Mobile sportsbooks will begin accepting online wagers in North Carolina on Monday, March 11 at 12 p.m. Here’s what to know if you’re hoping to cash in.
How we got here
In-person sports betting has been legal at three tribal casinos in NC since 2019. Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347 on June 14, 2023 to make online sports wagering legal.
The State Lottery Commission is in charge of regulating operations. Up to 11 operators (and two NC tribes) can get a license, but they must partner with a professional sports team or venue. Up to eight professional sporting arenas could also apply to open in-person sportsbooks.
How it works
Bettors can gamble on professional and college sports. Betting on esports, horse racing, and Olympic events will also be permitted. You won’t be able to wager on high school sports, politics, or awards shows.
North Carolinians who are at least 21 years old have been able to set up accounts and deposit funds since March 1. Bettors must provide their name, address, social security number, and a photo of a government-issued ID to become an account holder. Accepted payment methods like credit card, Paypal, and Venmo will depend on the sportsbook.
Once the clock strikes 12 p.m. on March 11, account holders can begin placing various wagers on the apps through their phone and other devices. So far, there are eight sportsbooks that have gotten licenses to accept wagers in NC. They are:
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- bet365
- DraftKings
- ESPN BET
- Fanatics
- Underdog Sports
- Caesars Sportsbook (partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Banking on a payoff
Licensed sportsbooks will pay an 18% sports wagering tax. The General Assembly crunched the numbers and estimates the state will earn $74.9 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year — and that number will jump to $100.6 million by the 2027-28 fiscal year. The law allocates some of that money to collegiate athletics at some public universities, including UNC-Wilmington and Appalachian State University.
