Looking for an NC casino online might seem impossible because there are no real money online casinos allowed to operate. If you look deeper though, you still have options for playing online casino games legally in North Carolina.
If you’re not sure what those are, then this guide is essential. While there are no real money online casino options, I’ll be showing you a range of sweepstakes casinos which are perfectly legal in North Carolina. They have all the games you’ll see at regular casinos and generous bonuses too.
With online casinos yet to be legalised in NC, there are limited options for players. There are just three land based casinos to choose from with no other online options for playing slots, table games or even poker. The only legit way forward for players is to take a look at sweepstakes casinos.
| Online casinos legal In NC | No real money option, but sweepstakes casinos are permitted |
| Land based casinos available | Three - including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Catawba Two Kings |
| Legal gambling age | 21+ |
| State gambling regulator | The North Carolina State Lottery Commission |
As sweepstakes casinos are the only legit choice, you’ll need to know how they work, as it is a little different to regular online casinos. First up, there's no playing with ‘real money’ - all of the slots and table games are played using virtual currencies, typically known as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Understanding the differences and similarities between these Coins is key.
Now you’ve got a handle on that, you are ready to take a look at the best five sweepstakes casinos out there. These brands are all highly-rated here at PromoGuy, and provide something for everyone. There are full reviews available to read if you wish, but you can see what each is about from the overviews below.
This is quite a big claim, but as you’ll see there is plenty to back it up. There's a massive bonus at the start which can be claimed in minutes and a wide range of games including a live casino and some Stake Originals titles that are easy to learn and fast to play with high RTPs. Ongoing promotions include a daily bonus and move through daily races to weekly draws and monthly GC and SC rewards from the VIP program. This is all contained on a well designed platform that both newbies and experienced players will appreciate.
Welcome Bonus - 55 Stake Cash + 260K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback with our exclusive PROMOBOY bonus code
While Stake.us takes the crown, there are also some other contenders. RealPrize is very newbie friendly, and the smaller games roster means it can look more relaxed than other casinos. There is still a handy bonus to get the ball rolling, as well as promotions and a daily login bonus exactly as you’ll find elsewhere. Look out for the Gold Coin purchase offers too, as they can really add to your balance at the start.
Welcome Bonus - Up to 125 SC FREE + 625K Gold Coins + 1250 VIP Points
Both RealPrize and Stake.us have decent game rosters, but these are dwarfed by what I found at High 5. There are 2000 titles here, admittedly mostly slots, but every type is covered so you won’t be disappointed. There’s regular promotions and the platform is easy to navigate, which given how many games are here, you might think would be the case. This is also the only casino on the list with a mobile app, which might interest you if you play on the move.
Welcome Bonus - Get 5 SC FREE+ 250 Gold Coins and 600 Diamonds
Not everyone has heard of Clubs Casino which is a shame as it has plenty going for it. There is a growing games roster, and some free spins bonuses to get you started, as well as a rather attractive (but optional) Gold Coin purchase offer. Not quite up to the standards of Stake.us just yet, but definitely one to watch as the easy to use platform adds more benefits like the refer a friend program to keep players happy in the long term.
Welcome Bonus - 100% GC Purchase Bonus, Buy a $20 GC package, get 200k GC with a 40 SC Bonus included
This is a great all round sweepstakes casino that has something for everyone. There is a huge welcome bonus of over 1.75 million Gold Coins, and over 1000 games to play. It could do with some more table games, but slot players can make the most of regular promotions on social media and the daily login bonus to keep their virtual Coin balance topped up, along with daily races, the referral bonus and a VIP program to enjoy as well.
Welcome Bonus - 35 SC FREE and 1.75M WOW Coins
Even though these are the top rated alternatives to real money online casinos in North Carolina, most don’t have a dedicated mobile app. This doesn’t have to be a problem though, as these sites are all mobile optimized and can be accessed easily using the browser on your phone.
| Casino app name | App store rating | Play store rating | Number of games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake.us | N/A | N/A | 798+ |
| High 5 Casino | 4.6 Stars | 4.1 Stars | 1956+ |
| Clubs Casino | N/A | N/A | 813+ |
| WOW Vegas | N/A | N/A | 1291+ |
| RealPrize | N/A | N/A | 558+ |
With no North Carolina real money online casino options available, there is no governing body to control it. The fact that the The North Carolina State Lottery Commission oversees gambling is an indication that this state does not have any predilection for making online casinos a reality.
As you can see from the lack of activity, and the historically dim view of gambling in NC, do not expect to see any real money online casino options in North Carolina any time soon.
While online casinos aren't available in NC just yet, there are other gambling options aside from sweepstakes casinos:
If you wish to take part in any sort of gambling activity in NC, you’ll need to be 21 or over
Any winnings from that activity are taxable at 24% as it is in many other states.
With many sweepstakes casinos having hundreds or even thousands of games available, it is impossible to list them all. They do, however fall into these categories:
| Game type | RTP | Providers | Where to find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots (Jackpot, classic & MegaWays) | 95-99% | Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming | RealPrize, Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Clubs Casino, WOW Vegas |
| Table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat) | 95-99% | Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Evolution | RealPrize, Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Clubs Casino, WOW Vegas |
| Original Games (Crash, Dice, Mines) | 98-99% | Stake.us | Stake.us,Clubs Casino, WOW Vegas |
As these are sweepstakes casinos, you won’t find the same types of bonuses you might at a regular casino. There are no deposit matches but instead they offers fall into two categories, with both usually available to new players:
As there are only GC purchases and SC redemptions, payment methods are limited. Typically including only cards and bank options:
| Method | Purchase Timescale | Redemption | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards - Mastercard, Visa | Instant | 1-3 days typical | N/A |
| Bank Transfer | Instant | 1-5 days typical | N/A |
| Gift cards | N/A | 1 day | N/A |
Land based casinos are available only on Native American land, and there are currently just three available.
| Casino | Location |
|---|---|
| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort | Cherokee |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel | Murphy |
| Catawba Two Kings Casino-Resort | Kings Mountain |
Both the mini reviews and the more detailed reviews you’ll see here at PromoGuy are compiled by experts. We all work according to the same key criteria.
It’s important to stay in control at all times, and in NC there is still help, even with the limited number of gaming options:
If you thought the NC casino online options were a closed door, you would be wrong. After reading this guide you’ll know there are other possibilities offered by sweepstakes casinos that provide the chance to play slots and table games, perfectly legally. You’ve also seen the best options for doing this, as well as the bonuses and features these brands provide for new players. This means you can get started any time you are ready, with the banners on this page taking you straight to each site so you can take a closer look.
While you won’t find a real money NC casino online, you can play slots and table games at sweepstakes casinos. These have many of the same games and generous bonuses to claim. To see how this works and find the best sweepstakes casinos in NC, check out our latest guide.
You won’t get the same bonuses as a real money NC casino online, but there are generous bonuses available when you sign up at the best sweepstakes casinos. These include RealPrize, Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Clubs Casino and WOW Vegas and you can find out more about them by reading our latest guide.
Yes, you can play slots and table games online in NC, but not for real money. Instead you can play for free at sweepstakes casinos using virtual currencies to power your gameplay. There are plenty to choose from and you can see which is the right one for you by checking out our latest guide.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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