While the legislature has shown little appetite in the past to legalize or regulate online casinos and poker, iGaming is at least now 'part of the conversation' in a wider effort by some lawmakers to bring commercial casino resorts to the state.įor now, though, while the act of playing on offshore sites is somewhat 'gray' legally, it should be assumed to be unlawful, although the law is not enforced. State residents are also free to engage in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests although they have not been expressely legalized by the legislature. The first sports betting apps will not be available until 2024. In June 2003, North Carolina's Democratic Governor Roy Cooper signed the state's mobile sports betting bill, marking the first time any form of online gambling became illegal in the state. Related reading: offshore casinos that accept players from North Carolina North Carolina Online Gambling Laws The minimum gambling age is 18 for lottery and 21 for casino games. North Carolina's gambling laws can be found in the North Carolina Revised Statutes, Article 37: Lotteries, Gaming, Bingo, and Raffles. Therefore, gambling online should be assumed to be illegal, but the law is historically unenforced. The point has never been tested in court since no one has ever been prosecuted under the above law for gambling online. However, state laws do not mention online gambling specifically, which makes it impossible to say unequivocally whether the act of playing on an offshore site is illegal. Participating in unlawful gambling as a player is considered a Class 2 misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Section 14 of the North Carolina Code makes it illegal for anyone to operate any unregulated games of chance that involve money. The state defines gambling as “operating a game of chance or playing at or betting on any game of chance at which money, property, or other thing of value is bet, whether the same be in stake or not.” Land-based and mobile, latter not launched Mobile sports betting legal but not launched The state legalized land-based and mobile sports betting and parimutuel horse betting in June 2023, and the legislature is currently making noises about introducing state licensed casinos.Ĭurrently, North Carolina has three tribal casinos, all situated in the west of the state. However, there are signs old attitudes are thawing. It was the last state on the East Coast to establish a lottery, and it offers no horse race betting facilities.

It has never legalized casino gaming, for example. Over the years, North Carolina has adopted a conservative attitude towards gambling.

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