North Carolina Sports Betting: Best NC Sportsbooks October 2026

1. FanDuel Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: Overall mobile experience

FanDuel has captured the largest market share in the country, edging out rivals as the public’s favorite sportsbook. One big reason for this success is its mobile app, which features a sharp, intuitive design. A scroll along the top lets you select a sport or league quickly, making it a perfect tool for live betting or last-minute wagers.

In addition to one of the best sports betting apps in the industry, FanDuel consistently provides existing players with odds boosts and various promotions to help boost their bankrolls. For new users in North Carolina, the sign-up offer is: Get $250 in bonus bets when you bet $5 for 5 days.

With this current offer, you get $250 in bonus bets when you bet $5 every day for 5 days. You will receive $50 in bonus bets each day you place your daily $5 wager, completely removing any "win-to-get" requirements, and any bonus bets awarded must be used within seven days. Even though no FanDuel promo code is needed to claim this deal, joining a reputable and highly-rated platform like FanDuel ensures you're starting your North Carolina betting journey on the right foot.

» Check out our complete FanDuel sportsbook review for more info.

FanDuel Sportsbook Ratings

💰Sign-up Offer: Get $250 in Bonus Bets When You Bet $5 for 5 Days
🤩 Promo Code: None required
⭐ WSN Rating: 4.7/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.5/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your FanDuel NC Sportsbook Bonus

2. BetMGM Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: Ongoing promotions

MGM has been one of the most respected sportsbooks in Las Vegas for decades, and now they deliver that experience right into your device. The platform is gold and black, capturing that unique Vegas field. 

While BetMGM doesn’t have the enormous market share that FanDuel and DraftKings have, their online sportsbook can be found in 20 different states and Washington, DC. BetMGM has great promotions and a solid platform, but their rewards program sets them apart from the rest of the competition. Bettors can earn rewards such as free bets, VIP tickets, and even a free trip to their Las Vegas resort.

BetMGM is currently offering the following welcome bonus: Get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets. Use our BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS at sign-up.

» Learn more about all the features and betting options with our BetMGM Sportsbook review.

BetMGM Sportsbook Ratings

💰 Sign-up Offer: Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
🤩 Promo Code: WSNSPORTS
⭐ WSN Rating: 4.5/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.0/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your BetMGM NC Sportsbook Bonus

3. DraftKings Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: Straightforward welcome bonus

Since officially launching in North Carolina, DraftKings has firmly established itself as a premier destination for local sports bettors. The platform boasts an industry-leading mobile app that seamlessly integrates with its daily fantasy sports product, offering a sleek, data-rich interface that is incredibly easy to navigate. North Carolina bettors have access to a massive menu of betting options, featuring a highly praised Same Game Parlay builder, robust live betting markets, and frequent localized odds boosts.

New users in the Tar Heel State can currently claim a highly accessible welcome offer: Spend $5, get $150 in bonuses ($50 in bonus bets every 7 days for 14 days), requiring only a minimal initial wager to unlock bonus credits.

While the comprehensive prop markets and continuous user engagement promotions make DraftKings a top-tier choice, minor drawbacks include high rollover requirements on secondary deposit matches and an occasionally resource-heavy app that can drain mobile batteries. Ultimately, DraftKings remains an essential, top-performing app in any North Carolina bettor’s rotation.

» Find out more in our detailed DraftKings Sportsbook review.

DraftKings Sportsbook Ratings

💰 Sign-up Offer: Spend $5 Get $150 In Bonuses ($50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days for 14 days)
🤩 Promo Code: None required
⭐ WSN Rating: 4.6/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.2/5

Claim Your Bonus at DraftKings North Carolina

4. Fanatics Sportsbook

🏅 Best for: FanCash Rewards program

Fanatics is one of the newest operators to enter the online sports betting industry. They purchased PointsBet’s US business, allowing them to expand their new sportsbook quickly.

Fanatics has not disappointed. The platform looks good and is easy to use on your device. However, they set themselves apart with their unique FanCash Rewards program, and currently offer the following welcome offer for new users who register with our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code WSNFAN: Get up to $1,000 matched in FanCash.

The FanCash Rewards program gives bettors FanCash when betting on the site. Unlike other loyalty programs, FanCash can be used to purchase gear for your favorite teams on the Fanatics store. That gives players access to high-quality merchandise for teams across all major sports. If you want to update your favorite team jersey, Fanatics Sportsbook can help you do so.

Fanatics does not currently have a sign-up bonus listed for North Carolina, but check back here for updates.

» Read our full Fanatics Sportsbook review to find more info.

Fanatics Sportsbook Ratings

💰Sign-up Offer: Get up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash
🤩 Promo Code: WSNFAN
⭐ WSN Rating: 4.3/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.9/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.7/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 3.2/5 (covers the wider Fanatics brand)

Claim Your Fanatics NC Sportsbook Bonus

Full List of Legal Sportsbooks in North Carolina

Following the exit of Underdog Sportsbook in late 2025, there are currently seven fully licensed and active online sports betting platforms operating in the state:

• bet365

• BetMGM

• Caesars Sportsbook

• DraftKings

• Fanatics Sportsbook

• FanDuel

• theScore Bet

North Carolina Online Sports Betting Sites

North Carolina Retail Sportsbooks

Currently, there are three active retail sportsbooks physically operating in North Carolina. While the state's sports betting law allows for retail sportsbooks to open at professional sports venues, commercial spaces like FanDuel's potential location at Bank of America Stadium have not yet launched.

Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?

Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina at any of the three in-person retail sportsbooks located in the state as well as eight online sportsbooks that launched on March 11, 2024.

Online gambling has been a long time coming. The bill that legalized retail sports betting, SB 154, was passed back in 2019, but it wasn’t until March 2021 that the first legal sports bets were placed in the state. Separate legislation was required to legalize online betting, which was finally signed into law on June 14, 2023. 

The new law stipulated that the online betting industry must launch in 2024 before June 14, which was met with the March launch date.

How to Start Betting

North Carolina doesn’t actually have any active online sportsbooks yet. However, the sign-up process for all the top US sportsbooks is more or less the same regardless of which state you are playing in. Here’s our easy step-by-step guide for beginners:

1. Choose a licensed sportsbook. There are plenty of offshore, unlicensed sites out there that will let you sign up from any state, including North Carolina. However, we strongly recommend waiting for the safe sites when they launch in 2024. Offshore sites are risky and you have no real protection if they decide not to pay your winnings. 

2. Sign up. All sportsbooks require pretty much the same information to create an account, including your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and SSN. The whole process will only take a couple of minutes max.

3. Verify your identity. Depending on the info you provide, you may need to include some extra documentation to verify your identity. North Carolina sportsbooks are going to be legally required to confirm the age and identity of everyone who bets on the sites, and this step is part of that process. 

4. Get your welcome bonus. Pretty much all sportsbooks have welcome offers for new players to encourage them to sign up, which we discuss in detail below. You may need to type in a promo code during registration to unlock your offer or just make a qualifying deposit. Explore our site to find the latest sportsbook promo codes and bonuses for the top online sportsbooks. We’ll cover the best offers in detail on this page when online sports betting launches.

5. Deposit some money. Modern US sportsbooks provide a range of betting payment methods to top up your account, including bank cards, bank transfers, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and more. Choose your preferred method and follow the instructions to get money into your account. 

6. Place your bets. Browse the different sports and betting markets and add your selections to the virtual betslip. You can add multiple bets to build a parlay, too. After you’ve locked in your bet, the winnings will appear in your account more or less immediately after the outcome is decided. 

North Carolina Sportsbook Promos

Sports betting bonuses are the sportsbook’s biggest tool for attracting new customers, and they are a big part of getting people to sign up and start betting in the Tar Heel State. In this section, we’re covering the most popular sign-up promos we expect to see in North Carolina. 

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets are like vouchers you can use to place a bet. Sportsbooks usually hand them out to new players in exchange for signing up and making a qualifying deposit. If your bonus bet wins, you only get to keep the profits. There are often other conditions, too, like using the bonus only at certain odds and potentially having to complete wagering requirements on your winnings. 

Second Chance Bet

Another frequently offered welcome bonus is the Second Chance Bet, where sportsbooks refund your initial bet if it loses up to a specified value. The refund comes in the form of site credit or bonus bets, not regular cash, which you can withdraw right away. Second Chance Bets are particularly beneficial when signing up for a sportsbook, especially if you're placing a sizable bet.

Deposit Match Bonus

In this case, the sportsbook will match some or all of your first deposit in bonus bets or site credit. The more you decide to deposit up front, the more valuable the bonus you stand to receive, although there is always a cap on the total amount you can get. This type of bonus tends to be more valuable for more experienced bettors, who are comfortable making bigger deposits as soon as they sign up.

No Deposit Bonus

These are any kind of bonus or promotion that the sportsbook gives you in exchange for signing up, with no need to deposit any money first. They're perfect for trying out a new site without the concern of losing money, and they cater well to those who prefer lower stakes and casual betting. Usually, the amount is pretty small, like a $10 or $20 bonus bet. 

What Mobile Sportsbooks Are Available in North Carolina?

There are currently seven legal mobile sportsbooks actively operating across North Carolina. The approved platforms available to bettors in the state include bet365, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and theScore Bet.

What Can’t You Bet On in North Carolina?

While North Carolina allows wagering on professional, collegiate, and e-sports, state law strictly prohibits betting on several specific events and occurrences.

The following types of wagers are not allowed in North Carolina:

• Entertainment or Award Shows: You cannot bet on non-sporting events like the Oscars, Grammys, or Emmys.

• Political Contests: Wagering on local, state, or national elections and political outcomes is strictly prohibited.

• High School and Youth Sports: No bets can be placed on any high school or youth sporting events.

• Negative Game Occurrences: You cannot bet on whether a player will get injured, receive a penalty, face disciplinary proceedings, or trigger a replay review during a game.

Betting on College Sports in North Carolina

Betting on college sports is completely legal in North Carolina. Moreover, unlike many other states, you can bet on in-state college teams, and the state currently has no restrictions against placing individual player prop bets on collegiate athletes. College sports are extremely popular in the Tar Heel State, and you can check out some of the prominent NCAA Division I athletic programs that you can bet on below:

• Campbell Fighting Camels

• Charlotte 49ers

• Duke Blue Devils

• Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

• NC State Wolfpack

• North Carolina Tar Heels

• Wake Forest Demon Deacons

• Western Carolina Catamounts

North Carolina Sports Betting Facts

How Does North Carolina Online Sports Betting Compare to Other States?

Since officially launching mobile sports betting in March 2024, North Carolina has quickly established itself as a powerhouse market. The state of Michigan remains a useful reference point for comparison, as it has a near-identical population of just over 10 million people and a similar footprint of major league franchises.

While North Carolina laws allow for up to 12 online sportsbooks (with seven currently active), the sports betting market in Michigan currently operates 12 active online sports betting sites. Both states are notable in that they are two of the comparatively few jurisdictions that allow unrestricted betting on in-state college teams. Financially, North Carolina has significantly outperformed initial expectations; in 2025, North Carolina sportsbooks handled over $7 billion in total wagers, outpacing Michigan's $5.4 billion sports betting handle for that same year.

North Carolina Sports Betting Updates

Check out the timeline of the major developments in the NC sports betting market below:

• Jul. 4, 2025 - North Carolina sportsbooks generated $10 million in revenue in Jun. 2025, a 44% year-over-year increase, driven by major sporting events and steady monthly growth led by DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars.

• May 20, 2024 - North Carolina lawmakers are at odds over the state's sports betting tax rate, with the House proposing no change at 18% while the Senate seeks to double it to 36%, potentially making the state’s tax rate one of the highest in the U.S.

• May 14, 2025 - The proposal to double the betting tax rate is seeing some push from operators wo warn that the increase could lead to worse odds and fewer promotions for bettors.

• Apr. 16, 2025 - North Carolina lawmakers advance a proposal to double the sports betting tax rate to 36%, redirecting the increased revenue to the state’s two largest public universities, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State, with an expected $133 million in additional revenue over the next two years.

• Apr. 9, 2025 - North Carolina lawmakers introduce House Bill 828, aiming to ban prop bets on college and Olympic sports due to rising concerns over harassment directed at student-athletes, joining other states in regulating such bets to protect athletes' safety and integrity.

• Apr. 9, 2025 - In March, North Carolina's sports betting market reached a record handle of $685 million, reflecting a 3.9% increase from the previous year, though revenue dropped significantly by 42.7% compared to March 2023 due to high player payouts and voided bets.

• Mar. 31, 2025 - North Carolina lawmakers are proposing paying high school coaches using sports betting tax money.

• Mar. 11, 2025 - In February 2025, North Carolina's sports betting handle decreased by 16% from January to $543.4 million, marking the fifth-lowest monthly total since the market's launch in March 2024, with gross revenue reaching $55.7 million, a 25% decline from the previous month.

• Feb. 11, 2025 - The North Carolina State Lottery Commission announces that the state's sports betting revenue doubled in January 2025 compared to December 2024, indicating a significant increase in betting activity.

• Jan. 26, 2025 - An opinion piece highlights concerns about the rapid growth of sports betting in North Carolina, noting that while the state is on track for over $6 billion in annual betting, the public benefit remains minimal, with net proceeds to the public good at just 1.8% for the latter half of 2024.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in North Carolina?

Yes, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal and fully operational in North Carolina. While the state has not passed specific legislation explicitly regulating or prohibiting DFS, the contests are permitted to operate under the legal classification of games of skill rather than chance.

Have a look at our list of the best DFS apps available on the market today.

Sports Teams in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to more than ten million people and some popular teams across different US major league sports. College sports are also very popular, and the state is home to the golf resort of Pinehurst, which has hosted major championships and the Ryder Cup. Some of the most popular teams are below:

• Charlotte Hornets (NBA): Formerly known as the Charlotte Bobcats, the Hornets were originally founded in 1988. They were previously majority-owned by Michael Jordan until he sold his controlling stake in 2023.

• Carolina Panthers (NFL): The Panthers are the youngest team in the NFC, having played their first season in 1995. They were the NFC Championship winner twice, in 2003 and 2015, and have claimed multiple NFC South division titles.

• Carolina Hurricanes (NHL): The Hurricanes were originally formed as the New England Whalers in 1972 before moving to North Carolina and rebranding in 1997. They won their sole Stanley Cup in 2006.

• Charlotte FC (MLS): Charlotte FC is an expansion team in Major League Soccer that played its inaugural season in 2022.

North Carolina Sportsbook Partnerships

To legally operate in North Carolina, online sportsbooks are required by state law to secure a market access agreement with a professional sports team, venue, or tribal commission. Because of this requirement, the state features a robust network of major active partnerships rather than just one:

• bet365: Charlotte Hornets

• BetMGM: Charlotte Motor Speedway

• Caesars Sportsbook: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

• DraftKings: NASCAR

• ESPN BET: Quail Hollow Club (Operated by PENN Entertainment)

• Fanatics Sportsbook: Carolina Hurricanes

• FanDuel: Carolina Panthers and the PGA Tour

• Underdog Sports: McConnell Golf (Sedgefield Country Club)

How We Rated the Top North Carolina Sports Betting Sites

There is one guiding principle that underpins all of our reviews: we actually sign up and use the sportsbooks we rate, as a part of our BetEdge rating process. We’re not going off press releases or other reviews. Instead, all the information that goes into our reviews comes from first-hand experience, data, and opinions gathered by our team of experts who sign up and bet. We ask our team to spend two hours researching each of the following six factors before they begin to write their reviews:

1. User Experience - We take our time and explore every site we review to develop a deep understanding of how it feels to use the platform. How easy is it to actually place a bet? How well laid out are the betting markets? How does the software look aesthetically? Every site has a different feel, and that’s what we want to capture for our readers.

2. Features - Basically, we make sure to spend time with every individual service and feature a site offers beyond just placing regular bets. That goes for things like betting guides and picking services, live streaming content in the in-play section, DFS or other games, and more. 

3. Promotions - Whatever promotions are available when we conduct our reviews, our team opts into them to determine how valuable they are. We go deep on terms and conditions like time limits and wagering requirements, so there are no surprises for our readers. We pay special attention to the welcome bonus and compare it to the other equivalent offers out there. 

4. Deposits and Withdrawals - For every single payment method, we follow the deposit and withdrawal process from start to finish. This process can take weeks in some cases, but we don’t skip any steps. As well as the overall ease of the process, we look at fees, processing times, deposits, and withdrawal limits. 

5. Customer Support - We use the same set of pre-selected questions to get in touch with the support team so we can easily see how the site compares to other top sportsbooks. We like to see 24/7 live chat support, and we also do a deep dive into the articles or FAQs in the Help Section. If there is a phone number available, we will call. 

6. Responsible Gambling - We evaluate what practical steps the sportsbook is taking to promote responsible gambling. We want to see links to external support services displayed prominently on the site, not hidden away at the bottom of the page. We also look for in-house tools to help you manage your gambling, like customizable limits and self-exclusion services. 

Why You Should Trust Us

If we had to choose just one word to sum up our credentials, it would be experience. The team here at WSN is made up of massive sports and betting fans who have been gambling in one form or another for decades. 

We are genuinely excited when a new sportsbook arrives on the scene, or a new state legalizes sports betting. Even if we weren’t professionally involved in the industry, we would be doing pretty much the same thing. Our years of experience and interest go into every page that we write so that we can call it as we see it - the good and the bad - for our readers’ benefit. 

Getting Help: Responsible Gambling in North Carolina

There are still some i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed on the structure of the new online sports betting industry in North Carolina, but we already know that promoting responsible gambling practices and protecting bettors are part of the NCSLC’s mandate:

1. You can head to the Responsible Gambling section of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission website for practical information and advice. They also provide free and confidential 24 hour support on 877-718-5543, or you can text “morethanagamenc" to 53342 for text support. 

2. There is also a North Carolina voluntary self-exclusion programme available, which you can also access via the Commission’s website. 

3. Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling are two nationwide support services that are always available for bettors in North Carolina and further afield.

More resources can be found in our Responsible Gambling Center.