Online sports betting goes live in North Carolina just in time for college basketball’s March Madness.
When does online sports betting begin?
Online sports betting begins Monday, March 11th at noon.
When did sports betting become legal?
HB-347, which authorizes and regulates wagering on professional, college and amateur sports and on horse racing in the state passed the North Carolina legislature in summer 2023. Governor Roy Cooper signed the measure into law in late June.
How old do I need to be to participate?
To place a wager, a person must be at least 21 years of age. Licensed sports operators are responsible for ensuring the identity and age of any person trying to place a wager, according to the NC State Lottery Commission.
Which sports have betting options with the current operators?
- College Sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Hockey
- NASCAR
- E-Sports
How does betting happen?
To place a bet, a player creates an account on one of the websites of the licensed operators and deposits funds into the account. Wagers are made through the mobile app.
Which operators are authorized?
As of Monday, March 11th, there are eight operators authorized in North Carolina:
- bet365 NC: Charlotte Hornets
- BetMGM NC: Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Caesars Sportsbook: Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Cherokee
- DraftKings NC: NASCAR
- Fanatics Betting and Gaming: Carolina Hurricanes
- FanDuel NC: PGA Tour
- PENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET NC): Quail Hollow Club (PGA Tour course)
- Underdog Sports: McConnell Golf
Where does the money go?
Taxes from the operators will fund several different programs including Department of Health and Human Services programs for gambling addiction education and treatment. Funds will also go to the North Carolina Amateur Sports, 13 public universities, major sporting events and festivals, the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council and the state’s General Fund.
Is there assistance for someone who wants to gamble less or quit gambling?
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program offers free confidential help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can talk, text or chat with a trained, licensed clinician who provides free counseling services.
- Talk: 877-718-5543
- Text: "morethanagamenc" to 53342
- Chat: morethanagame.nc.gov
Individuals may also enroll in a voluntary exclusion program for a set period of time. North Carolina wagering operators use information a person provides during enrollment to freeze his/her existing wagering account(s) and block him/her from creating new accounts in North Carolina.
