North Carolina (NC) Sportsbooks: Best Sports Betting Sites & Apps – December 2024

Yes, sports betting is legal in North Carolina. The state legalized both retail and online sports betting with the passage of HB 347 in June 2023, although online sports betting didn’t officially go live until March 2024.

North Carolina is one of the most recent states to legalize sports betting, as the state took several years to do so after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018.

As long as you’re at least 21 years old and physically located in North Carolina, you can legally bet on sports there.

Here’s what to look for when deciding whether to sign up for an online sportsbook in North Carolina.

• App functionality: The app should work smoothly with fast load times, quick odds updates and an easy-to-use interface.
• Betting market variety: Having a variety of sports and betting markets to wager on is key, especially if you’re interested in niche markets or international sports.
• Betting odds: Odds should be competitive compared to other sportsbooks, otherwise you’ll miss out on potential profit.
• Customer service: You’ll want reliable support options in case you have any questions or run into issues with your account.
• Live betting: The ability to quickly wager on events that are already in progress is important, as odds are constantly shifting.
• Payment methods: Having several different convenient payment options available like credit/debit cards, online banking and digital wallets to fund your account.
• Promotions: Includes a strong welcome offer for new users along with promotions for existing customers like referral bonuses and odds boosts.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the online sportsbooks in North Carolina that meet our recommended criteria for your sports betting experience. All of the following sportsbooks rate highly for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

DraftKings is one of the biggest and most popular online sportsbooks in the U.S. It launched in North Carolina when sports betting went live there in March 2024 and is partnered with NASCAR.

One of the best daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators as well, DraftKings boasts an impressive array of betting markets, especially prop bets and futures. It has plenty of odds boosts, a strong rewards program and a Parlay Builder tool that makes it easy to combine multiple wagers into one. It also has an attractive sign-up offer for new customers.

DraftKings is the official betting partner of the UFC if you’re interested in wagering on MMA.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV
Offer Expires	Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.5/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

FanDuel went live in North Carolina the same day that mobile sports betting launched in the state and is DraftKings’ top rival in terms of market share. It is an official sports betting partner of the Carolina Panthers.

Like DraftKings, FanDuel built its reputation as a top DFS site before sports betting became legal in the U.S. in 2018. It is now one of the top online sportsbooks on the market.

FanDuel stands out with its sleek, easy-to-use app, which many bettors consider the best in the industry. It also has daily promotions/odds boosts, a strong welcome offer and good customer service.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.9/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

BetMGM has flair to spare with advertisements featuring A-list celebrities like Jamie Foxx. It launched in North Carolina the same day that online sports betting went live there and has a betting partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway.

As the sports betting wing of MGM, BetMGM lives up to the hype. It offers an impressive array of betting markets along with strong promotions and customer service, plus frequent odds boosts on local teams.

Like DraftKings, BetMGM makes it easy to build your own parlays and same-game parlays with its “Build Parlay” button under each sporting event.

BetMGM also has a unique “Edit My Bet” feature that allows bettors to adjust eligible wagers even after the game has started.

Category	Description
Offer	Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses
Promo Code	FORBES
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Feb. 10, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

Caesars arrived in North Carolina the same day that online sports betting debuted there. Customers immediately noticed its extensive odds boosts, with dozens being offered on various sports every day.

Caesars has plenty of regular bets, too. It has a vast menu of betting markets and options, plus an enticing welcome offer. It also has a strong rewards program and frequent promotions for loyal customers along with a “FireBets” feature that makes live betting quick and easy.

The interface makes finding prop bets and parlays seamless as well, making Caesars an enjoyable experience for sports bettors.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $1, get 10 $100% profit boosts
Promo Code	FORBES1000
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	11:59 a.m. local time on Jan. 27, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.7/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

Fanatics is one of the newest sportsbooks on the market, debuting in 2023 after merging with PointsBet. It launched in NC the same day that online sports betting did and is partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Fanatics has a modern mobile app with daily odds boosts and pre-built parlays. It also tailors the home page based on your betting habits and history so you can easily find your favorite sports and bet types.

Fanatics’ biggest perk might be its generous rewards program, which gives bettors a percentage of every bet back in FanCash. FanCash can then be used for bonus bets at the sportsbook or as site credit at Fanatics’ retail website, where you can purchase merchandise and apparel of your favorite teams.

Category	Description
Offer	Get daily $100 no-sweat bet for 10 straight days
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	$1+, min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.4/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

Founded in 2000, the British-based Bet365 is one of the best sportsbooks in the world with over 90 million customers. It’s been expanding across the U.S. and launched in North Carolina in March 2024.

A betting partner of the Charlotte Hornets, Bet365 features a unique welcome offer along with a diverse menu of betting markets and props. It offers tons of international markets, making it a great option for bettors who like to bet on niche sports or foreign markets like cricket or soccer.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR get up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses
Promo Code	FORBES (U.S.), FORBESCAN (Canada ex. Ontario)
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA, VA
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.6/5
Date Verified	Dec. 4, 2024
Claim Bonus

One of the newest sportsbooks on the scene, ESPN BET debuted in November 2023 after rebranding from Barstool Sportsbook. It arrived in North Carolina four months later when online sports betting officially launched there.

ESPN BET has everything you’d expect from a modern sportsbook, including a clean-looking app, quick load times and extensive betting markets.

There are exclusive odds boosts at ESPN BET as well, many of which have fun tie-ins to ESPN personalities. ESPN BET also has good promotions, including a strong welcome offer for new customers.

ESPN BET is partnered with Quail Hollow Club and the Wells Fargo Championship – a PGA Tour event held at the venue.

We’ve taken the time to sample and research numerous sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the best in the industry. These rankings can help you decide which ones to try first in North Carolina.

Our rankings are based on scores in the following categories:

• App reviews
• Availability across states
• Size of welcome offer
• Ease of claiming welcome offer
• Rewards program
• In-app streaming capabilities
• Existing user promos
• Customer service options

Below, we’ll break down each category and why it’s important to your sports betting experience.

App Reviews

A quick and easy way to get a sense of a sportsbook’s quality is by comparing user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since ratings are out of five stars, you’ll generally want a sportsbook that’s well-regarded with an average score of at least four stars.

You can also dive into specific user comments to get a sense of what people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring complaints or issues. This can be helpful for features that are hard to gauge until you actually use the app, like lagginess or customer service.

Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much stock in specific reviews.

That said, if you notice common themes throughout the comments, consider it a warning for issues you may encounter with the app.

State Availability

Each state handles sports betting differently. Some states allow both in-person and mobile sports betting, while others might only allow in-person sports betting or have a hard cap on the number of mobile sportsbooks permitted.

Accordingly, sportsbooks vary by state, as each state has to approve a sportsbook before it can launch there. No sportsbook is available in every state with legal online sports betting, but a few have launched in the majority of them.

Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. That means it’s more likely to be available in your state, a bordering state or a state you’re likely to travel to, making it easier and more convenient to use. That way, you’ll be able to take your sportsbook with you rather than needing to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.

While smaller “local” sportsbooks usually offer profit boosts and other bonuses based on hometown teams, they’re usually only available in a handful of states at most, offering limited availability.

Size of Welcome Offer

This is an important one. How much free money will a sportsbook give you for signing up?

Most sportsbooks have welcome offers to entice new customers, but it’s important to know how these offers work. Just because an offer has a higher dollar amount attached to it doesn’t necessarily make it better.

Some sportsbooks have “bet and get” promotions where you receive bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of money. For example, you might get $200 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 wager. You’re essentially getting free money to bet with.

Other sportsbooks have “no-sweat” offers that give a bonus bet only if your first bet loses.

For example, if you place a $20 bet after signing up and it loses, you’ll receive a $20 bonus bet, similar to a refund.

These offers tend to wow bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promos, often going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only receive a bonus bet if your first wager loses, in which case you’ll need to use the bonus bet to try to win your money back. If your wager wins, you’ll receive your cash winnings like a normal wager but won’t receive any bonus.

Accordingly, “no sweat” offers generally aren’t as good as “bet and get” promos.

When comparing sportsbooks, it’s better to focus on welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you site credit no matter what.

Ease of Claiming Welcome Offer

The size of the bonus offer won’t matter if it’s difficult to claim.

The best sportsbook bonus offers are as easy to claim as they are generous, being simple and straightforward without requiring you to jump through hoops.

The best bonuses are guaranteed and hit your account instantly as soon as you place your first bet. They’ll also be easy to follow and won’t require you to check a bunch of boxes to get your bonus.

Some sportsbook bonus offers require you to make multiple wagers or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re trying to get your full bonus ahead of a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness.

More complex offers can be a pain, so we prefer simplified offers with fewer requirements.

Rewards Program

If you bet often and are planning to use a sportsbook frequently, a strong rewards program is essential.

Loyalty programs differ by sportsbook. Some give you rewards points for each bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other rewards. Others offer big rewards like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.

On the other hand, some sportsbooks don’t have any rewards. That might not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for frequent sports bettors.

It’s like paying for something with cash versus a credit card. If you place a bet at a site without a loyalty program, you’re missing out on points elsewhere.

In-App Streaming Capabilities

While bigger sports like football or basketball are usually only available to watch via traditional cable or streaming services, some sportsbooks offer the ability to stream smaller sports in the app, which is a benefit for bettors.

For example, FanDuel‘s app often streams tennis matches, which makes it easier to follow the action and place live wagers.

Beyond just offering live streaming, we also considered how laggy the stream was, how much battery it used and the amount of events available to stream in the app.

Existing User Promos

Most sportsbooks have some type of welcome offer to get new customers in the door, but where they really differ is with their promotions for existing customers.

Some sportsbooks offer a slew of daily promotions like odds boosts, no-sweat bets, bonus bets and more to keep customers coming back every day. Others only offer these sparingly, however, if at all.

One key existing user promo to consider is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks have some type of referral bonus for getting someone else to sign up, but the amount can differ ($50 per person, $100, $200, etc.). If you’re planning to bet with friends or family, this can be a great way to score bonus bets for you and them.

Similar to a rewards program, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent offers for existing customers if you plan to bet frequently.

Customer Service Options

Strong customer service options are a must for any sportsbook considering most disputes or calls involve someone’s money.

High marks were given to any sportsbook that offered 24/7 customer service (sporting events often end at night, after all), while points were deducted if a sportsbook relied on a FAQ page as a key part of its customer service profile. The more options for contacting customer service (email, chat, phone, etc.), the better.

Customer support is essential to guaranteeing a smooth sports betting experience. If a problem arises, it’s important to have it handled quickly and effectively.