NC Gambling Laws – State’s Stance on Gambling
Gambling in North Carolina is a very tricky affair. While widely regarded as illegal in the state, there are alternatives, and recent laws have been changing to legalize some forms of it slowly. In this blog, we will go over the important details and aspects regarding the complicated NC gambling laws. Learn about the different avenues for gambling, from online casinos to sports betting, and what their legal status is. You can also find interesting facts, such as the history of gambling in NC. Use the quick-navi below to navigate through the blog easily.
Despite the strict laws, there are plenty of options for players who seek a legal alternative for fun games of chance. We will present those alternatives, as well as ways to enjoy gambling without worrying about legal repercussions. Enjoy these fun alternatives and learn more about the gambling laws in North Carolina.
Gambling Laws and Regulations in NC
| North Carolina Gambling | Legality |
|---|---|
| Casino | Tribal Only – Highly Regulated |
| Sports | Recently Legalized – Highly Regulated |
| Racing (Horse and Greyhound) | Illegal |
| Poker | Illegal |
| Bingo | Legal – Highly Regulated |
| Lottery | Legal – Highly Regulated |
| Online Gambling | Illegal |
As can be seen from the table above, gambling in North Carolina is in a very peculiar position. By the letter of the law, both promotion and participation in gambling are completely illegal, per section 14-292 of state legislation. It is defined as a Class 2 Misdemeanor, and anyone who is arrested will face a punishment of 1-60 days of community service.
However, the good news is that in practice, North Carolina gambling laws do make a distinction between operating a gambling game and simply playing it. If a citizen were to pay money and participate in an illegal game, he would not be charged with anything and could simply walk away.
A person who operates and profits from a gambling game will be arrested. Note that, in this case, profiting does not mean winning a few wagers while you play, but actively earning money for operating the game, such as charging admission. In the subsequent paragraphs, we will go over the various types of gambling activities and how you can legally play in North Carolina. Despite the legal situation, there are ways to enjoy gambling that are not just private games at home with friends.
Casino Gaming in North Carolina
Unfortunately, due to the strict gambling laws in North Carolina, land-based casinos are forbidden. These types of laws first appeared in 1749, to prevent excessive gambling and protect people from amassing huge debts. To play in land-based casinos, you will need to play at the Indian compacts such as Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. You will find out more about them and their special rules later. However, players who wish to play casino games have yet another option.
North Carolina and Online Casinos
Like other forms of betting, online casinos cannot operate within the state of North Carolina. However, North Carolina online gambling laws do not prohibit players in the state from playing at licensed offshore gambling sites. This means players can enjoy the top USA online casinos with no worries at all.
You can rest assured that the offshore casinos available to NC players on our list are completely safe and legal, with all the necessary certifications. They follow the regulations of their own country or state and will not steal your data. NC Players have a safe and legal option to enjoy online gambling.
Sports Betting Scene in North Carolina
Until very recently, sports betting was heavily criminalized. The only option was fantasy sports sites, as despite not being formally legal, they were never persecuted. However, in 2019, Senate Bill 154 was passed, which placed sports betting as a form of Class III gaming. This means tribal casinos can offer retail sportsbooks, so NC players finally have a domestic legal option. While the sportsbooks are still under construction, this is a big step for online gambling laws NC. In the meantime, you can still participate in offshore online sportsbooks
“We expect to have a full offering similar to what you would have in other markets, like Las Vegas.” – Brian Saunooke, Harrah’s Regional Vice President of Marketing
NC Laws on Horse and Greyhound Racing
Greyhound racing has been illegal since 1954 and has not yet made a return. However, horse racing is now considered Class III gaming alongside sports betting. As such, you can place off-track racing bets at the tribal casinos and play against the house. However, parimutuel betting (betting against other players on the track) is still strictly forbidden. Your only other option is to bet on offshore online sportsbooks that allow greyhound and horse betting as NC gambling laws do not prohibit it.
Lottery and Bingo Gambling Laws
Similar to the regulations of West Virginia gambling laws, the state lottery and bingo games are some of the few completely legal methods to gamble, according to North Carolina gambling laws. The lottery is completely safe, as it is operated by the state itself, and you can even play keno or buy scratch cards.
Meanwhile, raffles and bingo games can be organized by charities and non-profit organizations, but with severe restrictions. The maximum cash prize for bingo cannot exceed $500, and for raffles, it’s $10,000. However, raffles can offer non-cash prizes with a maximum value of $50,000. Furthermore, games can only be organized twice per week or twice a year, respectively.
North Carolina Poker Laws
Poker and video poker games are completely banned, and the only establishments that can offer them are tribal casinos. In 2012, the gambling laws in North Carolina were changed, allowing casinos to host live poker games and tournaments. Currently, only Harrah’s Cherokee casino offers a live poker room, although there are also electronic poker tables for lower-stakes poker. Video poker is also only allowed at tribal casinos. Unlike online casinos in Pennsylvania, you also can’t play any online poker games.
Native American Casino Laws
Two casinos operate in the Smoky Mountains an hour apart from each other. Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino is the biggest of the two and has been around since 1997. While it originally offered only video poker games, it soon expanded to bingo and slots, and in 2012 expanded to a resort that now offers table games, like blackjack, poker, and craps.
In 2015, a smaller casino opened on a plot of land, owned by the Cherokee Indians near Murphy. Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River offers almost all the same games as the original casino, but there is no live poker available. Additionally, the casino games are all skill-based due to the NC gambling laws. So, you can lock reels on skill-based video slots or choose to double up in keno, adding a strategic element.
Trends and Predictions on North Carolina Gambling Laws
North Carolina online gambling laws are in a very complex situation. While they are much more restrictive than the legislation of New Jersey online casinos, strides have been made to allow for legal gambling options. Table games and sports betting are now available at tribal casinos, but domestic online gambling is still not available.
In recent years lawmakers have been trying to introduce various bills that would regulate gambling and allow for legal options. While they have not been very successful, and gambling is still illegal, there is room for hope as the situation can change. Hopefully, in the future NC players will be able to enjoy the fun world of gambling fully with less restrictive gambling laws in North Carolina.
FAQ Section
Before we conclude this look into the NC gambling laws, we will provide a short FAQ section. The legal situation in the state can be very confusing, so this part of our article will answer any pressing questions you may have. We will also discuss topics that could not fit in the paragraphs for extra details.
