Gambling Laws in North Carolina

Gambling laws in North Carolina are fairly constrained due to the state's so-called bible belt culture. The industry has opened up in recent years though, particularly when it comes to sports betting, both offline and online.

What Type of Gambling Is Legal in North Carolina?

Gambling laws are outlined in the North Carolina Revised Statutes, Article 37: Lotteries, Gaming, Bingo and Raffles. While many types are legal, most online gambling activities are unregulated and deemed illegal by default, with one or two notable exceptions. 

The Tribal Gaming Commission for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians regulates the two Cherokee casinos, while the Tribal Gaming Commission for the Catawba Indian Nation regulates the Catawba casino. The North Carolina Lottery Commission regulates sports betting in the state.

Playing Casino Games

Casino gambling is legal in North Carolina, with the state home to 3 tribal casinos. The Cherokee tribe, in conjunction with Harrah's, operates two venues in the Great Smoky Mountains. While the Catawba tribe runs one casino at a temporary location in Kings Mountain. State residents can visit the venues to play slots and table games.

Online gambling sites are considered illegal. State legislation doesn't specifically mention this though, and there doesn't appear to be any appetite for authorities to prosecute individual players.

Gambling on Poker

It's legal to gamble on poker, but only 1 of the three tribal casinos has the facilities to run games. Harrah's Cherokee Hotel and Casino hosts a 20-table poker room. Video poker machines used to be common across the state, but were outlawed in 2007.

Online poker is illegal in North Carolina due to the state's definition of gambling. Courts have deemed poker to be predominantly a game of chance, meaning existing laws are still applicable. Certain USA online casinos still accept players from North Carolina though, with authorities not particularly interested in pursuing prosecutions.

Charity Bingo Games

Residents can gamble on bingo but only on games run by charitable organisations. Even then, there are strict rules regarding the frequency and payouts. With recognised charities allowed to run games no more than twice per week and prizes are not allowed to exceed $500. Online bingo gambling isn't mentioned specifically in the North Carolina laws but is deemed illegal due to the state's definition of gambling.

Lottery Tickets and Scratch Cards

Taking part in the lotto is legal and the North Carolina Education Lottery was launched in 2006. Residents can buy tickets for popular draw-based games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. As well as playing keno and purchasing scratch cards.

Although the state lotto has a website, the online sale of tickets or other games is not permitted. So if residents want to play online lottery games for real money they will need to take the risk at an out-of-state site.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Home-based card games, like poker for example are illegal in the state. Modern forms of gambling such as lootboxes and skins, haven't been legislated specifically, leaving these activities unregulated. Social sites that allow people to enjoy online casino slots and other games with play chips are permitted.

North Carolina has recently been somewhat resistant to virtual currencies, with the state banning Bitcoin mining for a year and proposing a bill to prevent crypto payments. None of the established gambling venues in the state currently accept cryptocurrencies either. Those looking to play casino games using Bitcoin or altcoins at online crypto gambling sites will have to take their chances with offshore platforms.

North Carolina Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting was initially legalised in 2019, but only tribal casinos were allowed to offer the activity. In June 2023 it was legalised in other locations, along with online sports betting. There are currently eight sportsbooks operating in various locations and the law also allows for the operation of 12 online sports betting sites within state borders.

Daily fantasy sports betting, such as that offered by FanDuel and DraftKings, is still unregulated in North Carolina. However, attempts have been made to legalise this but have so far not come to fruition.

Gambling Age Restrictions

The legal minimum age to gamble in North Carolina is 18 for lottery, bingo and raffles, but you must be at least 21 years of age to play casino games or bet on sports.

Taxes on Gambling Winnings in North Carolina

The regulations require operators to pay a 14% tax on gross revenue. Individual players must pay taxes on their gambling winnings, with a 5.25% tax charged at the state level and a 24% withholding tax applied to winnings over $5,000 at the federal level.

History of Gambling Laws

These date back to 1749 when gambling debts greater than £100 (based on English law) were written off to prevent excessive gambling. Gambling was then banned entirely in 1791 except for lotteries, which were allowed to run until backlash resulted in an outright ban in 1835.

Charitable bingo was legalised in 1945, whilst tribal casinos began operating in the state in 1994. Lottery gambling was then legalised again in 2005, with the North Carolina Education Lottery launched in 2006.

Sports betting at tribal casinos was permitted in 2019, with statewide and online sports betting legislated in 2023.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal and available at three tribal casinos in the state.

• Gambling at online casinos is illegal.

• Poker gambling is legal, but only one tribal casino has dedicated tables.

• Online poker gambling is not permitted.

• Bingo gambling is legal, but charitable organisations can only offer games under strict conditions.

• Online bingo gambling is unregulated.

• Lottery gambling is legal via the North Carolina Education Lottery.

• Online lottery gambling is illegal.

• Both offline and online sports betting are legal in North Carolina.