North Carolina online casino gambling is not legal. Real-money online casino games can’t be played legally under North Carolina law, and there is minimal interest from lawmakers to authorize the games. Excluding the two casinos on sovereign Native American lands, North Carolina has no in-person gaming facilities. North Carolina Gambling Laws – Legal Status Of Different Gambling Games Casino Games: Yes, there is one tribal casino, which is run on native land by the Eastern Tribe of Cherokee Indians. Online Casinos: No, there is nothing in the laws which explicitly outlaw internet games, however, as in other States, existing gambling laws are assumed.
North Carolina will never be mistaken for a liberal state when it comes to
gambling.
gambling.
The Tar Heel State doesn’t have any commercial casinos, they didn’t have a
lottery until 2005 and their authorities have raided poker games.
lottery until 2005 and their authorities have raided poker games.
Are they this prejudiced against online gambling too?
We’ll answer this question by exploring many of North Carolina’s gambling
laws.
laws.
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Online Gambling and North Carolina Law
North Carolina doesn’t address Internet gambling in their criminal code. This
means that their online gaming market is a grey area served by many offshore
sites.
means that their online gaming market is a grey area served by many offshore
sites.
You won’t have any difficulty finding Internet casinos, poker rooms or
sportsbooks in the Tar Heel State, but this doesn’t mean that the activity is
legal.
sportsbooks in the Tar Heel State, but this doesn’t mean that the activity is
legal.
Let’s continue discussing the murky circumstances behind North Carolina
iGaming, along with whether or not you’re safe to play here.
iGaming, along with whether or not you’re safe to play here.
Is Online Gambling Legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina criminal code 14-292 offers the following definition of
illegal gambling:
illegal gambling:
“[Gambling includes] any person or organization that operates any game of
chance or any person who plays at or bets on any game of chance at which any
money, property or other thing of value is bet, whether the same be in stake or
not, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
chance or any person who plays at or bets on any game of chance at which any
money, property or other thing of value is bet, whether the same be in stake or
not, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
This is a tidy summary that lays out the punishments for both players and
operators.
operators.
Based on section 14-292, we can assume that it’s illegal to both play and
offer online gambling because it’s unapproved.
offer online gambling because it’s unapproved.
Code 14-7.20 (a) suggests another possible penalty for illegal operators:
“Any person who engages in a continuing criminal enterprise shall be punished
as a Class H felon and in addition shall be subject to the forfeiture prescribed
in subsection (b) of this section.”
as a Class H felon and in addition shall be subject to the forfeiture prescribed
in subsection (b) of this section.”
North Carolina has yet to pursue an offshore gaming site, but if they ever
did, we assume that they’d push for a Class H felony over a Class 2 misdemeanor.
did, we assume that they’d push for a Class H felony over a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Can I be Arrested for Gambling Online in North Carolina?
It’s possible, but highly unlikely.
Again, criminal code 14-292 leaves open the possibility that you can be
arrested for any unlicensed bet, but are you really going to be busted for
Internet gambling in the Tar Heel State?
arrested for any unlicensed bet, but are you really going to be busted for
Internet gambling in the Tar Heel State?
We strongly doubt that you’ll be arrested for online gambling. The biggest
reason why is because North Carolina has never prosecuted anybody for the
activity.
reason why is because North Carolina has never prosecuted anybody for the
activity.
Online gaming has been in existence for over two decades. If they haven’t
arrested an online gambler by this point, then they may never do so.
arrested an online gambler by this point, then they may never do so.
Did Sweepstakes Cafes Get Banned because they’re Internet Gambling?
North Carolina is one of many states that has dealt with the sweepstakes café
dilemma.
dilemma.
Sweepstakes cafes sell Internet time to customers who are then given the
chance to win prizes through slot like machines.
chance to win prizes through slot like machines.
These businesses exploit a loophole in many states’ criminal codes because
they’re not selling bets – they’re selling Internet time.
they’re not selling bets – they’re selling Internet time.
In the late 2000s, the State Legislature launched a campaign to get rid of
sweepstakes cafes. They initially lost, but took the matter to the North
Carolina Supreme Court and won in 2010.
sweepstakes cafes. They initially lost, but took the matter to the North
Carolina Supreme Court and won in 2010.
Immediately afterward, state authorities began forcing sweepstakes businesses
to shut down.
to shut down.
But not all of these cafes closed as ordered. Chan Ji Byung was
running a sweepstakes café in Raleigh until 2014. He was arrested on an
“online gambling” warrant, and his business was shut down.
running a sweepstakes café in Raleigh until 2014. He was arrested on an
“online gambling” warrant, and his business was shut down.
This differs from a traditional offshore casino because Byung and others were
running sweepstakes cafes on North Carolina soil. This also shows that the state
will bust an Internet gambling operator when necessary.
running sweepstakes cafes on North Carolina soil. This also shows that the state
will bust an Internet gambling operator when necessary.
Are Offshore Gaming Sites Safe?
As the name suggests, offshore gaming sites aren’t located or licensed in the
U.S. Due to this factor, they don’t have to adhere to American business
standards and laws.
U.S. Due to this factor, they don’t have to adhere to American business
standards and laws.
But this doesn’t mean that all offshore gambling companies are automatically
crooked.
crooked.
The quality and reputability of offshore sites depend upon the individual
company. Below are some steps you want to take to find the best offshore
casinos, poker rooms and sports betting sites:
company. Below are some steps you want to take to find the best offshore
casinos, poker rooms and sports betting sites:
- Read Reviews
- Find Out when the Site Opened
- Make Sure You can Deposit
- Contact Customer Support
We recommend reading several reviews to gauge the overall
quality of a gaming site to see if it meets your needs.
quality of a gaming site to see if it meets your needs.
Serving customers well is a crucial
element of staying in business for years.
element of staying in business for years.
Before you waste too much time with any
individual site, make sure that they have a deposit option you can use.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to play there for real money.
individual site, make sure that they have a deposit option you can use.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to play there for real money.
Customer service is one of the most
underrated aspects to a gaming site. Send them a simple question to see how
quickly they respond and gauge their friendliness.
underrated aspects to a gaming site. Send them a simple question to see how
quickly they respond and gauge their friendliness.
Also On This Page
More Gambling Laws in North Carolina
Gambling Venues in North Carolina
The History of Gaming Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina Gambling FAQs
Additional Information
The Future of Gambling in North Carolina
Gambling Venues in North Carolina
The History of Gaming Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina Gambling FAQs
Additional Information
The Future of Gambling in North Carolina
More Gambling Laws in North Carolina
- Casino Games: Legal
- Sports Betting:Illegal
- Poker: Legal
- Racing Betting:Illegal
- Lottery: Legal
- Bingo: Legal
- Charitable Gambling: Legal
- Social Gambling: Illegal
Casinos: Legal
North Carolina was largely void of gambling options until the 1990s. This is
when they negotiated a casino gambling compact with the Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians.
when they negotiated a casino gambling compact with the Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians.
In 1997, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino became the state’s first casino. In 2015,
the same tribe opened a second venue called Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
Casino & Hotel.
the same tribe opened a second venue called Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
Casino & Hotel.
Originally, these establishments were only approved to offer video gaming.
The tribes and state government amended this deal in 2012 so that the casinos
could offer table games too.
The tribes and state government amended this deal in 2012 so that the casinos
could offer table games too.
Charitable Gambling: Legal
Approved charities can only offer bingo and raffles in North Carolina.
As outlined by section 14-309.6 (1) of the Charitable Gaming Statues,
approved charities include: civic, fraternal, nonprofit, patriotic, religious
and volunteer fire department groups.
approved charities include: civic, fraternal, nonprofit, patriotic, religious
and volunteer fire department groups.
Section 14-309.9 states that no bingo session can award over $1,500 worth of
prizes, and raffles can’t offer more than $10,000 in one session.
prizes, and raffles can’t offer more than $10,000 in one session.
Lottery: Legal
North Carolina didn’t approve their lottery until 2005.
Despite the late start, their lottery has been really successful, and has
generated over $5 billion to the state’s education system.
generated over $5 billion to the state’s education system.
Games offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery include: Lucky for
Life, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Powerball.
Life, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Powerball.
Poker: Legal
North Carolina only has one poker room in Harrah’s Cherokee. This is a
sizable poker room with 20 tables and a host of tournaments.
sizable poker room with 20 tables and a host of tournaments.
The Poker Tavern League used to offer poker tournaments in the state’s bars.
This league thought they could get around gambling laws by giving out non cash
prizes.
This league thought they could get around gambling laws by giving out non cash
prizes.
After several unsuccessful legal battles with the state, the Poker Tavern
League eventually shut down.
League eventually shut down.
Racing: Illegal
Greyhound racing was legal in North Carolina for a short stint from 1948 to
1954. These races took place at the Morehead City and Moyock racetracks.
1954. These races took place at the Morehead City and Moyock racetracks.
Greyhound racing and both tracks were all abolished in the mid-1950s after
corruption allegations. The private company that ran the tracks was allegedly
being given special treatment by officials.
corruption allegations. The private company that ran the tracks was allegedly
being given special treatment by officials.
North Carolina is one of the few states that has never allowed horseracing.
Social Gambling: Illegal
The North Carolina Constitution doesn’t address social gambling.
Going back to code 14-292, any betting activity that’s not approved by the
state is illegal. Therefore, social gaming is also be deemed illegal in this
context.
state is illegal. Therefore, social gaming is also be deemed illegal in this
context.
North Carolina is a state where you definitely want to be careful when
playing home poker games. Here are a few instances of home games being busted:
playing home poker games. Here are a few instances of home games being busted:
WRAL.com reported that police raided a 2007 warehouse poker function and
cited 41 players. The police asked for backup from the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives because they thought there would be guns and
drugs on the property.
cited 41 players. The police asked for backup from the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives because they thought there would be guns and
drugs on the property.
CardPlayer covered a 2008 poker bust in Fayetteville, where police charged
39 players with misdemeanor gambling. They also arrested the host for selling
alcohol, which is a common crime at any home based gambling function.
39 players with misdemeanor gambling. They also arrested the host for selling
alcohol, which is a common crime at any home based gambling function.
A ChipTalk forum user wrote that a 2011 Raleigh based poker game was raided by
armed policemen. Players were charged with illegal gambling. The hosts were
raking pots and were likely charged (not specified) for operating an illegal
gaming business.
armed policemen. Players were charged with illegal gambling. The hosts were
raking pots and were likely charged (not specified) for operating an illegal
gaming business.
As these instances show, you can be cited or arrested for social gambling in
North Carolina, but if you’re going to play anyways, the key is to avoid raked
games.
North Carolina, but if you’re going to play anyways, the key is to avoid raked
games.
Bars & Video Terminals: Illegal
Much like with sweepstakes cafes, North Carolina had trouble with bars and
video gaming terminals.
video gaming terminals.
They originally allowed bars and other liquor serving venues to offer video
gaming. By the year 2000, they imposed machine limits because the state was
becoming filled with gambling games.
gaming. By the year 2000, they imposed machine limits because the state was
becoming filled with gambling games.
Many bars ignored the limitations and continued offering as many machines as
they wanted. StarNews reported at the time that there was a 2:1 ratio of illegal to legal
machines.
they wanted. StarNews reported at the time that there was a 2:1 ratio of illegal to legal
machines.
With thousands of illegal gambling machines flooding their state, North
Carolina banned all video gaming.
Carolina banned all video gaming.
Gambling Venues in North Carolina
North Carolina is low on gambling establishments, with the Eastern Cherokee
Band owning the only two casinos.
Band owning the only two casinos.
The largest of these is Harrah’s Cherokee, which has 3,300 gaming machines
and 100 table games. Their other property, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley, features
1,050 gaming machines and 70 table games.
and 100 table games. Their other property, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley, features
1,050 gaming machines and 70 table games.
The Catawaba Tribe wants to open another casino called King’s Mountain
Resort. Their proposed plan is to build this $600 million complex in the
Charlotte area.
Resort. Their proposed plan is to build this $600 million complex in the
Charlotte area.
The Catawaba have the backing of Hard Rock International, but the Cherokee
Tribe is protesting the casino along with Charlotte based anti-gambling
activists.
Tribe is protesting the casino along with Charlotte based anti-gambling
activists.
As of now, the King’s Mountain is still shelved until the U.S. Department of
the Interior gives their approval.
the Interior gives their approval.
Below, you can see the gaming establishments that are currently active in
North Carolina:
North Carolina:
1) Cherokee Tribal Bingo
91 Bingo Loop Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
2) Eastway Beach Bingo
2835 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
3) Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
4) Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino
Nantahala National Forest, 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906
5) Stumbilicious BINGO!!
202 W Market St Greensboro, NC 27401
History of Gambling in North Carolina
North Carolina became the eighth U.S. colony in 1653. This means that their
gambling history begins earlier than most states.
gambling history begins earlier than most states.
In 1753, the colony banned gambling in public, erased all gaming debts and
limited daily gambling losses to 40 shillings.
limited daily gambling losses to 40 shillings.
By 1784, all of these laws were repealed because North Carolina officials
wanted to tax gambling.
wanted to tax gambling.
The first time that North Carolina’s modern statehood government took
gambling on was 1939, when they legalized greyhound racing. The activity would
be banned less than two decades later in 1954.
gambling on was 1939, when they legalized greyhound racing. The activity would
be banned less than two decades later in 1954.
In 1979, the state legalized bingo and raffles for non-profit organizations.
One of the most notable events in North Carolina’s gambling history occurred
in 1994, when the government signed a video gaming compact with the Cherokee
Indians. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns both tribal casinos in
the state.
in 1994, when the government signed a video gaming compact with the Cherokee
Indians. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns both tribal casinos in
the state.
As for Internet gambling, the Old North State has only considered daily
fantasy sports so far. Hopefully these pursuits will expand into online casino
and poker games someday.
1753fantasy sports so far. Hopefully these pursuits will expand into online casino
and poker games someday.
Colony government bans gambling in public; limits losses to 40 shillings per day; and forgives gaming losses.
1988Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed, allowing tribes and states to negotiate casino compacts.
1994Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians approved to offer video gaming.
1997Harrah’s Cherokee Casino becomes first in the state.
2007North Carolina bans video gaming machines at businesses because they’re abusing the limits.
2012Tribal compact amended so that Cherokee casinos can offer table games.
2017Daily fantasy sports bill introduced in the State Legislature committee.
North Carolina Gambling FAQs
Earlier, we covered that the Tar Heel State doesn’t address online gambling.
Then again, their broad laws also leave open the possibility that iGaming is
illegal in the state.
Then again, their broad laws also leave open the possibility that iGaming is
illegal in the state.
This no doubt leads to more questions on North Carolina’s Internet gambling.
Let’s cover a few of the most common ones that we’ve received below.
Let’s cover a few of the most common ones that we’ve received below.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in North Carolina?
According to ESPN, North Carolina follows a “predominance test” when it comes to daily
fantasy sports. This means that relative levels of chance and skill are measured
to see if the activity is legal.
fantasy sports. This means that relative levels of chance and skill are measured
to see if the activity is legal.
The state hasn’t announced that DFS is inherently illegal. This means that
industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel continue to serve North Carolina until
told otherwise.
industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel continue to serve North Carolina until
told otherwise.
State Reps Ed Hanes and Jon Hardister have introduced House Bill 279, which
would legalize and regulate DFS. At the time of this writing, there’s been no
word on HB 279’s success or failure.
would legalize and regulate DFS. At the time of this writing, there’s been no
word on HB 279’s success or failure.
The legislation seeks to tax DFS operators, and charge licensing fees between
$2,500 and $10,000.
$2,500 and $10,000.
Will North Carolina Legalize Online Gambling?
The Old North State hasn’t even legalized commercial casinos yet, so we don’t
see them regulating iGaming either.
see them regulating iGaming either.
Furthermore, North Carolina hasn’t had any serious discussions about
legalizing online gambling.
legalizing online gambling.
Also note that their neighbors – Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee
and Virginia – haven’t come close to regulating Internet gambling. This is
important because neighboring peers can hasten iGaming discussions (i.e.
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania).
and Virginia – haven’t come close to regulating Internet gambling. This is
important because neighboring peers can hasten iGaming discussions (i.e.
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania).
Combining these factors, we don’t see North Carolina legalizing iGaming for a
long time.
long time.
Can I Gamble on My Smartphone in North Carolina?
When pouring over most states’ gambling laws, we usually find a concrete
definition that can be used to deem a smartphone an illegal gaming device.
definition that can be used to deem a smartphone an illegal gaming device.
This isn’t the case with North Carolina. Instead, the closest thing we find
is in code 14-301:
is in code 14-301:
“It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to operate, keep in
his possession or in the possession of any other person, firm or corporation,
for the purpose of being operated, any slot machine or device where the user may
become entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or any thing of value,
as defined in G.S. 14-306.”
his possession or in the possession of any other person, firm or corporation,
for the purpose of being operated, any slot machine or device where the user may
become entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or any thing of value,
as defined in G.S. 14-306.”
This definition is meant to cover illegal slot machines, but the phrase
“device where the user may become entitled to receive money…” could describe a
smartphone.
“device where the user may become entitled to receive money…” could describe a
smartphone.
This is a stretch though, and North Carolina would probably use their basic
definition of illegal gambling to pursue a mobile player.
definition of illegal gambling to pursue a mobile player.
Again, though, North Carolina has never arrested somebody just for online
gambling.
gambling.
Additional Resources
The Old North Line State features two main gambling bodies, including
Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission and the North Carolina Education Lottery.
Here’s info on both of these organizations.
Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission and the North Carolina Education Lottery.
Here’s info on both of these organizations.
- Article 37 of the
North Carolina Constitution
North Carolina doesn’t have a commercial casino industry. Given that the
Harrah’s casinos are both on sovereign reservations, the Cherokee Tribal Gaming
Commission oversees this sector.
Harrah’s casinos are both on sovereign reservations, the Cherokee Tribal Gaming
Commission oversees this sector.
The North Carolina Education Lottery handles the state’s various lottery
games and makes payouts to winners.
games and makes payouts to winners.
This section lays out many of North Carolina’s gambling laws. You’ll find
info on charitable bingo, lotteries and other forms of gaming in the state.
info on charitable bingo, lotteries and other forms of gaming in the state.
The Future & Your Views
North Carolina is in the heart of the Bible Belt, and their gambling
actions/laws reflect this.
actions/laws reflect this.
The Old North State has busted poker games, banned video gaming machines and
shut down sweepstakes cafés under the banner of illegal online gambling.
shut down sweepstakes cafés under the banner of illegal online gambling.
We’re not saying that North Carolina wasn’t justified in these things, but
these events show that they aren’t very liberal in regards to gaming.
these events show that they aren’t very liberal in regards to gaming.
This doesn’t give us much hope that the Tar Heel State will legalize Internet
Grand falls casino spa menu. gambling any time soon. North Carolina has conservative values, and there’s no
real push for online casino games and poker.
Grand falls casino spa menu. gambling any time soon. North Carolina has conservative values, and there’s no
real push for online casino games and poker.
One promising aspect is that daily fantasy sports legislation has been
introduced in the State Legislature. We have no idea if HB 279 will go anywhere,
but it’s at least progress.
introduced in the State Legislature. We have no idea if HB 279 will go anywhere,
but it’s at least progress.
Odds are that North Carolina and other Bible Belt states will be among the
last to seriously consider Internet poker and casino games.
last to seriously consider Internet poker and casino games.
The good news is that state residents and visitors have more than enough
offshore gaming sites to keep themselves busy until then.
offshore gaming sites to keep themselves busy until then.
- Bingo (1945), Cherokee Casino (1997), Lottery (2005)
- $506 million
- $1.85 billion
- 18 for lottery, 21 for casinos, no minimum for bingo and raffles
- North Carolina bans smoking in all indoor business. It does not apply to Cherokee’s casinos.
- No forms are legal
North Carolina gambling is almost non-existent. There are two North Carolina casinos located in the Smoky Mountains. Each resort is on land belonging to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The original Harrah’s Cherokee casino only offered slots that required skill, video poker, and electronic table games. Harrah’s Cherokee casino expanded into a massive resort with full table games in August 2012. The Cherokee Indians put a plot of land into trust near Murphy. A North Carolina casino opened on that property on September 2015. The casino is much smaller than the sprawling resort in Cherokee.
There are only two other forms of gambling that are legal in North Carolina. Charities may offer bingo and raffles with limitations on frequency and prize values. There is also a state lottery.
There were times that gas stations and bars offered video poker. Those games were phased out in 2006. Sweepstakes machines that resembled video poker and slots appeared for years after that. Those devices were eventually banned under state law.
Paying Gambling Taxes in North Carolina
Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.
![Is internet gambling legal in south carolina Is internet gambling legal in south carolina](/uploads/1/3/6/7/136725349/670254634.jpg)
North Carolina Casinos Map & Guide
- Harrah’s Cherokee
- Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
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Types of North Carolina Online Gambling Allowed
There are no forms of legal online gambling in North Carolina. Online poker, casino and sports betting sites that accept North Carolina players are not licensed.
Daily fantasy sites accept players from North Carolina. The assertion by these companies is that the contests are skilled games and not gambling. While many other states have declared otherwise, North Carolina officials have not done so. DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo!, and CBS Sports are the major daily fantasy sports sites that accept players from North Carolina.
Types of Live North Carolina Gambling
- Slots: Yes
- Blackjack: Yes
- Poker: Yes
- Craps/Roulette: Yes
- Horses: No
- Lottery: Yes
There are three types of live gambling in North Carolina. The most exciting type are the North Carolina casinos, Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. Both of these North Carolina casinos offer a full range of casino games like slots, video poker, electronic poker tables, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride and baccarat. Harrah’s Cherokee also has a big poker room. These are the only two casinos in North Carolina where these games are legal.
Players on the east side of the state will find riverboat casinos that leave the Little River Inlet. These are just across the state line in South Carolina. The same games are offered on these North Carolina casino boats.
There is a state lottery in North Carolina. Scratch-off and lotto tickets are sold at thousands of convenience stores throughout the state. Games include interstate drawings like Powerball and Mega Millions.
Charities, which include senior, educational, religious, fraternal and veterans organizations, may offer bingo and raffle games. These types of games have very low limits in terms of stakes.
North Carolina Gambling Laws
North Carolina gambling laws had two clashes with gray area gambling. State law addresses these issues and others. Video poker found its way through the back door in the 1990’s. The state finally banned these games not long after the state lottery launched. Possession of any video poker device in North Carolina is a misdemeanor. Repeat offenders or those caught in possession of five or more machines commit a felony.
Creative operators rolled out sweepstakes machines in an attempt to replace video poker revenue. The state outlawed these devices. The operation of a sweepstakes café where players enjoy games that mimic slots, and video poker is a misdemeanor.
The North Carolina Lotteryis only permitted to sell scratch-off tickets and hold lotto drawings. These sales may only occur at retailers and not over the Internet.
Charity Gambling Laws
Charities may only spread bingo twice per week. Prizes may not exceed $500. Raffles may be operated twice per year. The maximum cash prize is $10,000. The maximum non-cash prize is $50,000. Small stakes bingo with prizes under $10 is legal for anybody to operate. This is considered to be a social game. Alea casino glasgow poker.
North Carolina casinos may only be operated on Cherokee tribe land. Electronic games must require skill unless they fall under a raffle or bingo format. Some slots use a lock and roll format, meaning that a player holds reels and re-spins. Keno game must use a double up feature; the game will drop 10 numbers and ask the player if they would like to double their bet.
The minimum gambling age in North Carolina is 18 years for lottery and charity gaming. North Carolina casino minimum gambling age is 21 years. There is no minimum gambling age for charity and social gaming players.
List of North Carolina Casinos
There are only two North Carolina casinos that are only allowed to be operated by the Cherokee tribe. There are other gambling venues that are used for lottery and charity casino events.
North Carolina Cherokee Casinos
Harrah’s Cherokee is a massive resort. It is located in Cherokee, which is west of Asheville and south of Maggie Valley. There are more than 150,000 square feet of casino space and 1,100 hotel rooms. Games include slots, video poker, live poker, electronic table games, electronic poker tables, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride and baccarat.
The second Cherokee casino called Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River opened near Murphy in 2015. The same games are offered at this casino as the main one in Cherokee. The only difference is that it is on a smaller scale. Harrah’s Thunder Valley River is about one hour closer to most parts of Atlanta, the largest market served by North Carolina casinos.
There is a high-stakes bingo hall on the Cherokee Reservation. Below you will find a list of North Carolina casinos with their location and contact information. Use our North Carolina casinos map to better help locate these popular gambling venues.
Casino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee | 3,500 Slot Machines | 777 Casino Dr. | www.caesars.com |
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino – Murphy | 1,000 Slot Machines | 777 Casino Pkwy | www.caesars.com |
Cherokee Tribal Bingo – Cherokee | Only Bingo | 91 Bingo Loop Rd. | www.cherokeetribalbingo.net |
The only other options for gambling in North Carolina are on a much smaller level. Lottery tickets may be purchased at gas stations throughout the state. There are dozens of bingo parlors in North Carolina. These can operate no more than twice a week.
History of North Carolina Gambling
All forms of gambling were illegal in North Carolina until 1945. That is when the state legalized bingo and raffles for charities. Video poker infiltrated the state in the 1990’s. That is around the same time it became a major industry in South Carolina.
The state legislature tried to address some of the video poker problems in 2000 when South Carolina banned video poker. That is when a moratorium on new machines entering the state was created.
Some operators avoided this by simply transferring serial numbers from one device that failed to a new one. The 2000 law also capped the number of machines to three per establishment. Some operators decided to build video malls full of three machine-rooms. There was also a limit of $10 in prizes. Cash could not be paid. Many operators ignored this law altogether. It was obvious in some establishments because the machines took bills up to $20. Clearly, nobody would pay $20 to win a maximum of $10.
Video poker had to be incidental to a business. Many North Carolina video poker establishments were tobacco shops or small convenience stores. A majority of the money still came from gambling.
Enforcement of video poker laws varied from one county to another. It was up to the sheriff. Paying cash on video poker was only a misdemeanor. It was hardly a deterrent to illegal video poker facilities. Few were busted. Hardly anybody served jail time.
The state legislature had enough of this. It attempted for years to outlaw the games. Video poker operators lobbied heavily and donated to many political campaigns. Voters approved a state lottery in 2005. The following year, the North Carolina Legislature decided to phase out video poker. Businesses were forced to drop to two machines on October 1, 2006. In March 2007, the machines had to drop to one in any business. By July 1, 2007, all machines were forced to go dark. Most businesses unplugged the games once the requirement dropped to one. The courts upheld multiple challenges to the video poker ban.
Creative video poker operators decided to launch sweepstakes cafes. These were internet cafes that spread slots and video poker. Players would buy computer time and get to play free games where money could be won. The legal theory behind the games was that players were not paying to enter the games, they were paying for computer time.
The games first appeared in 2007. The state legislature outlawed them in 2010. The sweepstakes cafes challenged the ban and were permitted to remain in operation while it worked its way through the courts. The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the ban in 2013. Not satisfied with that ruling, the sweepstakes industry appealed to the N.C. Court of Appeals and lost again.
It was up to local law enforcement to contact owners and demand closure. This caused machines to linger well into 2015 as some sheriff departments were less motivated than others.
Native American Casinos
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians negotiated a gaming pact with the state in 1994. High stakes real money bingo with video poker opened in a temporary facility in 1995. Harrah’s Cherokee held its grand opening in August 1997. The games were all slots that required skill, video poker, keno that required skill and electronic table games. A new gaming compact in 2013 permitted live table games to be spread at the two North Carolina casinos. That is when craps, roulette and house-banked table games were rolled out at Harrah’s Cherokee. The poker room maintained its PokerPro electronic tables until 2014. That is when some live tables were installed for higher limit games and World Series of Poker circuit events. The hybrid room remains today.
Harrah’s Cherokee was dry for the first 16 years of its existence. No alcohol was sold. Tribal members approved the sale of alcohol in 2009. It began to pour in 2010. Harrah’s Cherokee and Thunder Valley River do not comp drinks to players.
The Cherokee Indians were able to place land near Murphy into a trust. This permitted it to obtain a second gaming compact for a casino. It is called Harrah’s Thunder River Valley River. It opened in September 2015. The same games are spread at Harrah’s Thunder River Valley River as Harrah’s Cherokee. It is just smaller than the main resort. The two casinos are about one hour apart.
The only other form of gambling in North Carolina is a state lottery. It passed the state legislature on August 31, 2005. It required a tie-breaking vote from Lt. Gov. Bev Purdue in the state senate. Two state senators that were opposed to the lottery were absent. The first lottery ticket was sold on November 29, 2006.
North Carolina Casinos & Gambling FAQ
What is the minimum gambling age in North Carolina?
The minimum North Carolina gambling age is 21 years for casino players, 18 years for lottery players, and there is no minimum gambling age for bingo or raffles.
Harrah’s and its sister casino Harrah’s Thunder Valley River offer slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and house-banked card games.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Nc
Harrah’s Cherokee offers a live poker room. Some tables are electronic. Those are used for lower stake games.
Does Harrah’s Thunder Valley River have a poker room?
How far apart are Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Thunder River Valley?
The two casinos are just over one hour apart. Kewadin casino st. ignace michigan. The distance is 56 miles.
Yes. It sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Nc
No.
There are no forms of online gambling that are legal in the state.
Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in North Carolina?
The law is silent on the issue. The sites claim to be skill contests and not gambling.
What daily fantasy sites accept North Carolina players?
DraftKings, FanDuel, CBS Sports and Yahoo! are the largest sites that accept North Carolina daily fantasy sports players.
No. It was outlawed in 2006. The last legal machines were unplugged by July 1, 2007.
No. The North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals upheld the 2010 ban initiated by the state legislature.
Harrah’s Thunder River Valley is the closest casino to Atlanta. It is about two hours away.