North Carolina Online Casino 2024 | Best Legal NC Casinos 🇺🇸

Are you curious about North Carolina online casino sites for real money? You’re not alone! So join the flock of all the other residents and visitors who have wondered if playing online is possible in the state.

We’ll reveal what options are available to you. Having said that, we need to know where the law stands regarding online casino gaming in NC.

We’ll start with the current legal landscape for online gambling, then suggest the best platforms and other useful details. Let’s discover together our top North Carolina online casinos for 2024!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Learn about North Carolina’s best sweepstakes casinos for free gaming.
Review a chronological timeline of North Carolina’s rich gambling history.
Discover the current position of NC’s lawmakers on the future of real money online casinos.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina?

If you’re an NC resident, you can’t play at real money online casinos. According to the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, such sites are not legal. Recently, at the start of 2024, the state approved online sports betting but made no provision for casinos.

So, what are your options as a real money online casino North Carolina player? We recommend checking out our guide on what US states are legal for online casinos. You’ll discover locations where you can safely enjoy your favorite games.

Fact: The North Carolina State Lottery Commission only regulates sports betting and horse racing.

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in North Carolina

Is online casino legal in North Carolina? The answer is no, as we’ve explained. However, that applies to conventional sites where you play with actual money. There are also sweepstakes casinos where you can play for free with virtual coins and redeem real cash prizes when you win. They’re 100% legal!

Check out our page on the best US sweepstakes casinos to discover all the options available. If we narrow the scope to NC, here are our top 5 below.

Hello Millions in North Carolina

This sweepstakes casino offers a library of 700 top games. Regardless of your preferences, you’ll find something to love from slot and jackpot titles, each from a reputable provider. What’s more? Sign up to receive 15,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins without an initial purchase.

The comic-book-style design of Hello Millions makes it stand out. It’s an ideal North Carolina online casino if you enjoy classic and retro gaming themes.

→ While testing the platform, I enjoyed playing the Jhana of God slot by Evoplay, thanks to the Golden Buddha symbol that unlocks a bonus round.

High 5 Casino in North Carolina

As a brand of the provider High 5 Games, High 5 Casino offers an incredible collection of 1,200+ online slots. That’s not all, as the lobby also includes social live dealer games — blackjack, roulette, and poker.

As a new player, you’ll get 250 GCs, 5 SCs, and 600 Diamonds from the welcome package. Notably, the platform has an app you can install on Android or iOS to play on the go.

→ I signed up on the High 5 Casino website, explored the game collection, and fell in love with Big Bass Mission Fishin’ by Pragmatic Play. The Stack the Cash feature reeled me in as it doubled all my coin wins whenever active.

McLuck in North Carolina

Although still relatively new, McLuck has captured the interest of NC online casino fans. The platform offers 7,000 GCs and 2.5 SCs as a signup bonus when you create your account. You won’t need an initial purchase or casino promo code to activate the reward.

McLuck features a highly intuitive mobile site interface. At the same time, the platform boasts a dedicated app for Android and iOS devices. With the app or site, you get 700+ games.

→ My favorite title at the sweepstakes casino is Rise of Pyramids by Pragmatic Play. Could you imagine a futuristic rendition of Ancient Egypt? That’s what you get from the slot.

Pulsz in North Carolina

It’s difficult not to rank Pulsz among the leading sweepstakes casinos in the United States. The platform is premium, with 700+ slot, table, jackpot, and arcade categories.

As a new player, 5,000 GCs and 2 SCs are all yours for free. With the 4-day daily login bonus, you can get an additional 11,000 GCs and 1.2 SCs. You can always go for Pulsz if you want a casino app for gaming in North Carolina.

→ I joined Pulsz and claimed the welcome bonus. With the free coins, I had fun with Money Train 3 by Relax Gaming. Already, I’m a fan of the original Money Train and Money Train 2 slots.

Stake.us in North Carolina

Stake.us has one of the most rewarding online casino promos North Carolina players can claim. How so? If you join the platform, you will receive 260,000 GC and 55 SC.

That’s far more than other alternatives offer. Stake.us also impressed with its unique library of 700+ games, including in-house Stake Originals. While the platform has yet to launch an app, its mobile site runs smoothly.

→ I confirmed this first-hand while playing Tome of Life, an in-house Stake Original slot. The game’s minimalist yet detailed design is unprecedented.

Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casino in North Carolina

We’re sure you’ll have a blast at our five best North Carolina online casino sites for sweepstakes gaming. You can even redeem real prizes when you win with SCs. That said, playing games on the internet and in person are different.

If you’re after the latter, here are the top three land-based casinos in NC where you can bet real money.

Harrah’s in Cherokee

Managed by Caesars Entertainment, Harrah’s Casino is arguably NC’s most popular land-based gambling location. The casino is large, to say the least, covering 150,000 sq ft with 3,000+ slots and 160+ table games.

It’s nonstop action if you visit Harrah’s since the doors are open round-the-clock. The quality of the casino house is captured in this user review:

Went for the casino. This place is huge with many options for whatever kind of gambling you’re up for.
Richie Evener, from Google Review

Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States
Phone Number: (828) 497-7777
Website: caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee
Opening Hours: 24/7
Review on Google: 4.3/5

Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain

Known as Two Kings Casino for short, this location sure delivers a royal treat. It may not be the biggest, but you get no less than 1,000 gaming machines when you visit. Interestingly, the table games at this casino are electronic.

Catawba Two Kings Casino also boasts friendly staff and good food and drink options. Check out the words from this satisfied player to see how the casino performs:

This is my new favorite casino. Terrific choices in slot machines, whether you like old school 3 reels or new age lock and links.
Bob Suchy, from Google Review

Address: 538 Kings Mountain Blvd. Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Phone Number: (704) 750-7777
Website: twokingscasino.com
Opening Hours: 24/7
Review on Google: 4.0/5

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy

This is another land-based casino managed by Caesars Entertainment. If you visit Harrah’s in Murphy, you still get extensive options similar to the casino in Cherokee. The floor is up to 75,000 sq ft with 1,300+ slots and 60+ table games.

Besides the games, Harrah’s Cherokee in Murphy offers a clean and non-smoking gaming environment. It’s no surprise it gets praise like this one from NC players:

We had a really great time. Even the dealers at the table games were very helpful. It is a very clean and very nicely laid out place. We will go back soon.
Jay Money, from Google Review

Address: 777 Casino Parkway, Murphy, NC 28906
Phone Number: (828) 422-7777
Website: caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee-valley-river
Opening Hours: 24/7
Review on Google: 4.2/5

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in North Carolina?

Like many other US states, gambling winnings are subject to taxation in North Carolina. By default, the casino operator will retain 24% of your winnings as withholding tax for the IRS, up to a certain threshold. Moreover, the state’s income tax rate is 5.25%.

Specifically, you’ll get a W-2G form from the casino if your gambling winnings reach $1,200 at slot machines. Ensure you complete and return it, as the operator also sends a copy of the form to the IRS.

For table games like blackjack, casinos are not required to issue a W-2G form. You’ll have to file an individual income tax report, which you can do electronically via the North Carolina Department of Revenue’s official website. So, it’s essential to keep your records of winnings.

Other Legal Gambling Activities in North Carolina

You can legally play games at North Carolina online casino sites or visit land-based gambling locations. But what other gambling options are allowed? Check them out below:

Sports betting and horse racing wagering: North Carolina legalized online sports betting and horse racing wagering at licensed sportsbooks in 2024. Approved land-based casinos also offer in-person sports betting.
Bingo and Raffle games: You can play bingo and raffle games by nonprofit and charitable organizations. However, the organizers must be licensed by the state.
State lottery: In North Carolina, you can legally participate in state lotteries, which are conducted to raise funds for education.

Fact: NC legalized sports betting following Session Law 2023-42 (H347) passed by the General Assembly.

History of Gambling in North Carolina

As an online casino North Carolina player, it may surprise you that the state has one of the richest gambling histories in the US. Here’s a rundown of all the important dates and events to note:

1749: The General Assembly adopted an English statute that discouraged excessive gambling by invalidating gambling debts above £100.
1753: A law forbidding gambling in public was passed.
1784: The anti-gambling law was repealed to raise revenue for the government.
1791: Gaming tables, including “A.B.C. and E.O. tables,” were banned entirely.
1809-1835: The legislature approved 62 lotteries to raise money for various causes.
1835: The legislature banned lotteries following a nationwide movement against the games.
1994: The Cherokee tribe reached a compact with Governor Jim Hunt, allowing the construction of a casino with electronic games.
1997: The $82-million permanent casino, managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, opened.
2001: An amendment to the compact raised the legal gambling age from 18 to 21.
2012: Harrah’s Cherokee began offering table games after negotiating a new compact with Governor Beverly Perdue.
2015: The tribe opened a second casino, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, in Murphy.
2013: The Catawba tribe applied to take land into trust for their proposed casino.
2021: The Catawba opened their casino, Catawba Two Kings Casino, in a temporary facility in Kings Mountain.
2006: The North Carolina Education Lottery was established, offering scratch-off and drawing games.
2018: The federal ban on sports betting was overturned.
2019: North Carolina passed a law allowing tribal gaming compacts to be modified to authorize retail sportsbooks at casinos.
2021: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Catawba Indian Nation opened sportsbooks at their casinos.
2023: North Carolina passed a law expanding locations where sportsbooks can be opened.
2024: The state legalized online sports betting.

What’s Next for North Carolina Online Casinos?

Since North Carolina has joined the list of locations where online sports betting is legal, there’s optimism about the future of real money casinos in the state. However, there’s no hope that things will change soon.

North Carolina lawmakers had somewhat of a ruffle following a session to expand casino gambling options in the state. Speaking to CBS on the matter, House Speaker Tim More said:

I do think that the conversation last year, as it related to casinos, has put a shadow over the discussion about updates to the lottery with VLTs and so forth.

Consequently, the situation at hand is that the disagreements may forestall further legalizing gambling in Tar Heel State.

So, Will You Bet From North Carolina Tonight?

North Carolina online casino sites for real money may not be available, but you’re not short of options to enjoy your favorite games in the state. Ensure you follow our legit recommendations so you can play safely and legally.

If you need more insights on gambling in the United States, take a look at our reliable online casino reviews in the USA, with have many expert insights you’ll find helpful.