North Carolina Sports Betting: The Best North Carolina Betting Sites for 2024

Unfortunately for North Carolina’s bettors, the conservative state’s gambling scene is relatively dry. As one of the oldest states in the nation, an anti-gambling stance was built into North Carolina’s laws early on and has changed very slowly over time. Lotteries were allowed in the early 1800s and a horse and dog racing track opened in 1948. Only in the ‘90s did the state receive its first casino, operated by the Cherokee tribe. Daily Fantasy eventually came to the state but even that has been an uphill battle, with some politicians protesting the games. North Carolina sports betting is currently illegal, though several new bills are on the table, though it remains to be seen what the results will be. If you want some more detailed information, you can see the page about gambling in North Carolina.

Gambling Laws in North Carolina

As mentioned previously, gambling laws in North Carolina are notoriously tough and have been for a long time — dating back to the 1700s! Luckily, demands from residents and trends across the nation have encouraged lawmakers to make progress towards more a more open stance towards gambling. Big steps include the introduction of tribal-run casinos in 1997 and 2015. Several bills pertaining to sports betting specifically are currently making their way through North Carolina’s congress — HB 929, SB 154 and HB 302 — which could drastically alter the state’s betting landscape for the better.

Most Popular Sports in North Carolina

Sports fans in North Carolina have no shortage of options when it comes to playing, or supporting local teams. Football is hugely popular, with the Carolina Panthers being the state’s most known professional sports franchise. The Hurricanes, NC’s NHL team, is nothing to shake a stick at either, as winners of the prestigious Stanley Cup in 2006. Beyond that, the Charlotte Hornets represent NC in the NBA, and the state boasts many minor league baseball teams, numerous college sports programs and an active NASCAR fanbase.

Here are the most popular sports and resulting betting markets in North Carolina:

Football – Carolina Panthers

Though headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Panthers’ stellar teamsmanship has endeared to the Carolinas as a whole. They played their first season in 1995 and appeared in the Super Bowl in 2002-2003. Notable players have included Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton and long-time offensive tackle Jordan Gross. Catch them playing in a heated match against one of their rivals — the Falcons or the Buccaneers — and you are sure to witness an impressive display of athleticism and skill.

Ice Hockey – Carolina Hurricanes

Though the original team formed in 1971/72, the Hurricanes did not really become what we know today until 1997, when they moved to North Carolina. They quickly won over fans, racking up multiple conference and division championships, and of course, the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Basketball – Charlotte Hornets

Though the Hornets have had a few relocations and name-changes, their origin begins in Charlotte in 1988 and has found its way back after many years. Kemba Walker, Larry Johnson and Gerald Wallace are several of the many illustrious players that have made this team shine throughout its history.

Baseball – Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team is one of the biggest to come out of this state. Representing the University of North Carolina, they compete in the highest division of college baseball, with the team proving to be dominant over the past years, they have managed to draft many players into the MLB.

Local History of Sports Betting

As you probably know by now, gambling has taken its sweet time to come to North Carolina, one of the more conservative areas in the nation. Regulations date back as early as 1753, and casino gambling has only been legalized in the last 25 years. We can hope that, as with many other states, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) will give legislators a nudge in the right direction and help expand the options for sports betting in North Carolina soon.

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in North Carolina

Sports betting has not yet been legalized in North Carolina, though proposed bills in congress indicate that this change might not be far off! In the meantime, we cannot say for certain what the legal online sports betting age would be, but it is likely to follow the legal drinking age with is 21 years old.

• Sports Betting Age
  There is currently no age, as there is no legal sports gambling in North Carolina.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age is 21 in North Carolina.
• Weed Age
  There is currently no age, as there is no legal marijuana usage in North Carolina.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Perhaps because of North Carolina’s ingrained anti-gambling stances, it has been slow to adopt new forms of betting such as online sports betting. Up until recently, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) had limited sports betting in almost every state. The aforementioned ruling by the Supreme Court in 2018 has struck down PASPA, meaning many states may now develop legal online betting. You can learn more about Delaware sports betting, for example, which is legal when accessed from within that state, but not from within North Carolina.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

The taxing of winnings on earnings from gambling in North Carolina have not yet been determined since all forms of gambling are still illegal in the state. If betting becomes legal, it is likely that winnings will be taxed, following suit of other states and many European countries, like Germany where a 5% tax on all winnings is in place.

Upcoming Regulation Changes in North Carolina Betting Law

Two promising bills could make online sports betting a reality in North Carolina sooner than you’d think! Currently, HB 302 and SB 154 both seek to authorize sports wagering on tribal lands. As indicated, they would seek to allow already-established tribal casinos control and regulation over all future sports betting, which will hopefully include online betting as well. North Carolina has been slow to adapt to changes in the gambling industry, but this is a positive step and could mean big changes in the near future.

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Tennessee
• Georgia