Online casinos still aren’t legal in North Carolina, even though the Tar Heel State has already given the green light to a few other types of online gambling (like sports betting, lottery games, and paid DFS contests).
But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck waiting around. Right now, the safest and easiest way to play casino-style games online here is through social and sweepstakes casinos.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best NC online casinos worth checking out, explain how these sites actually work, and cover everything else you need to know about gambling on the internet in North Carolina. Let’s dive right in.
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Best Online Casinos in North Carolina by Category
Our team at ATS.io has handpicked five of the best North Carolina online casinos that we think you’ll like. Here’s a quick look at how they stack up against one another… and also what makes each one worth checking out:
🎰 Best NC Online Casinos | 🎉 No Deposit Bonus | 🏦 First Purchase Deal | 🎮 Number of Casino Games | 💸 Min. Redemption |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. WOW Vegas | 250,000 WC + 5.00 SC | 1.5 Million WC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 2,000+ | 25 SC |
2. McLuck | 7,500 GC + 2.50 SC | 100K GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 1,500+ | 10 SC |
3. Stake.us | 250,000 GC + 25.00 SC | N/A | 2,000+ | ~50 SC (Depends on Crypto Price) |
4. Pulsz Bingo | 5,000 GC + 2.30 SC | 500K GC for $9.99 + 20 FREE SC | 900+ | 50 SC |
5. Crown Coins | 100,000 CC + 2.00 SC | 900K CC for $14.99 + 45 FREE SC | 500+ | 50 SC |

1. WOW Vegas: Best for Daily Promotions
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 1.75 Million WOW Coins + 35 FREE SC
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
If you’re the type of person who likes regular rewards, WOW Vegas is worth a look. At this NC online casino, there are plenty of ways to collect free Sweeps Coins: daily login bonuses, social media giveaways, happy hour discounts, and a loyalty system that rewards you the more you play.

They even run special events every day of the week (things like Magic Mondays, Book of Wins Tuesdays, and Mega Wednesdays), so there’s always something happening.
And with more than 2,000 games, including slots, live dealers, bingo, and scratch cards, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Read our WOW Vegas review to learn more.

2. McLuck Casino: Best for Progressive Jackpots
- 🎁 Welcome Offer: 57.5K Gold Coins + 30 FREE SC
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
McLuck is one of the best online casinos in North Carolina for players who care more about chasing jackpots than anything else.
Most of its slot games come with built-in progressive jackpots, and there are four different levels (Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand) with the top prize starting at 100,000 SC and climbing until it’s hit.

The game library is pretty solid too, with more than 1,500 titles to explore, and everyday players can unlock extra rewards through McLuck’s Loyalty Club. Interested? Read our full McLuck review to find out more.

3. Stake.us Casino: Best for Game Variety
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0
Stake.us is one of the top North Carolina online casinos if having lots of different games to choose from is what matters most to you.
There are more than 2,000 slots from top software providers like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, BGaming, and Playson. Plus, they’ve got table games, video poker, scratch cards, and a collection of “Stake Originals” (exclusive titles like Plinko, Crash, and Chicken you won’t find anywhere else).

New players also get 25 free SC when they sign up, and winnings can be redeemed straight to a crypto wallet in Bitcoin or Ethereum. You can check out our complete Stake.us review for more info on games, bonuses, and other important features.

4. Pulsz Bingo: Best for Fast Payouts
- 🎁 Welcome Offer: 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins at Sign Up
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.3/5.0
Pulsz Bingo is the best online casino in North Carolina if quick access to your winnings is a top priority.
The verification process is easy for new users, and most first-time redemptions to a bank account or Skrill wallet are processed within a day or two, with all future withdrawals being even faster.

True to its name, there are bingo games running around the clock here, plus a solid lineup of slots and table games to round things out. Read our full Pulsz Bingo review if you’d like some more info and honest feedback on the site.

5. Crown Coins: Best for Mobile Gaming
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 200% Match on 1st Purchase + 2 FREE SC at Sign Up
- 🎉 Promo Code: CLICK HERE
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 3.8/5.0
Crown Coins is one of the best North Carolina online casinos if you plan to play mostly on your phone.
The mobile app is completely free to download on both the App Store and Google Play, and it runs smoothly with quick load times and full access to everything you’d find on the desktop site.

There are more than 500 slots to choose from, plenty of big jackpots to win, and the platform has built a pretty strong reputation among players. Read our full Crown Coins review to learn more.
Are Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina?
The short answer is no. You can’t legally play online casino games for real money here. And sites or apps that offer real-money casino games aren’t supposed to let people in North Carolina sign up and play either.
The main law behind all of this is NC General Statutes § 14-292. It’s been on the books for a long time, and it makes two things pretty clear:
- It’s illegal for anyone to run a game of chance where money or anything else of value is on the line.
- It’s also illegal to bet or play in one of those games yourself.
If you do either of those things, it’s considered a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The law never actually uses the word “online” (or anything similar), but that’s mostly because it was written before gambling sites and apps even existed. In practice, though, it’s interpreted broadly enough to include internet gambling too.
Offshore Casinos
Even though real-money online casinos aren’t supposed to accept North Carolina players, some of them do it anyway. These are called “offshore casinos,” and they’re based overseas (way outside U.S. jurisdiction).
And because NC gambling laws mainly go after the companies that run these sites, not the players, a lot of people think these offshore gambling sites are the perfect option.
But here’s the thing: they’re really not. These sites come with a bunch of problems that don’t always show up until after you’ve deposited money.
- Nobody’s watching them. There’s no U.S. regulator making sure they’re doing things fairly. If they decide not to pay you, there’s basically no one you can call for help.
- Getting your money out can be a nightmare. Some of these sites drag out the verification process on purpose. They’ll keep asking for new documents, stalling things for weeks (sometimes months) before approving a payout.
- They make their own rules… and change them. Terms are often vague, and operators will sometimes claim you broke one of them just so they can refuse your winnings.
- Your info might not be safe. You’re handing over banking details to a company you can’t really vet. If that data isn’t handled securely, there’s no recourse if something goes wrong.
- The bonuses sound great, but… The fine print usually includes wagering requirements so ridiculous that cashing out is basically impossible.
- And the spam never stops. Once you sign up, expect calls, texts, emails, and even physical mail that push new offers and encourage you to keep gambling.
When you put all of that together, offshore casinos stop looking like an easy workaround and start looking like a headache waiting to happen. I wouldn’t recommend using them; the risks just don’t come close to being worth it.
Social Casinos & Sweepstakes Casinos
Since North Carolina doesn’t license or regulate real-money online casinos (and offshore sites come with a whole lot of risks), the best option for anyone who wants to play casino games online is to use social casinos.

Here’s how social casinos (also called “sweepstakes casinos”) work. Instead of betting cash directly, you use two types of virtual currency:
- 🟡 Gold Coins (GC): These are just for entertainment and don’t have any real value. You get them for free when you sign up and can buy more if you want to keep playing.
- 🟢 Sweeps Coins (SC): These are usually given as a bonus when you purchase Gold Coins or through free promotions. You can use them to play the same games, and anything you win can be redeemed for real cash prizes.
Because you’re not technically wagering money and can’t buy Sweeps Coins outright, these sites fall outside traditional gambling laws. That’s why they’re legal here in North Carolina and in most other states across the U.S.
These are the same types of online casinos we covered earlier in the guide (WOW Vegas, McLuck, Stake.us, etc). And for now, they’re the best and safest option for players in the Tar Heel State.
Which Online Casino Games Can You Play in North Carolina?
When it comes to games, North Carolina’s social casinos don’t cut any corners. You’ll find everything you’d expect to see at a traditional online gambling site. And honestly, in my experience, there’s usually even more options to explore.
Let’s take a quick look at the different types of games you’ll have to choose from:

Slots
Slots make up the bulk of most casino libraries, and that’s no different here. There are plenty of old-school, three-reel games if you like to keep things simple, along with newer titles that throw in bonus rounds, expanding wilds, and massive jackpots for extra fun.

Table Games
If you’re more into strategy than spinning reels, table games have you covered.
Blackjack and roulette are always front and center, but most North Carolina sites go beyond the basics with different versions of baccarat, craps, and even unique twists on classic games you won’t find in a land-based casino.

Video Poker
Video poker is perfect if you like a mix of luck and decision-making. Most NC online casinos offer multiple variants, from Jacks or Better to Deuces Wild, and some even have high-volatility versions with bigger potential payouts.

Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games bring that real casino feel to your screen. Instead of random number generators, you’re watching a real person deal cards or spin the wheel in real time.
Most North Carolina sites offer live versions of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, and some even feature game-show-style options that are a lot more interactive than traditional games.

Specialty Games
If you want something a little different, check out the specialty section. It’s a mixed bag: bingo, keno, scratch cards, and even arcade-style games all fall into this category.
These are great for when you want a quick game that doesn’t require much thought but still gives you a shot at winning big.
North Carolina Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
One of the best things about playing at online casinos in North Carolina? They all give you a no-deposit bonus when you sign up. Seriously. Every single one. That’s not something most gambling sites offer, which makes it a pretty big deal here.
So why do they do it? The answer’s simple: they have to. These sites run on a sweepstakes model to stay within North Carolina’s gambling laws, and for a sweepstakes contest to be legal, there has to be a free way to enter and participate. A no-deposit bonus is how they make that happen.
Here are 10 of the best offers you can grab right now. And the best part is, you don’t have to spend a cent to claim any of them:
🎰 NC Online Casinos | 🎁 No Deposit Bonuses |
---|---|
RealPrize | 100K Gold Coins + 2.00 Sweeps Coins |
Mega Bonanza | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweepstakes Coins |
Stake.us | 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash |
High 5 Casino | 3 FREE SC, 400 GC, & 300 Diamonds |
McLuck | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweeps Coins |
Spree Casino | 1 Million Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins |
Moonspin | 60K Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins |
PlayFame | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweeps Coins |
WOW Vegas | 250K WOW Coins + 5.00 Sweepstakes Coins |
The Money Factory | 15K Gold Coins + 3 Sweepstakes Coins |
Looking for even more deals? Check out our full guide to North Carolina online casino no-deposit bonuses. It covers a bunch of other free play promotions from top casino sites and apps here in NC.
Payment Options at North Carolina Casino Sites
You can’t make real-money deposits at sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina. Instead, you buy Gold Coins. And with those purchases, you’ll get some bonus Sweeps Coins (usually at a rate of about 1.00 for every $1.00 spent).
You also can’t just withdraw cash after a win. Instead, you redeem those Sweeps Coins for real-money prizes or, in some cases, gift cards. (That’s after you’ve met any wagering requirements and reached the minimum redemption threshold in place.)
The one thing that is the same, though? The payment methods. Sweepstakes casino sites here use the same ones you’d find at real-money gambling platforms. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll typically see:

Credit & Debit Cards
Still the most common option by far. Most NC online casinos accept major cards like Visa and Mastercard, and payments usually go through instantly.

Bank Transfers
A good choice if you prefer moving money directly between your bank and the casino. Transfers can take a bit longer, but they’re safe and widely supported.

E-Wallets
Digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, and Skrill are another easy option. They’re fast, simple, and a lot of players like them because they don’t have to enter banking info on the social casino site itself.

Cryptocurrency
Some North Carolina sweepstakes casinos also accept crypto like Bitcoin or Ethereum. It’s not offered everywhere, but when it is, transfers are usually quick and fees are low.
How to Play Casino Games Online in North Carolina for Real Money
Regular online gambling sites aren’t permitted to operate in North Carolina yet, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There’s still a legal way to play casino games on your phone and maybe even walk away with some real cash winnings. Here’s what to do:
1. Choose a Sweepstakes Casino
First, pick a legal sweepstakes casino that accepts NC players. WOW Vegas, McLuck, and Stake.us are a few popular options that you might want to try.
2. Register for a New Account
Next, make your account. It’s pretty quick; usually, a name, email, and password are all they need. A few sites might ask for your birthday or address too, just to make sure you’re old enough to play and live in an eligible state.
3. Claim Your Welcome Offer
Most North Carolina online casino sites give you a bonus as soon as you join. It’s usually free spins (GC & SC), and it’s a good way to test things out before spending anything.
4. Make a Purchase (Optional)
Spending money isn’t required, but some North Carolina players choose to. Buying Gold Coin bundles can give you more chances to play and sometimes more chances to win. Totally up to you, though.
5. Play Games & Redeem Prizes
At that point, you’re good to go. Try out the games, have some fun, build up your Sweeps Coin balance, and once you win enough, you can trade them in for real money prizes. That’s really all there is to it.
The Future of NC Online Casinos: What’s Next?
So, when will North Carolina finally legalize real-money online casinos? Honestly, nobody has a clue. There isn’t a set timeline, and a lot of pieces would have to fall into place before it happens.
Lawmakers haven’t shown much interest so far (no serious bills have been introduced), and you’d probably see some pushback from tribal casinos if they ever did. It makes sense, too, since online gambling could eat into their in-person business.
Even so, there are a few reasons to think it could happen eventually. The state already took a big step by launching online sports betting, which shows they’re at least open to expanding gambling beyond what’s on the books now.
And the money on the table is hard to ignore. West Virginia, just up the road, pulls in tens of millions of dollars every year from its online casino market. That kind of tax revenue gets people’s attention.
Still, it’s probably not happening anytime soon. It could take years before anything really moves forward. But if the situation changes, you can bet we’ll have all the details for you here at ATS.io.
Online Casinos That Could Go Live in North Carolina Soon
If the day comes when online casino gambling is legal here, the biggest names in the industry won’t waste any time trying to launch in NC. You’d likely see brands like:
- DraftKings Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- BetMGM
- Caesars Palace Online Casino
- Golden Nugget Online Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- Fanatics Casino
- Horseshoe Online Casino
Other Legal Ways to Gamble Online in North Carolina
Online casinos might be off-limits here, but that doesn’t mean you have zero online gambling options. Far from it. There are still a few ways to legally place bets or play games on your phone. And people in North Carolina use them every day. Here’s what’s out there right now:

Sports Betting
Online sports betting is fully legal here now. Lawmakers passed HB 347 in June 2023, and the first North Carolina online sportsbooks went live the following March.
Since then, you’ve probably seen names like DraftKings, FanDuel, and ESPN BET popping up. More operators will likely launch in the coming years, too.

Horse Racing
This one’s a bit messy. North Carolina legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse races at the same time as sports betting. But here’s the problem: the state still hasn’t licensed anyone to offer it.
So yes, betting on horse racing is technically legal. But in practice, there’s nowhere to actually do it online. Until that changes, this option is stuck in limbo.

Daily Fantasy Sports
DFS is handled differently here. The state doesn’t have a specific law legalizing it, but it hasn’t banned it either.
Lawmakers treat it as a game of skill, which is why (for now, at least) companies can offer paid contests without jumping through the same hoops as traditional gambling sites.
Because of that, platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog all accept North Carolina players. You can draft lineups, build entries, and compete for cash prizes… all without breaking any laws.

Lottery Games
The North Carolina Education Lottery has also moved online. You don’t need to visit a gas station or convenience store anymore; you can buy tickets straight from the website or mobile app.
That includes Carolina Pick 3, Carolina Pick 4, Cash 5, Lucky For Life, Mega Millions, Powerball, and even some instant-win digital games.
North Carolina Online Gambling Laws Explained
North Carolina’s become a pretty solid place to gamble online. You can wager on sports, play the lottery, even enter DFS contests… all from your phone. But before you do any of that, it’s worth knowing the basics. We covered some of it already, but here’s a quick summary of what’s allowed and what isn’t:
🎲 Type of Gambling | 👍 Is It Legal? |
---|---|
Real-Money Online Casinos | ❌ No |
Online Poker | ❌ No |
Social/Sweepstakes Casinos | ✅ Yes (operate legally using a promotional sweepstakes model) |
Online Sports Betting | ✅ Yes (legalized through House Bill 347 in June 2023) |
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ Yes (considered a “game of skill,” not traditional gambling) |
Online Horse Race Betting | ✅ Yes (also legalized through HB 347, but the market has not yet launched here) |
Online Lottery Games | ✅ Yes (approved by the NC Education Lottery Commission in August 2023) |
Now, let’s go over a few of the main rules you should actually pay attention to.
What’s the Legal Gambling Age?
It’s not the same across the board. If you want to bet on sports online, you’ve got to be 21. Online lottery games or daily fantasy? 18 is fine.
Social and sweepstakes casinos don’t follow the same rules since they aren’t technically gambling under state law. Because of that, the age limit changes from site to site. Most stick with 21, but a handful let you in at 18.
Who Regulates Online Gambling?
Everything runs through the North Carolina Lottery Commission. They’re the ones watching over sportsbooks and state lottery games, making sure things stay safe and fair.
If online casinos ever become legal here, it’s almost a guarantee this same group would be in charge of licensing and regulating them too.
Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Gambling Winnings?
Yeah, you do. The money you win is treated just like income from a job, so you have to report it. That means both federal and state taxes.
- For federal taxes, your winnings just get added to everything else you make, and the IRS taxes that total based on your income bracket. The more you earn overall, the higher the percentage you’ll owe.
- The state taxes are a little simpler. North Carolina uses a flat 3.99% income tax starting in 2026, so everyone pays the same rate no matter what.
And if you’re not sure how this all applies to you, checking in with a tax professional is always a good idea.
North Carolina vs Neighboring States
One last thing before we wrap up this section: wondering how North Carolina stacks up against the states around it when it comes to online gambling? Take a look at the table below to get the full picture:
State | Online Casinos | Online Poker | Online Sports Betting |
---|---|---|---|
North Carolina | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched March 2024) |
Virginia | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched January 2021) |
South Carolina | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
Tennessee | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched November 2020) |
Georgia | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
Kentucky | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched September 2023) |
West Virginia | ✅ Legal (Launched July 2020) | ✅ Legal (Launched June 2025) | ✅ Legal (Launched August 2019) |
Maryland | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched November 2022) |
Alabama | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
Mississippi | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Must be physically located on casino property, though) |
Florida | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Launched November 2021) |
As you can see, online sports betting is way more common in this part of the country than online casino gaming. West Virginia is the one real outlier. It’s currently the most southern state in the U.S. with legal, real-money online casinos and online poker sites.
Online sports betting, on the other hand, has spread much more widely. It’s already legal and available in places like Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, along with a few others nearby.
And that probably explains why North Carolina lawmakers put their energy into legalizing online sportsbooks first instead of jumping straight to online casinos.
North Carolina’s Land-Based Casinos
If online casinos aren’t really your thing, you’re not out of options here. North Carolina has three real casinos you can walk into and wager real money at.
They’re all run by tribal nations (commercial casinos still aren’t allowed to open here), and they have pretty much everything you could hope for: slot machines, blackjack tables, roulette wheels, and even places to bet on sports.
Here’s a bit more info about each one:

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
- 📍 Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
- 📞 Phone Number: (828) 497-7777
This is the big one. Most people who’ve been to a casino in North Carolina were probably here. It’s owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and run by Caesars. The gaming floor is massive (it’s around 150,000 square feet!) with more than 3,000 slots and over 160 table games.
It’s set up to be more than just a casino, too. There’s a hotel on-site, plenty of food options, a spa, and a concert space that gets some solid shows. If you’re planning a weekend trip built around gambling, this is usually where people go.

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino
- 📍 Address: 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906
- 📞 Phone Number: (828) 422-7777
This one’s down in Murphy, near the Georgia line. It’s smaller and more low-key, but still has plenty to do. There are about 1,000 slot machines, 60 table games, and a Caesars Sportsbook if you want to bet on some games.
They also added a bowling alley and an arcade, so there’s more to do if you’re visiting with a group. A lot of people stop by here if they’re already in western North Carolina or making a trip from Atlanta.

Catawba Two Kings Casino
- 📍 Address: 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
- 📞 Phone Number: (704) 750-7777
The newest casino is Catawba Two Kings, about 35 miles west of Charlotte. It’s still pretty early in its development, so right now it’s operating out of a temporary building. Even so, it’s open 24/7 and already has more than 1,000 slots running.
Construction is moving ahead. A smaller “intro” casino is expected to open in spring 2026, and the full $273 million resort (with a hotel, restaurants, and a much bigger gaming floor) is planned for spring 2027.
Responsible Gambling in North Carolina
Even though online gambling options are growing here, it’s still important to approach them responsibly. If you ever feel like things are getting a little out of hand, there are lots of organizations in NC (and beyond) that can help you out.
North Carolina Online Casino FAQs
Nope. Online casino gambling hasn’t been legalized in NC yet. So, you can’t play slots, blackjack, or roulette for real money here. Social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are allowed, though. They let you register for free (no deposit required) and play games for a chance to win real cash prizes through sweepstakes promotions.
No, FanDuel Casino isn’t legal in North Carolina. Even though FanDuel Sportsbook is active here, online casinos aren’t permitted under state law, so they can’t offer slots, table games, or anything else. The same goes for DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and pretty much every other popular casino brand out there.
No, you can’t. Real-money poker sites like PokerStars aren’t legal in NC right now. If you want to play online, your only option is to use social casinos or sweepstakes casinos that offer online poker games. Global Poker and Clubs Poker are a few sites you might like.
North Carolina legalized online sportsbooks in June 2023 (when the North Carolina General Assembly passed HB 347 and Gov. Roy Cooper signed the bill into law). Online casino gambling, however, hasn’t been legalized here yet.