Are Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina?
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 |
Best Legal Online Casinos in NC
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.
- Sweepstakes Coins -
these are also known as ‘SC’ and are the premium currency at sweepstakes casinos.You’ll usually be awarded some in any welcome bonus, and you can use them to play slots and table games. SC cannot be purchased, but they can be given to you as part of a bonus, or won through gameplay. The standout feature is that your SC winnings can be redeemed for real world prizes when you collect enough of them.
- Gold Coins -
GC work in a similar way, but are just there for fun play. With thousands, or sometimes millions, of them given away as part of
casino welcome bonuses, there’s lots of fun to be had, but that's as far as it goes. You can play these coins on any game, buy more in bundles if you want, but you can’t exchange, or redeem them.
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.
Stake.us - The best online sweepstakes casino for NC players
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
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
RealPrize - get started in minutes, stay for the long term
Pros and cons of RealPrize
- Excellent Daily login bonus of 5,000 GC and 0.30 SC
- Fast gift card redemptions often within 24 hours
- Quality sweepstakes casino games from top providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Seven-tier VIP program with increasing rewards
- PayPal supported for purchases and redemptions
- Small game library of only 200+ titles
- Live chat support limited to higher VIP tiers
- No dedicated sweepstakes casino app
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
High 5 Casino - the biggest games range of any NC casino online?
High 5 Casino: Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus package
- Over 1500 quality games available
- Free daily coin rewards
- Legit with multiple licenses
- Limited table game options
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
Clubs Casino - the new kid on the block
Clubs Casino: Pros & Cons
- Fly through the registration process
- Unlock a huge welcome bonus
- Swift replies from support
- Fair limits attached to redemptions
- No way to access through an app
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
WOW Vegas - has a bit of everything to suit all NC casino online players
Pros and cons of Wow Vegas
- Huge game library with over 2,100 slots from top software developers
- Frequent social media giveaways
- Generous welcome bonus of 1.75 Million WOW Coins and 35 Free Sweeps Coins
- One of the best VIP programs on the market
- No table games available
- Only 3 SC per mailing request
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
Best NC Casino Apps
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+ |
Online Casino Laws in North Carolina
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.
History of Casino Laws in NC
- 2006 - Lottery approved
- 1995 - First Indian casino opened
- 1982 - Some Indian bingo games permitted
Are Real Money Online Casinos Going to Become Legal in NC Anytime Soon?
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:
- Land based casinos
- Race track betting
- State Lottery
- Charitable Gaming
Legal Gambling Age in NC
If you wish to take part in any sort of gambling activity in NC, you’ll need to be 21 or over
Do You Pay Taxes on Casino Winnings in NC
Any winnings from that activity are taxable at 24% as it is in many other states.
What Games Are Available at NC Casinos?
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 |
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Bonuses at North Carolina Online Casinos
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:
- No deposit bonus -
usually contains both types of coins and awarded straight after registration/verification
- 1st purchase offer -
not compulsory but offers discounted Gold Coins packages with free Sweepstakes Coins
Payment Methods at Casinos in NC
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 |
Retail Casinos in North Carolina
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 |
How We Rate the Best Online Casinos in NC
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.
- Regulation - is the sweepstakes casino allowed in NC?
- Bonus offers - are they worthwhile and generous enough
- User experience - is the platform intuitive and easy to use?
- Payments and redemptions - are there enough options and is the process easy to follow?
- Other benefits - is there a VIP program for regular layers, or a refer a friend program
- Promotions - are there regular offers and competitions to keep your balance topped up?
- Support - can you get answers from live chat and email, and are they any good?
Responsible Gambling in NC
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:
- NC Problem Gambling Program - ring (1-877-718-5543)
- North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling (NCCPG) - ring (1-336-681-8516)
- The North Carolina State Lottery Commission -
https://ncgaming.gov/responsible-gaming
Explore the Best Online Casinos in Other US States
With laws changing all the time in
states that allow online casinos, it can be hard to keep track of where you can play legally. We’ve put together a range of guides to help you stay on top of the situation:
Conclusion - Sweepstakes casinos make playing in NC possible
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.
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150% Extra: 50K Gold Coins + 25 SC FREE
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56 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
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245% Extra up to 60 SC FREE + 700 Gold Coins and 400 Diamonds!
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NC casino online FAQs
🌟 What are the alternatives to real money online casinos in NC?
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.
🎁 Do you get bonuses at NC sweepstakes casinos?
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.
🕹️ Can I play at a NC casino online?
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.
Daily picks from betting experts on odds boosts and casino promos
