Best Online Casinos in USA for May 2025
While North Carolina did legalize online sports betting in 2024, legal and regulated online casino gambling remains against the law in the Tar Heel State. However, online casino options still exist for North Carolinians to play in the form of sweepstakes casinos.
Players can gamble for fun and entertainment with Gold Coins (GC) or play with Sweepstakes Coins (SC) and earn points that can be exchanged for prizes such as gift cards, merchandise, and even cash. Sweepstakes casinos are an excellent alternative for players in North Carolina to play slots, table games, and even live dealer games without risking their own money.
Our Top Five Recommended North Carolina Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are a very popular option in the US online casino landscape, and these sites are the only option for playing online casino games in North Carolina. Let’s look at some of our most recommended sweepstakes casino options to play.
What Other Online Casinos Will Open in North Carolina in the Future?
Fifteen online operator licenses were awarded to the three commercial casinos and 12 tribes, all currently full in North Carolina. That means no new operators can launch in the state at this stage, although legislation can soon change to allow additional licenses.
Play 17,000+ Free Casino Games
Top Legal Games to Play at North Carolina Casinos
The gambling landscape in North Carolina changed dramatically in March 2024 when online sports betting was legalized. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper officially launched legal and regulated sports betting in the state by placing a wager on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in North Carolina
When playing sweepstakes casino games in North Carolina, you’ll be delighted to discover just how deep the game libraries are at many of the top sweepstakes casino sites in the Tar Heel State. The numbers rival any real money casino operating in the US legal and regulated market. You’ll find several of the same titles available to play.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Instant Tap
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Spinmatic
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
Casino Web Scripts
How to Win Real Money on Casino Games in North Carolina
The RTP percentage is a hypothetical indication of how much money wagered on a casino game will be returned to the people playing the game. However, it’s important to remember that an RTP of 95.6% doesn’t mean you’ll be getting back 95.6 cents on every dollar you play.
North Carolina Online Gambling Overview
North Carolina Gambling Law
There are very few legal regulated gambling operations in North Carolina. Online sports betting went live in 2024, making North Carolina the 38th US state to approve legal and regulated sports betting.
Commercial casinos and poker rooms, both land-based and online, are prohibited in North Carolina. Three land-based tribal casinos are operating in the state. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is also banned in the state.
How to Play With North Carolina Casinos
Playing online slots and other casino games at sweepstakes casinos is legal in North Carolina. You can play with GC simply for fun or upgrade to SC, which can be exchanged for prizes like gift cards and, in some cases, cash.
It’s easy to sign up with one of these online sweepstakes casinos through the following steps:
- Follow the links on this page to visit a sweepstakes casino.
- Sign up by providing your personal information, like your email and name. Create a password for your new account.
- Verify your email and other parts of your account.
- Once verification is confirmed, the site’s no-deposit bonus will appear in your account, and you’ll be ready to play.
Accepted North Carolina Online Casino Banking Methods
You can play at North Carolina online sweepstakes casinos without spending any money. However, should you choose to do so, the sweepstakes casino site will make packages of GC available for purchase. They will generally include free SC with the packages as a bonus offer. Under sweepstakes casino laws, they must give SC away, meaning it’s impossible to purchase SC.
You can purchase these coins with bank cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. The same methods can also be utilized when redeeming SC for cash prizes.
| Payment Method | Deposits/Purchases? | Withdrawals/Redemptions? |
|---|---|---|
Visa
| Yes | Yes |
Mastercard
| Yes | Yes |
PayPal
| Yes | Yes |
Neteller
| Yes | No |
Skrill
| Yes | Yes |
Bank Transfer
| Yes | Yes |
Paysafecard
| Yes | No |
E-check
| Yes | No |
American Express
| Yes | Yes |
Trustly
| Yes | No |
Apple Pay
| Yes | No |
Google Pay
| Yes | No |
Who Can Play at North Carolina Online Casinos?
You’ll need to be at least 21 to legally play online casino games at a sweepstakes casino in North Carolina. While it isn’t necessary to be a resident of North Carolina, you must be physically within state lines to access an online sweepstakes casino account. This step is regulated via geolocation software.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for North Carolina Casinos?
You will need to provide documentation to any North Carolina online sweepstakes casino to verify that you are 21 years of age, the legal age of majority to play in a sweepstakes casino in the Tar Heel State. This can be a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
While you don’t have to live in North Carolina to play at an online sweepstakes casino, you must be in North Carolina.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Lottery Commission (NCLC) oversees all gambling in the state. In addition to licensing and regulating the industry, the Commission also ensures fair play and protects player interests by ensuring responsible gambling resources are available to all players.
North Carolina Casino Apps for Players
Some of the sweepstakes casinos operating in North Carolina offer mobile apps. These apps can be downloaded to your mobile device, enabling you to play the site’s sweepstakes casino games anywhere you are during the day.
North Carolina Casino Apps for Android
North Carolina Casino Apps for iOS
History of Online Gambling Laws in North Carolina
Almost all gambling was prohibited in North Carolina for nearly 200 years after it was banned in 1753. Bingo was the first game of chance to be legalized in the state, and even today, though there’s been progress on some fronts, with the lottery, tribal casinos, and online sports betting, gambling options are very limited in NC.
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in North Carolina
1753
Public gambling is banned in the state.
1945
The first charitable bingo games started operations.
1997
First tribal casino opens in North Carolina.
2006
The North Carolina State Lottery is launched.
2007
Video poker is banned in the state.
2012
Tribal casinos are approved to add table games.
2017
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) began operating in North Carolina.
2021
Land-based sports betting launches at North Carolina tribal casinos.
2024
Legal and regulated sports betting launches in North Carolina.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in North Carolina: What’s the Difference?
You may have seen ads for what are known as offshore real money casinos that offer access to North Carolina players. These sites are not legal or regulated in the state and are considered illegal operations under US federal law. While there’s no record of a person being charged for gambling at an offshore online casino, to do so is a dangerous pursuit.
Since these sites are not regulated in the state, there’s no recourse should something happen. Also, there’s no guarantee that these sites take any precautions to protect your personal information or the money in your account. Likewise, if the site shuts down suddenly, there’s no regulatory body to assure you’d get your money back.
Land-based Casinos in North Carolina
While commercial land-based casinos remain illegal in North Carolina, a trio of tribal casinos operate in the state. These three tribal casinos are situated in the state’s western section.
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians of North Carolina opened Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in 1997 and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino in 2015. In 2021, the Catawba Indian Nation opened the Catawba Two Kings Casino.
Although these casinos are all regulated by the US Department of the Interior, each has negotiated a gambling compact with the state government to allow the casinos to operate in North Carolina.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort opened November 13, 1997, on a 56-acre property 50 miles southwest of Asheville at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance. The site has since undergone two renovations.
In 2012, a $650 million upgrade expanded the casino floor and added a third hotel tower, a 3,000-seat events center, and a luxury spa. In 2017, the casino added a fourth hotel tower, a convention center, an entertainment center, and a parking deck.
Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino
Harrah's Valley River Casino & Hotel is located on an 85-acre tract of tribal land in the western North Carolina mountains. It opened on Sept. 28, 2015, and underwent a $275 million expansion in 2022. They added more gaming space, a hotel tower, a spa, a rooftop restaurant, and a parking deck.
Catawba Two Kings Casino
The newest tribal casino in the state, the Catawba Indian Nation, is constructing a casino resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. It’s a small suburban city near the state line with South Carolina, about 33 miles west of Charlotte. It’s currently operating out of a temporary casino. The leading site, offering a 1,500-room hotel, entertainment center, restaurants, and stores, is slated to open early in 2026.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in North Carolina?
Online casinos are not currently legal in North Carolina. Commercial land-based casinos are also against the law. Three land-based tribal casinos are open in the state on Indian land.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in North Carolina?
Yes, you can play online casino games at sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina. You can play with Gold Coins for fun or Sweepstakes Coins, which you can exchange for gift cards and cash sums.
What are the best online casinos in North Carolina?
You’ll find that you can access all the leading online sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina. As long as you are 21, you’ll be welcome to play at sites like Pulsz Casino, RealPrize Casino, and High 5 Casino.
Are North Carolina online casinos safe?
You can rest assured that playing sweepstakes casino games online in North Carolina with any available site is safe and secure. Sweepstakes laws govern all of these sites. Games must be proven to be fair, and responsible gambling resources must be made available.
Can I claim bonuses at North Carolina casinos?
When you open an account with a sweepstakes casino in North Carolina, you will receive a no deposit welcome bonus consisting of GC and SC for use in the casino. There are often casino welcome bonus packages of additional coins you can purchase at a discount rate.
