Legalized sports betting has exploded onto the scene in the United States following the reversal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in 2018. Since then, 33 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting in some capacity, and this number is sure to increase in the coming years.
Want to know if you can bet in the Tar Heel State? Check out our North Carolina guide to sports betting:
Is sports betting legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill on Wednesday to legalize sports betting and horse racing across the state. According to the Associate Press, sports betting could start as early as Jan. 8, 2024, or late as mid-June 2024. When sports betting does go live, residents will have the option to bet mobile or in-person at various locations.
Before this bill was signed by Gov. Cooper, legal sports betting only took place at three casinos across North Carolina, which includes two casinos owned and operated by two American Indian tribes.
How do I bet on sports in North Carolina?
North Carolinians must be 21 or older to bet on sports in person/online, which is common for most states who have legalized sports betting.
Can I bet on college sports in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 19 D1 programs, and according to the newly-signed law, residents 21 or older can bet on college sports. This means North Carolina sports betting fans could bet on individual games and place futures bets, such as can the University of North Carolina win the ACC in college football or basketball this season. However, we don't know if residents will have the chance to bet on college player props, which has been a sticking point for some states.
Where can I bet on sports in North Carolina?
Currently, there are three retail locations for residents to bet on sports legally in North Carolina. However, with Gov. Cooper signing House Bill 347: Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering into law, we could see multiple venues having sportsbooks on location. According to the bill, the North Carolina Lottery Commission can issue up to 12 interactive sports wagering licenses for online/mobile sports betting.