North Carolina Sports Betting – Is Sports Betting Legal In North Carolina?

• BetMGM: BetMGM launched in North Carolina as soon as sports betting became legal in the state and has a partnership with Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• FanDuel Sportsbook: One of the biggest names in North American sports betting, FanDuel launched in North Carolina on the same day that sports betting went live in the state. It’s partnered with the PGA Tour and Carolina Panthers.
• DraftKings Sportsbook: DraftKings launched in North Carolina when sports betting became legal there and has a strong presence thanks to its partnership with NASCAR.
• Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars launched its online sportsbook in North Carolina through its partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It also has two retail locations in the state.
• Fanatics Sportsbook: One of the newer sportsbooks on the market, Fanatics has a partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes and is known for its robust rewards program.
• Bet365: The British-based Bet365 launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024, and has a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets.
• ESPN BET: Another newer sportsbook, ESPN’s sportsbook has partnerships with the Quail Hollow Club and PGA Wells Fargo Championship.
• Underdog Sportsbook: Already known for its popular fantasy sports platform, Underdog has a sportsbook in North Carolina as well.

You need to be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in North Carolina, which is the legal sports betting age in most states.

Online sportsbooks verify your age by confirming your identity when you sign up. If you’re under 21, you won’t be able to create an account or place any bets in person.

North Carolina is home to several professional sports teams that bettors can wager on.

• Carolina Hurricanes

After existing as the Hartford Whalers from 1979 to 1997, the team moved south to North Carolina after the 1997 season and was rebranded as the Hurricanes. After losing their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2002, the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in 2006 to secure the state’s first professional sports championship.

• Carolina Panthers

The Panthers joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995 and enjoyed immediate success, going 7-9 in their inaugural season (a record for an expansion team) and 12-4 the following year. However, they have never won a Super Bowl.

The Panthers suffered a heartbreaking loss in their first Super Bowl appearance during the 2003 season, losing on a last-second field goal to the New England Patriots. They lost their second Super Bowl appearance as well despite going 15-1 during the 2015 regular season behind league MVP Cam Newton.

• Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets were established as an expansion team in 1988. They moved to New Orleans in 2002 but were quickly replaced by the Bobcats in 2004, who later changed their name back to the Hornets in 2014.

Despite having NBA legend Michael Jordan in their ownership group from 2006 to 2023, the Hornets have been mediocre for much of their tenure. They have never reached the Conference Finals and are still searching for their first championship.

• NASCAR

It isn’t a professional sports team, but NASCAR is a major deal in North Carolina. Fifteen race teams are headquartered in the state, which is also home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

North Carolina also has a number of high-profile Division I schools that bettors can wager on.

• Appalachian State Mountaineers

The pride of the Sun Belt, the Mountaineers are best known for winning three straight FCS Championships from 2005 to 2007. They’re the only Division I school in North Carolina to win a National Championship in football, and their 2007 victory over Michigan marked the first time an FCS team defeated a ranked FBS opponent.

The Mountaineers have appeared in three NCAA Tournaments on the hardwood but have yet to win an NCAA Tournament game. They advanced to the semifinals of the CollegeInsider Tournament in 2010.

• Charlotte 49ers

While the 49ers fielded their first football team in 1946, it only lasted two years before going dormant until 2013. The 49ers recently made it to the Bahamas Bowl in 2019 and have sent five players to the NFL.

On the court, the 49ers have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and are best known for producing Cedric Maxwell, who won two NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.

• Davidson Wildcats

The Wildcats’ best seasons on the gridiron have come recently with three straight FCS playoff appearances from 2020 to 2022. Their lone bowl appearance came in 1969 when they lost to Toledo in the Tangerine Bowl.

Their best season on the hardwood came in 2008 when future NBA superstar Stephen Curry led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight, where they lost to Kansas. In 2022, he became the first player in school history to have his number retired.

• Duke Blue Devils

An athletic powerhouse, Duke has been playing football since 1888. The Blue Devils have had a fair amount of success, winning two unclaimed national titles and 17 conference titles. They’re also 8-8 in bowl games and have sent three players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Blue Devils are one of the most successful teams in college basketball history, winning five national championships under legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski. They also rank fourth in wins and have the highest winning percentage in NCAA Tournament history.

• NC State Wolfpack

A founding member of the ACC, the Wolfpack have won 11 conference titles and 17 bowl games. They play their home games at Carter-Finley Stadium – the state’s largest college football stadium.

The Wolfpack have won a pair of national titles on the hardwood, cutting down the nets in 1974 and 1983. They nearly won another title in 2024, reaching the Final Four as a No. 11 seed.

• North Carolina Tar Heels

Perhaps the state’s best-known sports team, the Tar Heels have won numerous championships across a variety of sports and are known for their bitter rivalry with Duke.

The Tar Heels have won eight conference championships and 15 bowl games in football. They’re also credited with creating the forward pass in a game against Georgia in 1895.

The Tar Heels have been phenomenal on the court, ranking third with six NCAA Championships. Their most famous player was Michael Jordan, who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

• Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The smallest school to play in a Power Five conference, the Demon Deacons haven’t had much success on the gridiron. They’ve had more success recently, however, making seven bowl games since 2016.

Wake Forest has done better on the hardwood, producing NBA legends like Tim Duncan and Chris Paul. Despite reaching the Final Four in 1962, the school has never won a national championship in men’s basketball.