Gambling is alive and well in North Carolina via land-based tribal services, but the options are limited when it comes to iGaming. Read on to learn about this untapped market and how you can enjoy the same great casino-style games online for free.
Best Online Casinos in North Carolina
North Carolina does not allow real-money online gaming, so you won’t find any casino sites here. However, you can access Sweepstakes Casinos and social casinos that offer free slots and table games. This guide will cover the state’s land-based casinos and show you how to begin playing at online Sweepstakes sites in the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina Online Gaming Options
You have options if you reside in North Carolina and want to play online casino games. You won’t find any real-money sites available, but you can play Sweepstakes online for real money at Sweeps Cash Casinos and social casinos. These sites offer slots and table games just like real-money sites. The only difference is that you play with virtual currency instead of real money.
Sweepstakes sites use Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, or the equivalent, for gaming. Gold Coins have zero monetary value and are only used for fun. Sweeps Coins typically allow you to redeem for certain prizes such as cash or gift cards.
Players also have access to daily fantasy sports sites. Operators like FanDuel and DraftKings are free to provide such services in the state via websites and apps.
Online Sweepstakes Casinos in North Carolina
Players in North Carolina can access social gambling games via Sweepstakes casinos. Below, we will review our best recommendations for quality Sweepstakes casino sites. You must be 18 or older to play and be located in a state that accepts this type of gaming. Most states do, so playing slots or other games hosted by these sites should not be difficult.
Keep in mind the following key points before signing up with NC social casinos:
- You must be 18 to participate.
- You must be located in North Carolina state to access services.
- Any winnings you earn are taxable and must be paid on.
- Games are free to play with virtual currency.
- You can purchase more Gold Coin currency and receive free Sweeps Coins as part of a coin package.
High 5 Casino
Enjoy a quality Sweepstakes casino experience via High 5. The High 5 Games software company operates the site, featuring hundreds of slots along with table games.
Why we like High 5 Casino:
- Games available: Slots and Table Games. New titles are added regularly.
- Bonuses available: Signup bonus, member deals that include various incentives.
- Reputation: High 5 Casino has a solid reputation thus far. Players enjoy the quality content and know that High 5 Games is a quality game provider. We give this brand an 8.5 rating.
Wow Vegas Casino
Wow Vegas is a top pick for Sweepstakes players in North Carolina due to its huge collection of games. The site features a huge assortment of slots, including Megaways and Hold & Win titles.
Why we like Wow Vegas Casino:
- Games available: Slots including Megaways, Hold & Win, classic, and popular titles. Wow adds new games consistently.
- Bonuses available: Explore signup deals, refer-a-friend promotions, daily deals, and more.
- Reputation: So far, Wow Vegas has a good reputation within the Sweepstakes gaming community. We rate Wow at a 9.
Stake.us Casino
Offering services in North Carolina, Stake.us Casino is one that features vastly different gaming than a typical Sweepstakes site. Enjoy live dealer games, dice games, table games, and more here.
Why we like Stake.us Casino:
- Games available: Live dealer, slots, table games, and leaderboard competitions. The brand adds new games all the time.
- Bonuses available: Add a new player bonus upon signing up, plus participate in daily races, challenges, and battles.
- Reputation: Our team has rated Stake.us at 8.5 for its game collection and platform.
McLuck Casino
This online Sweepstakes site is one for players searching for a streamlined game collection. Tons of slots are on offer and provided by software companies like Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming.
Why we like McLuck Casino:
- Games available: Slots. Cascading, Megaways, and Hold & Win are included.
- Bonuses available: Signup Bonus, Daily log-in bonus, package discounts.
- Reputation: McLuck Casino has a slightly lower rating by our experts of 7.5. The site is still a great option for Sweeps gaming.
Pulsz Casino
One of the better-known brands on our list, Pulsz Casino is a solid choice for gamers in North Carolina. Enjoy a list of various slot games with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coin play plus table games.
Why we like Pulsz Casino:
- Games available: Slots, Scratch Cards, and Table Games
- Bonuses available: Signup bonus, social media contests.
- Reputation: We rate Pulsz with an 8.5. Enjoy a long list of top-rated games.
b spot Casino
For a unique experience, choose b spot, where you can play spinners, arcades, and quickie games. The site has a completely different look and feel than its competitors, creating a fun and exciting way to play games.
Why we like b spot Casino:
- Games available: Spinners, Arcades, Quickies, and new games are not added often.
- Bonuses available: Signup bonus
- Reputation: We rate b spot 8.5 for its unique game collection and mode of payouts.
Online Sports Betting in North Carolina
Yes. Sports betting is legalized in the retail format in North Carolina. Players can access two sportsbooks via the Caesars brand, with each location connected to a tribal casino. Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River both offer sports betting. Catawba Two Kings also provides sports betting services.
Legislators are currently considering a bill to legalize online sports betting. The online services are expected to launch in 2024 at the earliest.
Online Poker in North Carolina
Poker is available in North Carolina, but not in the traditional online real-money poker format. In retail format, players have access to poker at the tribal casinos in the state.
Players can access offshore sites like Bovada and Ignition, but locally licensed online sites are not provided. It is important to note that it’s generally not recommended to play at offshore online poker sites due to potential legal and safety concerns. There might be issues with regulation and consumer protection, as these sites generally may not comply with U.S. laws.
However, Global Poker is a Sweepstakes casino site that is available to players in North Carolina. Like other Sweepstakes gaming sites, Global Poker utilizes Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to operate peer-to-peer poker ring games and tournaments. You’ll find great bonuses and fun competition on the site, making it a great destination for online poker.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort offers a World Series of Poker branded room that hosts events and regular cash games. Texas Hold’em tournaments run daily, so there is always something to explore.
Online Lottery in North Carolina
Online lottery games are legal in North Carolina, and players can access several game types, including the Powerball and Mega Millions. The website of the North Carolina lottery games makes it easy for players to purchase a single ticket or multiple titles.
Lottery games are popular at online casinos too, but you won’t find any options in the state. If you want to play real-money lottery games, you must use the official state lottery site. The operator regularly offers special promotions and events to ensure players have plenty of incentives to explore.
Online Keno in North Carolina
If you enjoy lottery games, you will also like keno. Keno is a lottery-type game where you select numbers and wait for a drawing. Make a correct match, and you win a prize. You can play keno via the NC Lottery with games such as Carolina Keno with Multiplier on offer. Social casinos also offer types of keno games from time to time that you can play for free. Check out our recommendations on where you to play if you want to explore an online experience.
Below are a few similarities between the game of keno and lottery games.
| Keno | Lottery |
|---|---|
| Select Numbers to play, usually 1-20 or more. | Select numbers to play based on the game type. |
| Win prizes for number matches. | Win prizes for correct number matches. |
| Tickets are low cost. | Tickets are affordable, and you can purchase more than one at a time. |
North Carolina Free Online Casinos
Another great option for North Carolina gamblers is free social casinos. These sites offer premium casino games that you can play for free. These sites feature traditional and unique online casino games, making it easy for you to find options you will enjoy.
Below are a few of our favorites to get you started. Easily join for free and receive coins you can use to play any game you like.
Rivers Casino4Fun
The Rivers Casino4Fun site is a freeplay option offered by the BetRivers brand. Enjoy the same games you would find at a real-money gaming site at no cost to you. It’s an easy way to play slots, table games, and even live dealer titles.
Why we like Rivers Casino4Fun:
- Games available: Slots, Table Games, Live Dealer, Video Poker, and Bingo; new games are added regularly.
- Bonuses available: No Deposit Bonus, Daily Wheel Spin
- Reputation: We have Rivers Casino4Fun rated at an 8. The BetRivers site has a strong reputation as a top-rated provider.
Fortune Coins
Enjoy a wide range of games from this Sweepstakes casino, with options including slots, table games, and video poker. You can play for free or use FC to redeem for cash prizes.
Why we like Fortune Coins Casino:
- Games available: Slots, table games, and video poker; new games are added occasionally.
- Bonuses available: No deposit bonus, first purchase bonus, daily log-in bonus.
- Reputation: We have rated Fortune Coins an 8 for its quality platform and game collection.
Indian Casinos in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the only physical casinos you can visit are operated by Native American Tribes. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina operates the available venues and offers premium gaming via several establishments.
Visit any of the following casinos to explore the many gaming options that Cherokee Indians have to offer.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Operating in Cherokee, North Carolina, this casino opened in 1997 and is situated on 56 acres. Located near the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the casino is frequented by locals and travelers to the area. The casino features several hotel towers for overnight stays, a luxury spa, an events center, food outlets, and retail shopping.
For gaming, players can access a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor with 3,000 slot games and over 160 table games. Enjoy sports betting options, too, at the brand’s on-site sportsbook.
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
The Cherokee opened this casino in 2015 in the Murphy area, which is located in the western portion of the state. This facility is quite large, offering hotel stays, restaurant dining, space, and a large gaming space. The gaming floor here is over 50,000 square feet in size and includes 1,000 slots plus over 60 table games.
Catawba Two Kings Casino
This facility is currently under construction and experiencing a delay in completion. For now, guests can enjoy over 1,000 slots at a temporary facility in Kings Mountain.
Tribal Casinos in Murphy, North Carolina
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino is located in Murphy. This is the second largest casino in the state, with over 50,000 square feet of gaming floor.
| Casino Name | Dealer Reputation | Minimum Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River | Friendly/Knowledgable | $5 |
Tribal Casinos in Cherokee, North Carolina
The Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is the largest casino in North Carolina, with over 100,000 square feet of gaming space. Enjoy thousands of games here, with options for slots and table games.
| Casino Name | Dealer Reputation | Minimum Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort | Highly Trained | $5 |
Tribal Casinos in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Catawba Two Kings Casino is still in the works, and it is unclear when the venue will be completed. Players can access games via a temporary space.
| Casino Name | Dealer Reputation | Minimum Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba Two Kings Casino | N/A | Table Games are not available at this time. |
North Carolina Market Overview
- Year first casino opened: 1997
- Number of casinos: 3
- Number of tribes with casinos: 2
- Number of gambling machines: 71,000
- Number of cardrooms: 0, Casinos have poker rooms available.
- Annual casino revenue: $1.76 billion economic impact
- Gaming regulator: Tribal Gaming Commission
Author
Sadonna Price
For almost two decades, Sadonna has provided quality content for online gambling operators both in the United States and abroad. With a focus on casino gaming and poker, Sadonna has covered the latest legal developments in the industry, including new services as they launch in the US, as well as fun and interesting articles on new games and exciting tournament action.