Best Real Money Casino Sites in North Carolina
North Carolina online casinos operate in a legal gray area, as the Tar Heel State has not yet regulated online gaming. However, residents can access online casinos that accept players from North Carolina through offshore platforms, offering a wide range of games like slots, poker, and table games. While the legal landscape is evolving, these platforms provide a safe and diverse gaming experience.
Continue reading to explore top-rated casinos, understand the legal nuances, and discover your best gaming options in North Carolina.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 751 | SLOTS 646 | OUR RATING 4.3 / 5 | Visit Site |
| 2 |
Wild Casino |
BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 1012 | SLOTS 802 | OUR RATING 4.1 / 5 | Visit Site |
| 3 |
Ignition Casino |
BONUS 150% up to $1,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 2-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 588 | SLOTS 491 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Visit Site |
| 4 |
Lucky Bonanza |
BONUS 500% up to $5,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 698 | SLOTS 581 | OUR RATING 3.1 / 5 | Visit Site |
| 5 |
Super Slots |
BONUS 250% up to $6,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 1015 | SLOTS 835 | OUR RATING 3.8 / 5 | Visit Site |
Gambling Highlights North Carolina
The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in North Carolina. From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18 – 21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Offshore only
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Start playing at North Carolina online casinos
Best Online Casinos that Accept Players From North Carolina
Discover top online casinos for North Carolina players, offering a wide range of games, secure payment options, and reliable customer support. These platforms are carefully selected to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. Review the recommended casinos below to find the ideal match for your gaming preferences.
DuckyLuck: Best Overall Online Casino
DuckyLuck Casino shines for North Carolina players with its fast Bitcoin payouts and extensive game variety. Our test involved a $25 deposit and a smooth Bitcoin withdrawal, highlighting its efficiency.
The casino offers a welcome bonus and automatic VIP perks, enhancing your experience at the site.
Top Features
- Duckyluck has a dozen video poker options.
- Excellent bonuses for new and recurring players.
- 95 – 98% Average RTP.
- Reliable payouts & banking methods.
Wild Casino: North Carolina’s Best Pick for Live Dealer Variety
Wild Casino, licensed by the Panama Gaming Control Board, accepts North Carolina players and brings together a huge game library, standout live dealer options, and strong player perks.
The site features 1,020+ games, covering everything from slots and blackjack to specialty titles and table games. The live dealer section really shines, with unique titles like Bet On Poker and T-Basket that you won’t find at many other casinos.
For players who enjoy competition, the site also hosts regular cash races, adding another way to win while keeping gameplay exciting. In my own experience, the customer support team was quick, friendly, and helpful, which is always reassuring when real money is involved.
Banking is flexible too. Crypto users can start with just $10 using Bitcoin, one of the lowest deposit minimums out there. New players are welcomed with 250 Free Spins, making it easy to try different games while stretching your first deposit.
Wild Casino’s mix of massive variety, unique live dealer options, and dependable support makes it a strong choice for North Carolina players who want a feature-rich casino with low entry points.
Top Features
- Licensed by Panama Gaming Control Board
- 1,020+ games: slots, blackjack, tables, specialty, and live casino
- Unique live dealer titles like Bet On Poker and T-Basket
- Regular cash races for added competition
- $10 Bitcoin minimum deposit
- 250 Free Spins Welcome Bonus
- Fast, reliable customer support
Ignition Casino: North Carolina’s Top Choice for Poker and Jackpots
Ignition Casino, licensed in Curaçao, accepts North Carolina players and delivers a strong mix of casino variety and poker action.
The site hosts 588 games from leading providers, including slots, table games, video poker, live dealer options, and specialty titles. Jackpot hunters will love the Hot Drop Jackpots, which sit alongside dozens of other progressive opportunities.
What really sets Ignition apart is the poker room, packed with daily tournaments and cash tables that give North Carolina players a chance to compete in a lively community setting.
Bonuses here are also player-friendly. The Crypto Welcome Bonus comes with a 25x playthrough requirement, which is lower than most competitors and makes it easier to actually turn bonus funds into real winnings.
With deposits starting at just $5 in Tether, it’s also one of the most accessible platforms for new players.
Ignition’s combination of jackpots, a dedicated poker room, and reasonable bonus terms makes it a go-to casino for North Carolina players who want more than just standard slots.
Top Features
- Licensed in Curaçao
- 588 games from top providers
- Hot Drop Jackpots and other progressive prizes
- Full poker room with tournaments and cash games
- $5 minimum deposit with Tether
- Crypto Welcome Bonus with 25x wagering
Super Slots: North Carolina’s Easy-Use Casino With Extra Spins
Super Slots Casino, licensed by the Panama Gaming Control Board, welcomes North Carolina players with a straightforward platform, fast navigation, and a strong lineup of games.
The site offers 889 titles, including slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, specialty games, and a live dealer section. Standout tables like T-Kick and Dice Duel add something different for players who enjoy fresh twists beyond standard blackjack or baccarat.
During my testing, the website ran smoothly and loaded pages quickly, making it simple to jump between categories. I also had a positive live chat experience, with responsive and helpful support.
New players can take advantage of the 300 Free Spins Welcome Bonus with no rollover requirement, which makes it far easier to turn spins into cashable winnings compared to the heavy restrictions at most casinos. Deposits are flexible too, starting at $20 for crypto or $25 for credit cards.
For North Carolina players who want a no-hassle site with strong support, unique live dealer games, and a stress-free bonus structure, Super Slots is an excellent choice.
Top Features
- Licensed by Panama Gaming Control Board
- 889 games across slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, specialty, and live dealer
- Unique live dealer titles: T-Kick and Dice Duel
- $20 crypto minimum / $25 credit card minimum
- 300 Free Spins Welcome Bonus (no rollover)
- Fast-loading site with responsive live chat support
Are Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina?
- Online casinos are not regulated in North Carolina, and no state-licensed platforms exist.
- Players can access offshore casinos, but these sites operate outside US jurisdiction and are not regulated under North Carolina law.
- Offshore casinos lack US consumer protections, increasing risks of unfair practices and delayed payouts. Choosing licensed, reputable sites mitigates these concerns.
- The legal gambling age in North Carolina is 21 for both land-based and online casino play.
North Carolina Online Slots & Casino Games
In North Carolina, online gambling exists in a legal gray area, but residents can still access a wide array of casino games through offshore platforms. These online casinos offer greater variety, flexibility, and accessibility compared to local options, allowing players to enjoy slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette from home. With evolving legal landscapes, these platforms provide a comprehensive gaming experience for all types of players.
Online Slots
North Carolina players can explore a vast selection of online slots, from classic Vegas games to modern video slots with high-quality graphics. These games offer, on average, high RTPs compared with physical slot machine rates and exciting features like bonus rounds and free spins, catering to different preferences.
Online Poker
Online poker is a popular choice for North Carolina players, offering a range of formats like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Offshore platforms provide cash games and tournaments, catering to different skill levels.
Blackjack
Blackjack is favored for its strategic depth and simplicity. North Carolina players can access both traditional and live dealer versions, offering an authentic casino experience. The live dealer option adds a social element, enhancing engagement and interaction.
Roulette
Roulette enthusiasts can enjoy American, European, and French versions, each with unique rules and betting options. This variety allows North Carolina players to choose the style that best fits their strategy, ensuring a dynamic and personalized gaming experience.
North Carolina Casino Apps
Currently, North Carolina does not offer dedicated real-money casino apps due to the lack of state-regulated online gambling. However, this doesn’t limit mobile gaming options. Residents can access offshore online casinos that accept North Carolina players through mobile-optimized websites. These sites offer a seamless gaming experience, allowing users to sign up, deposit, and play directly from their smartphones without needing a dedicated app.
Explore these mobile-friendly platforms for convenient, on-the-go play and enjoy a wide range of casino games right from your mobile device.
North Carolina Online Casino Laws
North Carolina has a restrictive approach to gambling, with land-based gaming limited to tribal casinos and no state-regulated online casinos. While online gambling is not explicitly addressed in state law, North Carolina does not license or regulate online casino operators. This means residents seeking to play online casino games must rely on offshore platforms.
The state does regulate land-based casinos, lottery games, and charitable gambling, while most forms of social gambling remain prohibited. Below is an overview of North Carolina’s gambling laws.
| Category | Legal Status & Key Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casinos | North Carolina does not regulate or license online casinos. Residents can access offshore platforms, but these sites operate outside US jurisdiction and lack state consumer protections. Players should choose reputable, licensed sites. |
| Land-Based Casinos | The state permits three tribal casinos operated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. These casinos offer slots, table games, and sportsbooks. No commercial casinos are allowed. |
| Poker | North Carolina law does not explicitly allow private gambling. Any game involving money or property, such as charitable raffles or bingo, could be considered illegal unless specifically exempted. |
| Social Gambling | North Carolina law does not explicitly allow private gambling. Any game involving money or property could be considered illegal unless specifically exempted, such as charitable raffles or bingo. |
| Taxes on Winnings | Casino winnings are subject to federal taxation. North Carolina does not impose a state tax on gambling winnings, but players must report all earnings to the IRS. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
North Carolina’s gambling laws remain strict, with limited expansion efforts. While online sports betting was legalized in 2023, no formal steps have been taken to regulate online casinos. Until legislative changes occur, residents looking to play online casino games will need to rely on offshore platforms that accept North Carolina players.
North Carolina Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
Folks in the Tar Heel State have always gambled. Generally, the law hasn’t played along until the last few decades when the federal government allowed casinos on tribal land.
Below is a closer look at how the law approaches different types of gambling in North Carolina.
Land-Based Casinos
North Carolina is home to three land-based casinos, all owned and operated by Native American tribes.
Under provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the tribes enter and renew compacts with the state’s governor to determine the types of games they offer. Otherwise, the tribal casinos are federally regulated.
Two of the casinos are resort casinos offering slots and live table games. A third casino offers slots and electronic table games.
All three of the operations host sportsbooks. Legislators have proposed authorization of four more land-based casinos in the eastern part of the state, but the plan did not get budget approval in 2023.
Horse & Dog Tracks
North Carolina has no pari-mutuel horse tracks.
In 2021, legislators offered a proposal to establish a state racing commission to “determine the appropriate location and number of tracks,” but the plan never got out of committee.
The state’s new online sports betting law includes internet racebooks. However, none have been launched yet, and none of the state’s three casinos have a racebook, although they could if they chose to.
North Carolina has several famous thoroughbred steeplechase races, but none allow legal betting. Greyhound racetracks were ruled illegal in the 1950s.
North Carolina has several famous thoroughbred steeplechase races, but none allow legal betting. Greyhound racetracks were ruled illegal in the 1950s.
Bingo, Lottery and Charitable Gambling
Bingo has been popular in the Tar Heel State for decades, first sponsored by charitable groups and later high-stakes games hosted by the Cherokee Tribe.
More than 150 charitable bingo halls are located throughout North Carolina.
Licensed by the state, these operations can hold up to two sessions per week and offer prizes no higher than $500.
Cherokee Tribal Bingo, the last high-stakes bingo operation, closed in 2021 during the COVID pandemic and had no plans of reopening.
Nonprofits can also hold up to four raffles per year, offering cash prizes of no more than $125,000 or merchandise worth up to $250,000. Land and buildings valued at up to $500,000 may also be raffled yearly.
North Carolina has sponsored a lottery since 2006, and its proceeds have raised nearly $10 billion for public education.
The games include typical numbers tickets, scratch cards, keno, and other instant-win games. The NC Lottery is part of the nationwide Powerball and Mega Millions pool.
Social Gaming at Home
North Carolina law does not specifically address small-stakes games at home. So, the provision stating that it is illegal to “play or bet on any game of chance that involves winning money, property or anything of value” presumably applies.
The legal exceptions are drawn out in the gambling statute, but a home games like poker is not one of them.
Like gambling online, small-stakes games occur, and violations are practically unenforceable.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
There is only one legal land-based poker room in the Tar Heel State – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, west of Asheville.
Professional players know this place because the casino hosts major events on the World Series of Poker tour.
The poker room has 32 tables and hosts cash games of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Hi-Lo Omaha, and 7-card stud.
Blinds start at $1, and you can find fixed-limit hold ’em games.
The house charges a percentage rake that depends on the pot size of the game. Harrah’s also hosts daily tournaments with buy-in fees that range from $80 to $250.
Sports Betting
North Carolina made online sports betting legal in 2023, and major sportsbooks launched on March 11, 2024.
The state Lottery Commission licenses and regulates sportsbooks and betting kiosks located in major professional sports stadiums, arenas, and golf courses that host pro tournaments.
Horse racing betting with online racebooks is also allowed, although none have been launched yet.
Video Gaming Machines
Since the 1990s, North Carolina courts and the General Assembly have been trying to deal with the legality of video gambling machines that pop up periodically at convenience stores, smoke shops, and parlors.
The legislature has limited or made them illegal with laws passed in 2000, 2007, and 2010. But game makers and machine owners have managed to circumvent the law by tweaking the machines and how payouts work.
In 2024, gambling machines were still located throughout the state, and a bill was proposed to regulate them.
Comparing Casino Options for North Carolina Players
North Carolina offers several casino options, including online casinos, land-based tribal casinos, and online social casinos. Although the state lacks commercial casinos, these alternatives provide unique experiences and benefits. This section compares these options to help players make informed choices.
| Key Factors | Online Real Money Casinos | Land-Based Casinos | Online Social Casinos |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Regulated | ⓧ | ✓ | ⓧ |
| Real Money Play | ✓ | ✓ | ⓧ |
| Free Play | ✓ | ⓧ | ✓ |
| Bonuses & Promos | ✓ | ⓧ | ✓ |
| Play from Anywhere | ✓ | ⓧ | ✓ |
| Licensed | ✓ | ✓ | ⓧ |
| Privacy | ✓ | ⓧ | ✓ |
Choosing the Best Casino Type for North Carolina Players
For players in North Carolina, online casinos emerge as the most versatile and convenient option. They allow gaming from the comfort of home, ensuring privacy and access to real-money games.
Unlike land-based casinos, which require travel to tribal areas, online platforms offer a broad selection of games and attractive bonuses. While online social casinos provide free entertainment, they lack the real money play many players desire.
Overall, online casinos offer the best combination of accessibility, privacy, and financial incentives, making them the top choice for North Carolina players.
A Brief History of North Carolina Gambling
North Carolina’s gambling history is marked by the growth of tribal casinos and the cautious approach to online gaming. While the state has not legalized online casinos, residents can access offshore platforms, reflecting a complex regulatory environment.
Key Events in North Carolina Gambling History
- 1988 – The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act enables federally recognized tribes to operate casinos, setting the stage for tribal gaming in North Carolina.
- 1994 – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opens the state’s first tribal casino, offering limited gaming options.
- 2005 – The North Carolina Education Lottery is established, providing a legal framework for state-run gambling and supporting educational funding.
- 2012 – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort expands to include live table games, enhancing the state’s casino offerings.
- 2019 – Legislation permits sports betting at tribal casinos, marking a significant development in North Carolina’s gambling landscape.
- 2020 – The Catawba Indian Nation receives federal approval to build a casino in Kings Mountain, further expanding tribal gaming.
- Present Day – Online casinos accepting North Carolina players remain unregulated by the state, with offshore sites continuing to serve residents.
North Carolina Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program offers prevention, treatment, and recovery services and promotes other problem gambling resources.
The NC Lottery website has a Play Smart section with a spending calculator and tips on responsible gambling.
In addition, the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling helps compulsive gamblers find help through counseling and training.
The Cherokee Tribe and their casinos are corporate sponsors of the program and display a Responsible Gambling message on their casino webpage.
The Future of Online Casinos in North Carolina
Currently, online casinos remain unregulated in North Carolina, pushing residents towards offshore platforms that offer diverse gaming experiences but lack local legal oversight. While sports betting has seen legislative progress, online casino gaming has yet to become a legislative priority. The state’s conservative approach suggests that immediate regulatory changes are unlikely. However, the increasing acceptance of digital gaming and its potential economic benefits could spark future discussions.
North Carolina may gradually reconsider its stance as neighboring states explore online gambling. Over the next few years, we could witness more dialogue and potential legislative proposals aimed at regulating online casinos. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for players to understand their gaming options and legal protections. The evolving landscape holds promise, and those interested should keep an eye on emerging opportunities.
FAQ
Common questions and answers about gambling in North Carolina may help you.
What payment methods are available for North Carolina players at online casinos?
Online casinos accepting North Carolina players typically offer credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and bank transfers. Check each casino’s banking page for specific options.
How quickly can I expect to receive my winnings from an online casino?
E-wallet withdrawals are usually processed within 24-48 hours, while bank transfers and card withdrawals may take 3-7 business days.
How do I verify the safety and reputation of an online casino?
Ensure the casino is licensed by authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission and uses SSL encryption to protect your data.
What are the typical deposit limits for North Carolina players at online casinos?
Minimum deposits usually range from $10-$20, with maximum limits varying from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the payment method and player status.