You are here:
#1
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get 200% up to $3000 + 30 Free Spins
All Payment Methods:
Amex, Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Mastercard, Visa, Ethereum and 2 more
We offer over 32,178 free slots. Start here.
Online Casino North Carolina — Laws, What’s Legal, and Safe Ways to Play (2025)
Real-money online casinos aren’t legal in North Carolina –yet– but you’ve got plenty of ways to play.
What’s legal: tribal retail casinos; social/sweepstakes sites (virtual coins, prize redemptions); lottery; licensed online sportsbooks. We’ll update this page promptly if legalization moves forward!
How We Rate
Affiliate Disclosure
#2
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get 300% up to $3000 + 30 Free Spins on Fortunate Buddha
All Payment Methods:
Amex, Bank Wire, Bitcoin, Diners club international, Easyeft, Mastercard and 9 moreExclusive to VegasSlotsOnline
Rating
VSO Silver Award
Get a 250% Match Bonus up to $4,500 + 50 FS or (Crypto only) 500% up to $5,000 + 100 FS
All Payment Methods:
Eco, Mastercard, Visa#4
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get 250% up to $2,500 + 50 Free Spins on the hottest slots
All Payment Methods:
Bank Wire, Mastercard, Neteller, VisaEXCLUSIVE | CODE: VSO500
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Sign up and get 500% Match + 25 Spins
All Payment Methods:
Bitcoin, Diners club international, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Litecoin and 5 more#6
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Claim up to a $5,000 Welcome Bonus
All Payment Methods:
Apple, Mastercard, Visa, Interac, Google Pay, Crypto#7
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get up to $4,000 + 100 Free Spins
All Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Mastercard, Neosurf, Poli, VisaCrypto Casino
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get up to 250 Free Spins + 325% up to $7,000 or 5 BTC
All Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Diners club international, Idebit, Instadebit, Mastercard and 14 more#9
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get up to €450 + 250 Free Spins
All Payment Methods:
Astropay, Instadebit, Mastercard, Neosurf, Neteller, Paysafecard and 9 more#10
Rating
VSO Gold Award
Get up to $2500 Welcome Bonus
All Payment Methods:
Amex, Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Cheque, Mastercard, VisaWhat’s Legal in North Carolina Today
When you play at a North Carolina online casino site, the experience should be both secure and fun. That’s why our teams thoroughly research each and every casino we recommend using a number of criteria. At the end of the day, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience when you play at a North Carolina casino online. We look at a few key factors when choosing casinos to recommend.
Real-Money Online Casinos
Status: Not authorized in North Carolina. There are no state-licensed real-money casino sites or apps.
What this means: Any site claiming to offer real-money casino gambling “for North Carolina” without state authorization is unregulated. We recommend sticking to legal alternatives below.
Social & Sweepstakes Casinos (Legal Alternative)
Operate on a promotional sweepstakes model using two currencies.
A non-redeemable play currency (often “Gold Coins”) for entertainment, and
A sweepstakes currency (often “Sweeps Coins”) that, after meeting site rules, can be redeemed for prizes.
💡 Key points to know
No purchase necessary entry methods must be available.
KYC verification is required before prize redemption.
Age: Typically 18+, but always check each site’s T&Cs.
Sports Betting & Daily Fantasy
Online/mobile sports betting is legal and regulated at the state level. Users must be 21+ and physically located in NC when wagering.
DFS contests are also available from major operators (check each company’s rules).
Retail (In-Person) Casino Gambling
North Carolina has tribal casinos offering slots, table games, poker rooms, retail sportsbooks, dining, and hotels.
Age: 21+ for casino gambling and sports betting on property.
Lottery & Charitable Gaming
The North Carolina Education Lottery sells draw and instant games. Age 18+.
Charitable bingo/raffles operate under separate rules.
North Carolina Gambling Laws
General Gambling Prohibition: North Carolina law prohibits most forms of gambling unless specifically authorized by the state or by tribal–state compact.
Tribal Casino Gaming: Class III casino gaming is conducted on Indian lands pursuant to compacts between the state and federally recognized tribes.
Online Casino Status: No statute currently authorizes real-money online casino gambling statewide.
Practical takeaway: Legal options = tribal casinos (in person), lottery, social/sweepstakes sites, and regulated sports betting.
Who Regulates What?
North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC)
Oversees the lottery, responsible gambling resources, and the state’s legal sports wagering program.
Tribal Authorities
Tribal casinos operate under tribal–state compacts and federal oversight.
Social/Sweepstakes Sites
Operate under promotional sweepstakes rules and their own T&Cs (not casino licenses). Always review each site’s eligibility and redemption rules.
Where You Can Play in North Carolina (In Person)
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort: Cherokee, NC
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel: Murphy, NC
Catawba Two Kings Casino: Kings Mountain, NC (project evolving; check official site for current amenities and hours)
💡 Tip for Travelers
West Virginia is the closest state with legal real-money online casinos. If you’re physically in WV, you can use state-licensed casino apps there.
Age & Taxes at a Glance
Activity
Minimum age
Notes
Lottery (Draw/Instant)
18+
ID required for claims
Social/Sweepstakes Casinos
18+
Check each site’s T&Cs
Tribal Casino Gambling (Retail)
18+
Slots, tables, poker, retail sportsbooks
Online/Mobile Sports Betting
21+
Geolocation required
Do I owe North Carolina taxes on winnings?
Yes. Gambling winnings are taxable income. For tax year 2025, North Carolina’s individual income tax rate is 4.25% (in addition to any federal taxes). Keep records, W-2G forms, and consult a tax professional for details on reporting, withholding, and deducting losses.
How to Choose a Legal Way to Play (Safety First)
Legality
Confirm the product is state-regulated (sportsbooks, lottery) or a true sweepstakes site with no-purchase-necessary entry and published redemption rules.
Account Verification
Legit operators run KYC before paying prizes or winnings.
Payments & Redemptions
Look for transparent banking options and clear timelines for withdrawals or prize redemptions.
Fair Play & Game Info
For sports, check house rules and bet settlement policies. For sweeps, look for RNG testing statements and game RTP disclosures where provided.
Support & Limits
Prefer platforms that offer deposit/spend limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion tools.
Popular Game Types You’ll See in NC
Slots & Jackpot-style Games: Available at tribal casinos and in virtual form at sweeps sites (using play or sweeps currency).
Table Games: Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker rooms at tribal casinos; RNG/table-style variants at sweeps sites (prize redemption rules apply).
Live Dealer (In Person): Offered at tribal casinos; some sweeps sites simulate live play with streamed hosts (for entertainment currency).
Banking Basics (Legal Options Only)
On-Property (Retail Casinos)
Cash, cage services, and ATMs on site; sportsbooks add digital wallets where available.
Sportsbook Apps
Typically support online banking (ACH), debit cards, and licensed payment processors; withdrawal times vary by method and verification status.
Social/Sweepstakes Sites
Purchase play bundles with common digital methods (optional), then redeem sweeps currency for prizes per site rules. Always read the redemption and verification requirements before playing.
💡 Note
Avoid sharing banking details with unregulated offshore casino sites. They don’t hold a North Carolina license and offer limited consumer protections.
Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
If gambling stops being fun, help is available 24/7:
North Carolina Problem Gambling Program (NCPGP): 877-718-5543
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (call), TEXT 1-800-522-4700, or chat via ncpgambling.org
Tools to ask operators for: deposit limits, time limits, cool-offs, self-exclusion.
Parents/guardians: secure devices and banking access; monitor for underage play.
On-Property (Retail Casinos)
Cash, cage services, and ATMs on site; sportsbooks add digital wallets where available.
Sportsbook Apps
Typically support online banking (ACH), debit cards, and licensed payment processors; withdrawal times vary by method and verification status.
Social/Sweepstakes Sites
Purchase play bundles with common digital methods (optional), then redeem sweeps currency for prizes per site rules. Always read the redemption and verification requirements before playing.
💡 Note
Avoid sharing banking details with unregulated offshore casino sites. They don’t hold a North Carolina license and offer limited consumer protections.
North Carolina Online Casino FAQ
Are real-money online casinos legal in North Carolina?
No. The state has not authorized real-money online casino gambling.
So what online options are legal?
Licensed sportsbook apps, the state lottery, and social/sweepstakes casino sites that follow sweepstakes rules (no purchase necessary; KYC before redemptions).
What’s the legal gambling age in NC?
21+ for casino gambling and sports betting; 18+ for lottery and most social/sweepstakes sites (confirm each site’s T&Cs).
Are casino apps allowed?
Only sportsbook apps are state-licensed. Casino apps that offer real-money slots or tables are not authorized in NC.
Can I get in trouble for using offshore casino sites?
Unregulated sites operate outside North Carolina’s licensing system and lack state consumer protections. We recommend using legal alternatives.
Do I pay North Carolina taxes on gambling winnings?
Yes. Gambling winnings are taxable. For 2025, the state income tax rate is 4.25% (plus federal). Keep records and consult a tax professional
Where can I gamble in person?
At North Carolina’s tribal casinos (Cherokee, Murphy, Kings Mountain). Check official sites for hours, age policies, and available games.
Which nearby state has legal online casinos?
West Virginia offers licensed real-money online casinos if you’re physically present there.
Will North Carolina legalize online casinos?
There’s no law in force authorizing iGaming. Lawmakers occasionally discuss expansion; until a bill passes and the state issues licenses, online casinos remain not legal in NC.
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
You play with Gold Coins for fun or use Sweeps Coins earned or obtained through promotions. After meeting rules, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for prizes. Always read each site’s eligibility and redemption terms.
