Sports Gambling In North Carolina
Using the information in this guide, North Carolina residents will be able to find out how to place bets safely and legally on their favorite sports teams. We provide insight into the regulations surrounding legal North Carolina sports gambling, as well as make recommendations for licensed and regulated sportsbooks that are legally sanctioned to provide betting services to customers around the world, including those in NC.
Sports betting has emerged as one of the most popular online entertainment industries and you can read through our guide if you’re interested in finding what all the hype is about.
Is Sports Gambling Legal in North Carolina In 2024?
Where you place your bets determines if the wagering is legal or not. There are no state or federal laws that make it illegal for North Carolina residents to enjoy legitimate online sports betting at long as the destination at which they are placing their bets is operating legally within the industry. The sites recommended in this guide all fall into this category.
Top Rated Sports Betting Sites Open To North Carolina Residents In 2024
In order to be considered for inclusion in this guide, a sportsbook must be reputable, trusted, legally sanctioned, high quality and completely devoted to provide a secure and enjoyable betting experience.
Each of the sports betting sites we recommend are legitimately operating within the industry and hold the appropriate credentials that include legal licensing and compliance certifications. They are subject to strict regulatory oversight and employ advanced security protocols to keep their customers’ data safe and secure.
| SIte Name | Bonus | Rank /5 | USA | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.9 | Yes | Play Now |
| Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.4 | Yes | Play Now |
| Sportsbetting.ag | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.2 | Yes | Play Now |
What Federal Laws Play A Role In North Carolina Sports Betting?
Paspa Law
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, also known as PASPA, deals with the regulation of brick and mortar style betting operations—like a standard bookie or Nevada-style sports betting. There aren’t any legally approved destinations in North Carolina where residents can walk in and place a bet on sports.
PASPA was passed back in 1992 in an effort to thwart the rise of legalized gambling nationwide and has effectively carried out its objective. Some states are pushing anti-PASPA legislation that would give them the right to have legal sports betting, but nothing significant can happen until PASPA is either amended or repealed.
Federal Wire Act Law Of 1961
The Federal Wire Act prohibits all types of US based online sportsbook gambling. The law makes it illegal for anyone to own or operate an online sportsbook within US borders. The law does not make it a crime to place bets online at legally licensed and regulated sportsbooks that are operating outside of the United States and hence, US jurisdiction. In fact, the law does not address actually placing bets at all but rather is focused on preventing illegal gambling operations from emerging.
With the growth of state based online casino and poker gambling, this law actually had a great deal of controversy surrounding it, which prompted the Department of Justice to issue a Formal Opinion in 2011. This formal opinion clarified that the law does indeed apply to US based online sports betting, but not to any other type of online betting, leaving each state to determine for themselves if they are interested in state licensed online casino or poker gambling.
UIGEA Law
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) monitors financial institutions and how they process gambling related transactions. These laws only apply to standard US based betting operations, banks and payment processors and not to bettors themselves. The UIGEA does not make it illegal for US residents to engage in online gambling as long as they do so at a destination that is legally sanctioned.
Will North Carolina Ever Pass Laws To Legalize State Licensed Sports Betting?
Unfortunately, lawmakers in NC do not have the freedom to legalize state licensed sports betting for residents of the Tar Heel State. If PASPA were ever to be repealed, then perhaps North Carolina could decide to permit legalized sports betting in-state if state legislation wanted it, but until then these offshore sportsbooks are the best option for residents.
Popular Sports Teams To Bet On In North Carolina
The Carolina Panthers are the strongest team out of North Carolina. They were just in the Super Bowl a few years back, though they lost out to the Denver Broncos. The Panthers weren’t able to repeat the same success this season, but don’t count Cam Newton and Co. out as they will surely return in the 2017-2018 season in the hunt for a postseason presence.
The Charlotte Hornets are an exciting team in the NBA. They have a young team that is full of energy and drive.
The Hurricanes make up North Carolina’s NHL presence and are a local favorite. North Carolina also hosts a number of successful college programs like Duke, UNC and NC State. North Carolina is a racing state and residents flock to the Charlotte Motor Speedway each year for races. Just like with the NFL or NHL, residents can place bets on who they think will win major stock car races.
NFL Teams in NC
NBA Teams in NC
NHL Teams in NC
Popular College Sports Teams in NC
FAQs About Betting On Sports
Is It Safe For North Carolina Residents To Place Bets At Offshore Sportsbooks?
Yes. These offshore sportsbooks are safe for North Carolina residents to use. We only recommend sportsbooks that have been in the business for at least ten years and have a track record of customer service and professionalism. These sites pride themselves on customer satisfaction and security, so your personal and financial information is kept safe through secure servers.
In addition, these sportsbooks are out of the Federal Wire Act’s jurisdiction and there are no state laws barring residents from betting online through sites as long as they are outside of US borders and subject to regulatory oversight.
Do I Have To Use My Credit Or Debit Card To Deposit Funds Into My Sportsbook Account?
No. While credit/debit card is one of the more popular options—and your information is kept secure—these sportsbooks offer alternative deposit methods. These methods include, but are not limited to, wire transfers via MoneyGram or Western Union, Bitcoin and more. Bitcoin is proven to be the fastest way of depositing/withdrawing money through these sportsbooks.
How Can I Receive My Winnings, Especially In Light Of the UIGEA?
The UIGEA does not bar North Carolina residents from placing bets online, nor does it stop you from receiving money. It only acts as an overseer on financial institutions, not the individual bettor. You are not breaking any laws by engaging in sports betting through one of these sites. Once you’re ready to withdraw, you can select a number of options including check, money transfer, Bitcoin and more. Be sure to check with the sportsbook banking suite to see what options they have.
Are There Any Incentives or Promotions Offered To North Carolina Residents At Online Sportsbooks?
The sportsbooks that we’ve recommended offer what are called bonuses. These bonuses are promotions that give bettors extra funds to bet with. There are lots of bonuses that drop throughout the year, so it’s on the bettor to remain updated with the site in order to track any new bonuses. In most cases, bettors receive a bonus at the time of signing up, giving them extra money to bet with right away.
What About Paying Taxes on Winnings In NC?
In all states, including North Carolina, gambling winnings are considered taxable income. Therefore, they should be reported to the IRS and you should pay the taxes on them accordingly. Failure to do can results in a violation of the law and legal action against you. Most states have a minimum threshold that must be met before gambling winnings are required to be reported. We suggest you verify the reporting requirements with a tax professional to ensure you are following the letter of the law.
Are There Mobile Versions of any Sportsbooks?
Yes. Most online sportsbooks have web based mobile apps that function just as their traditional websites do. These mobile applications are designed and optimized to be compatible across a number of devices and brands. Furthermore, these mobile apps offer the same security and betting standards that the regular sites do.
The offshore sportsbooks that accept NC residents make customer service a priority and these mobile apps are just another effort to make things more convenient for bettors.
Are There Any Sports Teams in North Carolina That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2024?
The Carolina Panthers, albeit having a rough season, are still a strong team. They will be back with a vengeance in the 2017-2018 season and will look to make the playoffs so they can recapture the spark they had last season. The Hornets are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference of the NBA, so as it stands now they will make the playoffs. They have a strong and energetic team, though they have to deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, arguably the best team in the league.
The Carolina Hurricanes are 6th in their division, so they’ll have to start playing better in order to make a postseason push. For college sports, basketball is in full swing and North Carolina is a college basketball state. Duke and UNC are both ACC powerhouses and will be solid bets in the March Madness NCAA Tournament.