North Carolina Sports Betting Sites

The time has come and North Carolina has officially launched sports betting!

As of March 11, you can now place sports bets legally on both your mobile device and select in-person shops while in North Carolina.

Below, we'll cover all the North Carolina sports betting sites, including the user experience, the best welcome offers, and how to leverage these sportsbook offerings to put more money in your pocket.

My North Carolina Sportsbook Experience

It can be somewhat overwhelming to start the sports betting experience, as eight unique platforms have launched onMarch 11, each with its pros and cons. Luckily, choosing where to begin the journey is the toughest decision to make in this process.

I elected BetMGM as my North Carolina Sportsbook of choice because it’s one of the most recognizable brands in the industry. They had a fantastic pre-registration offer (more on that below) and were highly recommended by my friends in already legal states.

Once I had decided on BetMGM, the sign-up process was a breeze. All I needed to do was click the “Get Bonus” button on OddsSeeker and follow the prompts on the BetMGM website. I entered the required personal information -- name, home address, email address, password, and last four of SSN -- and promptly received an email to verify my account.

I was fortunate enough not to be forced to submit documents, but I have heard of players needing to before the account was verified – so be prepared to submit or scan a utility bill, a picture of your photo ID, or another form of acceptable identification according to their terms and conditions.

Best North Carolina Sports Betting Sites

With any new state launch, all the biggest sports betting brands in the United States are attempting to get licensing and in on the state. The expectation is that 8 sportsbooks will be full-go come the launch day of March 11th:

BetMGM

BetMGM is a top sportsbook operator across the nation, and they also offer the best pre-registration offer of any of the online sportsbook operators with the BetMGM NC $200 Preregistration bonus.

You don’t need to deposit. You don’t need to do anything outside of sign-up for an account and you’ll get $200 in bonus bets on launch day. There is a reason BetMGM is held in such high regard, this is a site you can trust – so be sure to claim the preregistration offer before it's too late.

DraftKings

There is a reason why DraftKings has carved out its place as a top-3 company in American sports betting. An all-around fantastic customer experience anchored by their elegant app and some of the best sportsbook promotions in the industry.

You can preregister today for DraftKings in North Carolina, and you’ll get $100 in bonus bets on North Carolina's launch day, plus the patented DraftKings Bet 5 Get 200 in bonus bets welcome bonus – totaling $300 in bonus bets from just a $5 bet.

FanDuel

FanDuel Sportsbook rivals any of its competitors when it comes to the user experience with its app. They are also known for strong promotions for new sign-ups and existing users and offer arguably the most betting markets in the United States.

FanDuel is offering the same pre-live offer as DraftKings – $100 in bonus bets on launch day, and a Bet $5 Get $200 in bonus bets when the site officially goes live on March 11th.

Caesars

Caesars is arguably more recognizable for its brick-and-mortar casinos and the Caesars Palace Online Casino than the sportsbook. However, the Caesars Sportsbook has a strong reputation, solid promos, and an above-average app as well.

Caesars' pre-live bonus is a bit unique compared to its competitors, as you’ll receive seven (7) 100% profit boost tokens on launch day. You’ll also be able to claim the Caesars $250 Bet and Get, where your first bet of $10+ will grant you $250 in bonus bets.

ESPN BET

ESPN BET is one of the new kids on the block. The behemoth sports media brand ESPN inked a partnership agreement with PENN National Gaming to replace the Barstool Sportsbook.

It hasn’t been a *perfect* marriage thus far, as ESPN struggles to overcome the more established brands in other states – however, North Carolina could be a huge breakthrough for the brand.

ESPN BET doesn’t have the best welcome offer of your options in North Carolina, but it is competitive: A $25 pre-registration offer and then an additional $200 in bonus bets when you place your first bet once it goes live.

bet365

bet365 is one of the largest sportsbook operators in Europe and has begun to establish itself in the US. They’ve been able to pick up a decent market share in the nine (soon to be ten) states they currently operate in.

In addition to the bet365 North Carolina pre-live offer -- where you’ll get a $100 bonus on launch day -- you’ll also have the choice between two welcome offers with your first bet.

You can either select a Bet $5, Get a $200 bonus, or a $1,000 safety net bet insurance.

The offer you choose is completely up to you, but if you’re going to select the $1,000 safety net bet insurance, you should be willing and able to maximize the bonus. And be aware that if your first bet wins, you won’t receive any additional bonus bets. You’ll have your winnings from your first bet, but that is the end of the bonus.

I usually lean to the bet and get for its guaranteed value and more bang for my buck in situations like this.

Fanatics

Fanatics is another new entry into the sports betting market, absorbing the formerly known operator PointsBet. Chances are, however, you know the Fanatics name, but from it is a long-standing place atop the sports apparel business.

Fanatics can combine its apparel business with its sportsbook, which allows it to offer some of the most unique promotions in the industry. Before they fully rebranded to Fanatics, they offered the PointsBet Jersey promo where you'd get a free jersey when you placed a $50 bet.

The team at Fanatics brought back a similar promotion in North Carolina: You’ll receive $60 in promotional credit to the apparel website when you deposit at least $50.

Similar to ESPN BET, this is a huge launch for the Fanatics Sportsbook, and they’re clearly investing heavily with a $100 pre-registration bonus plus the $60 in apparel credit.

It doesn't stop there. For the first 10 days following the launch, you can place a $5+ bet and receive a bonus bet equal to that amount (up to $100).

How to Choose a NC Sports Betting Site

Each sportsbook that is launching in North Carolina has its own unique elements and pros and cons.

Countless things make each sportsbook stand out, including the type and value of the welcome offer, app experience, amount and type of betting markets, and promotions for existing users.

The first thing you need to do before deciding is rank the most important of these factors for you and select the sportsbook that provides the closest match to your needs. Here are the main factors I look to when selecting a sports betting site:

App & User Experience

This is a deal breaker for me. If the app looks shoddy, or can't complete all the simple tasks without crashing or lagging, it's more than likely I won't be hanging around.

It's also important to me that the app looks aesthetically pleasing. I'm a simple person, so granted, I don't need a ton of bells and whistles. But if they're throwing too much information at me or the app doesn't make it easy to navigate between different sections it's an annoyance I'm not willing to deal with.

If you’re looking for a great-looking (and functioning) app, your best bet will be with FanDuel. They’ve completely overhauled their app numerous times in the last half-decade of operation and continue to invest heavily in the technology.

Available Betting Options and Odds

The more sports, and markets within those sports, the better. I rarely stray off the beaten path too far, but it is fun to throw a small bet down on a first touchdown scorer on Monday Night Football.

Apps that can organize these markets in an easy-to-follow and understandable way get a major plus from me. DraftKings does a great job with this as they a ton of obscure betting markets for all sports, but do a great job organizing them so it isn't overwhelming.

Promotions

It's important to remember that sometimes the flashiest promotions aren't what they seem, as you need to be aware of the wagering requirements. Nothing is better than getting extra money from promotions in your sportsbook account. However, if a site makes it too difficult to turn the bonuses into withdrawable cash, it can ruin an experience.

In terms of the site having the best sportsbook promotions for both sign-up offers and existing user promotions, I prefer BetMGM.

Especially with the North Carolina pre-live offer, you’ll receive $200 in bonus bets (just a 1x wagering requirement) on sign-up – and a plethora of profit boosts, bet insurance promos, and occasionally no-deposit bonuses just for signing in to your app and pressing a button.

Best North Carolina Sportsbook for Beginners

Most of your options for a North Carolina sportsbook will make it as easy as possible to use their platform, but some simply fall shorter than the competitors.

My favorite sportsbook to recommend for beginners is FanDuel – the app is top-notch and easy to navigate seamlessly between sports, markets, and bet types.

FanDuel boasts a solid (and beginner-friendly) welcome bonus, decent existing user promotions, and makes their house rules easy to find and understand.

Best North Carolina Sportsbook for Experts

Once you’ve entered the sports betting world, most of these platforms will be easy to navigate and understand.

As an expert sports bettor, you’re probably looking for a good rewards program, solid existing user promotions, and ample betting markets.

DraftKings checks all of these boxes, and although it is a perfectly reasonable choice for beginners – the experts will love the DraftKings rewards program. Players can earn crowns and tier credits by completing challenges that keep things fresh.

And once you've earned enough, you’ll be able to spend the crowns on a variety of things including merch, discounted trips and travel, and experiences.

How to Sign Up for a North Carolina Sports Betting Site

Signing up for one of your many options when it comes to North Carolina sportsbooks is easy; just follow the steps below:

Note: These steps may vary slightly depending on the operator.

• Click the “Get Bonus” button on the top of this page or navigate to the sportsbooks website/app.

• Once on the site, click “Register” or “Sign-Up”

• Follow the on-screen prompts and enter the required information, including name, address, DOB, etc.

• Some NC sports betting sites may require a promo code. You can find the promo codes here on OddsSeeker.

• Read and accept the terms and conditions.

Some online sportsbooks may require you to complete additional verification steps before you’re eligible to bet on the platform. This may include submitting a valid photo ID or a utility bill, entering your complete social security number (it’s secure, don’t worry), and enabling two-step verification through your phone or email.

What Payment Methods are Available for North Carolina Sportsbooks? 

Depositing on a North Carolina sportsbook is also easy, and most will accept all the traditional payment methods. These are the most popular payment methods you’ll see at the top NC sports betting sites:

• Apple Pay

• Bank Transfer

• Credit and Debit Cards

• PayPal

• Play +

• Prepaid Cards

• Venmo

• Wire Transfer

How to Place Bets at NC Sportsbooks?

Once the launch day of March 11 arrives, after you’ve signed up, selected your payment method, and made your initial deposit – it’s time to place a bet!

This is arguably the most important aspect because if you've claimed the pre-live offers, it’s the first time you’ll have any risk involved. Before placing your first bet, be sure to do a bit of research and once you’ve decided on your bet, just follow these steps:

• Find the sport or event you want to bet through the menus or on the home page of the app.

• Expand your game of choice by clicking to look at all the available options for the event.

• Scroll through the various markets available for a game and find your preferred wager.

• Add a bet (or multiple bets) to your bet slip by clicking the odds next to your wager.

• Enter the amount you want to wager and place your bet.

It can be overwhelming to begin with but familiarize yourself with the platform and its workings, and it won’t take long to get an understanding of how it works.

Always be sure to double and triple-check your bets before finalizing. You would hate to mislick a bet on the Over with a bet on the Under and lose – trust me, it happens.

What Sports Are Available at the Top North Carolina Sportsbooks? 

You’ll find all the sports you’d expect at the top North Carolina Sportsbooks – and even some you wouldn’t expect:

• NFL

• NCAAF

• NBA

• NCAAB

• WNBA

• Golf

• MLB

• NHL

• Soccer

• MMA

• Boxing

• F1

• NASCAR

• Darts

• Lacrosse

• Table Tennis

• Volleyball

As you can see, most professional sports will have a betting market available.

And there is always a potential for more sports and markets to pop up for any popular sporting event. One of the main limitations for the oddsmakers is the North Carolina Gaming Commission requires a majority of players competing to be 17 or older to create a betting market.

Types of Bets at North Carolina Sportsbooks 

If you have experience with sports betting or have a general understanding of how the market works, you’ll likely have heard these terms before.

But if you’re new to the scene – or need a refresher – here are the most popular bet types you’ll see at North Carolina Sportsbooks.

Spread

Spread bets are wagers based on around the point spread – a number on how much one team is expected to win by.

The favorite -- team expected to win -- needs to win more than the point spread for you to win your wager. If the underdog loses by less than the point spread, they “cover” and are the winning side of the bet.

You’ll see the availability of spread wagers in almost every sporting event. However, in some sports like football and basketball they will be more variable, while in sports like baseball and hockey, they’re often fixed at 1.5 runs/goals.

Total

Totals refers to betting on the total points scored in a contest and you can bet the two teams to go Over or Under a combined score.

You will also see totals for team (also known as Team Totals) in which you can bet a team to go Over or stay Under their expected total for a game.

Player Props

Player props are a quickly rising market in sports betting in which you can bet on a singular player's performance in any given game. The market has got so large and popular, that you’ll be able to bet on nearly every player's individual stats for every game (in professional leagues, at least).

Parlays

Parlays are a combination of multiple bets rolled into one with the benefit of increased odds. You can have parlays of two legs up to twenty allowed at most sportsbooks. Parlays are for more difficult to hit than a straight bet, so you should be cautious. A lot of new (and even experienced) player see the long odds and  up in the long odds

Same Game Parlays

Same game parlays are the new biggest fad in sports betting, its name explains the concept – a parlay based around one game.

This can be a fun method to profit off storylines you believe will factor into a game. For example, if you think that Duke is going to dominate on the offensive end in the opening round of the NCAA tournament – you could place a same-game parlay on Duke to cover the spread and the total to go over.

This would increase the odds of your wager, and if you’re right and Duke scores at will – you’re likely to win your bet.

Sportsbooks love same game parlays for a reason, they're (by far) the biggest money maker for the house. A same-game parlay can look great on paper, but trust me, they aren't always as easy as they look.

Legal North Carolina Sports Betting vs Offshore

Legal sports betting in North Carolina is officially coming, so you no longer need to worry about offshore books.

Legal sports betting is far better than offshore because you’re protected by a governing body -- in this case, the North Carolina Gaming Commission -- that regulates that the operators follow a set of rules and regulations.

This protects the players by prohibiting forms of predatory marketing and preventing them from running off with your money. Overall, it is a great form of protection for the players that offshore operators can not offer.

Can You Bet on Sports In-Person in North Carolina?

Yes, with this bill’s passing, you can place sports bets in North Carolina in person.

We’ve already seen several professional sports teams partner with sportsbooks, including the Charlotte Hornets with bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook with the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Carolina Panthers with FanDuel.

This will likely result in locations and betting kiosks at these stadiums and arenas or even, in some cases, open-year-round, full-service sportsbooks.