribal casino. So, we think NC residents are pretty lucky to have access to popular favorites like blackjack, roulette, and more.
Online Gambling
There aren’t any laws prohibiting residents from gambling online in North Carolina. As a result, it is neither legal nor illegal, which, theoretically, should make it unpunishable – because it has not been declared to be an offense.
Before gambling online, we always recommend that players read the laws governing the activity in their state. But since there are no laws addressing online gambling in North Carolina, you should be able to gamble online. However, if you want to get a second opinion, we suggest you contact an attorney specializing in gaming-related laws.
Land-Based Casinos in North Carolina
As mentioned above, gambling laws in NC state that casinos are only allowed to operate on tribal lands. This means that you won’t find casino venues directly within major metropolitan centers. Here is a list of casinos in North Carolina:
| Casino | Address | Phone Number |
| Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort | I-85 Exit 5, Dixon School Road, Kings Mountain, NC | Unavailable |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort | 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719 | 828-497-7777 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino | 777 Casino Parkway, Murphy, NC 28906 | 828-656-1679 |
| Eastway Beach Bingo | 2835 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205 | (704) 563-7464 |
| Stumbilicious BINGO!! | 202 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401-2504 | (336) 691-1222 |
| Cherokee Tribal Bingo | Highway 19 North, Cherokee, NC 28719 | 800-410-1254 or 828-497-4320 |
NC Online Casinos – FAQs
The legal age for playing lottery games is 18. However, the legal age for playing gambling games in a casino is 21.
Yes, there are casinos in North Carolina. However, the law states that they are only allowed to operate on tribal land. NC land-based casinos offer visitors the chance to play both casino games and bet on sports.
North Carolina has three casinos. Then, some venues let you participate in bingo games for prizes that do not exceed $500. Bingo halls are actually allowed to operate within cities as opposed to casinos.
Yes, you can gamble online in North Carolina. There aren’t any laws governing online gambling, which means the activity is neither legal nor illegal. This means that you can gamble online in the state without fear of prosecution because it is a legal grey area.
However, if you are worried about the legal ramifications associated with the activity, we recommend you chat with an NC legal expert specializing in gaming.
There seems to be evidence both for and against North Carolina legalizing gambling soon. In terms of positive arguments, the state recently legalized sports betting to some capacity – the tribal casinos are now allowed to offer these services.
There is also a group in local government lobbying for these services due to the taxes that will be gained.
However, many groups in government still believe that it is in the state’s best interest to limit gambling activity in major metropolitan centers to reduce gambling harm.
Skill games also work in a legal grey area because they do not wholly fit the definition of a gambling game. Businesses that offer skill-based games are often in legal trouble because of the uncertainty surrounding these games.
This issue should be acknowledged soon as these types of games continue to pop up along the Eastern Coast.
Yes, sports gambling is legal in North Carolina. However, there are no online sportsbooks. These are the only venues allowed to offer sports betting services.
There are no casinos in Charlotte, North Carolina. The casino closest to the city is Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, which is about three hours away and close to the Tennessee border.
There are no casinos in Raleigh, North Carolina. The closest gambling venue to the city is probably The Big “M” Casino Ship II in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
