The Best North Carolina Online Casinos 2024

Finding North Carolina online casinos comes with challenges because the Tar Heel State takes a strict approach and does not permit legal casino gambling. Instead, you’ll need to embrace social and sweeps casinos, which allow you to play for free or by purchasing coins. On the page below, we will explain the online casino situation in NC and detail the best social casinos currently available.

Best Online Casinos in North Carolina

How We Rate North Carolina Casino Sites

With an ‘Excellent’ 4.9/5 TrustPilot rating, we’ve been providing expert recommendations since 2004. Each casino we review is carefully evaluated according to eight essential factors:

  • Safety & Security
  • Payout Speed
  • Banking Options
  • Software Quality
  • Game Variety
  • Bonus Offers
  • Mobile Compatability
  • Customer Service

Read more about our eight-step review process


Online Casino Blacklist

Some online casinos fail our testing standards to such a degree that we feel it necessary to publish them on our blacklist. An online casino can make it onto this list for a variety of reasons but typically means the casino has exhibited a history of bad behavior and receives lots of player complaints. Avoid any site we’ve listed on our casino blacklist.
Multiple barriers exist on site with the intention of obstructing your ability to retrieve your bonus; intentionally perplexing terms and conditions are deliberately confusing and customer support takes on an aggressive approach.
The use of a budget software provider by Lake Palace is evident in its performance. On top of this there are many problems related to payments: it does not support Neteller payments and refrains from processing withdrawals during Friday to Sunday. Additionally, there have been instances where the casino failed to compensate affiliates and advertisers when transitioning between regulators.
At Fenix Casino, it appears that bigger withdrawal requests undergo a prolonged processing period, and any accumulated bonuses are seized unless cashed out within 45 days.

Best Online Casinos in North Carolina 2024

If you’re looking for the best North Carolina online casinos, you might want to check out the sweeps/social category. These casinos let you play for fun and potentially win real cash prizes without breaking state laws. Below are our top North Carolina online casino sites currently available:

Wow Vegas

Wow Vegas is a stunning social casino that was launched in 2022 by WOW Entertainment Limited. It’s available in most US states except for Nevada, Idaho, and Washington. North Carolina online casino players can enjoy over 300 slot games from leading providers like Pragmatic Play alongside some basic table games like blackjack and roulette.

You can play with WOW Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, which you can purchase or claim through various promotions and contests, such as daily login coins. Wow Vegas Casino supports many payment options, such as Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Apple Pay, and American Express. You can use them to buy more WOW Coins or cash out your Sweepstakes Coins.

Pulsz

Pulsz Casino is a great option for North Carolina online casino fans that uses a sweeps model. You can earn Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins through different offers and promos. You can also connect to the site directly on Facebook to see all the latest deals and bonuses, such as the daily-log in reward.

Pulsz Casino gives you cash prizes for playing games, where one Sweeps Coin is worth $1. You can use Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, or American Express to buy coins or exchange your winnings for prizes. However, you need to have at least 100 Sweeps Coins to redeem them. Pulsz has an impressive game selection, with over 300 slots and casino games from top brands like NetEnt, Habanero, and Pragmatic Play.

Stake

Stake.us is a unique social casino that caters to crypto enthusiasts. It only accepts cryptocurrencies as a payment method, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. You can use them to buy Gold Coins or exchange your Sweeps Coins for real-life prizes.

Stake.us Casino follows the standard social casino concept, where you can play for free with Sweeps Coins from contests and promos or by buying Gold Coins. The sweeps site has a fantastic game library, with over 300 slots from NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and others. It also has generous promos, including welcome packages that give you free Sweeps coins and hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins.

Gambino

Gambino Slots Casino is a fun and free North Carolina sweepstakes casino that you can play via your desktop, mobile browser, or through the dedicated app. You can play on Windows, iOS, Android, or Facebook with the same account. The site boasts nearly 200 games you can play with virtual G-Coins that you can buy with real money or get for free from the casino. Gambino Slots is not a real-money casino, so you don’t have to worry about licenses or tests.

The casino is powered by Spiral Interactive and has been around since 2015. When you join Gambino Slots, you get a huge welcome bonus of 200 Free Spins and 100,000 G-Coins. Gaby, the AI hostess, will help you register, claim promotions, and show you how to start playing. As a loyal player at Gambino Slots Casino, you can also grab more free spins and G-Coins.

GoldenHeartGames

Golden Hearts Games is a social casino that lets you win cash prizes and support charities at the same time. You can donate to your favorite causes and get free sweeps coins to play games like slots, video poker, blackjack, and bingo. You can also win up to $2,500 in cash from each game and withdraw your winnings easily.

Similarly, Golden Hearts Games Casino offers live bingo games every 10-15 minutes, making it a great choice for bingo lovers. You can get a 100% purchase match bonus when you buy coins, with no wagering requirement or promo code needed. Golden Hearts Games is a safe, licensed, and trustworthy social casino that allows you to claim coins through promos and continue purchasing through methods such as PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, and other options.

Fortune Coins

Fortune Coins is a social casino that lets you play online slots and casino games for fun without risking any real money. It is operated by Social Gaming LLC, a Canadian company that uses a purchase and sweepstakes model. You can buy Gold Coins or get free Fortune Coins (sweeps) from the casino to play about 50 high-quality slot games.

Also, Fortune Coins Casino has a generous welcome bonus and regular promotions that let you get more free sweeps coins. You can play on any device and enjoy a safe and secure gaming experience. Remember, Fortune Coins is not a real-money casino, so you can’t win or withdraw anything. However, you can still have plenty of fun spinning the reels of thrilling online slot games.

BetRivers.net

BetRivers.net is a social casino/sportsbook that comes from the iconic BetRivers brand, one of the US’ leading real money sports betting and casino operators. However, the social version is different and does not involve real money gambling. Instead, using Virtual Credits, you can play hundreds of games from over 20 software providers, such as NetEnt, BetSoft, and Pragmatic Play.

Plus, claiming Virtual Credits is easy! You can claim them for free through promos or by buying them on payment services such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, or PayPal. BetRivers.net often confuses casino players because of its similarity to the real money site, but it is a separate entity that offers a fun and free gaming experience.

Pulsz Bingo

Pulsz Bingo is a sister site of Pulsz social casino that focuses on sweeps online bingo for players in NC. It uses the same Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins model as the social casino, where you can get free coins when you sign up or buy more with payment platforms such as Mastercard and Visa. You can also find more ways to get free coins on the site’s social media pages.

Pulsz Bingo has six bingo rooms to choose from, covering 90-ball and 75-ball variants. But that’s not all. North Carolina online casino players can access over 180 slots and other casino games from top providers like NetEnt and Habanero.

McLuck

McLuck is a North Carolina online casino available for free within the state. It uses the Gold Coins/Sweeps Coins concept that allows you to buy Gold Coins or get Sweeps Coins through bonuses and offers. You can use Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and other popular payment methods to buy Gold Coins or exchange your Sweeps Coins for prizes.

McLuck Casino has over 300 slots and other games from major names like Pragmatic Play and other providers. Plus, the selection of slots covers many different genres and mechanics, including the popular Megaways games.


Best Online Casino Bonuses In North Carolina

Becoming a part of the best North Carolina online casinos can bring massive rewards thanks to bonuses and promotions. Before you claim the best deals, you’ll need to know what to look for and expect from casino offers. There are plenty of different casino bonus types to choose from, including the following popular options:

  1. Welcome Bonus: All social/sweeps casinos have a welcome package, which serves to attract new players to the casino. You’ll need coins to play casino games, so the welcome bonus is a lucrative boost that can get you playing faster. Most packages consist of free Gold Coins and free Sweeps Coins.

  2. No Deposit Bonus: One of the best things about social casinos is that you can play casino games without ever needing to spend your own cash. No deposit bonuses are widely available at the best North Carolina online casino sites, allowing you to claim a generous reward without risking your bankroll.

  3. Free Spins: As their name implies, free spins give you free slot stakes on specific games chosen by North Carolina online casinos. Social and sweepstakes casinos in the state give you many ways to play for free by acquiring Gold Coins. Therefore, you will have plenty of free spins opportunities each week.

  4. Refer-a-Friend: Loyalty is super important at NC online casinos. In fact, many sites will reward you if your spread the word. Refer-a-friend promotions are common and will provide you with a bonus if you recommend the casino to a friend, who then registers and starts playing.


Are Online Casinos Legal in North Carolina

Few states are as aggressively strict against online gambling as North Carolina. In the Tar Heel State, online gambling in all its forms – both for casinos and sports betting – is illegal. While many other states have been creating laws for casino sites, North Carolina continues to hold out and maintain its strict approach.

However, a small glimpse of hope is coming in 2024 as state lawmakers finally embrace online sportsbooks. Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill in June 2023 to legalize online sports betting in the state, with a launch likely in 2024. Will legal online casinos in North Carolina see the same fate? Only time will tell, but it’s unlikely to see online casino gambling regulations any time soon.


Sweepstakes Casinos in North Carolina

In terms of North Carolina online casinos, the state remains unmoved, despite the adoption of legal online sportsbooks. However, there is good news for residents in the Tar Heel State as social/sweeps casinos are permitted. A sweepstakes casino allows you to play casino-style games without any real money involved. Real money online casinos require you to gamble your own cash to win. At free sweeps casinos, you receive gold coins that you can spend on games or contests.

If you win playing games, you receive more coins to play more. Free sweepstakes online are not gambling because the gold coins/tokens are worthless. Therefore, when you play games, you are not staking or estimating anything for the outcome. However, you can swap sweeps coins for other credits that you can then exchange for real-life rewards. You can play for free and win prizes at sweepstakes casinos, but you can also purchase more coins to play more.


The Future of Online Casinos in North Carolina

Despite North Carolina’s breakthrough bill to allow the introduction of online sports betting in 2024, lawmakers in the state are not pursuing similar legislation for online casinos. Politicians remain clear that embracing casino gambling online casinos is something that is not on the agenda. That means it could be years until the situation changes, leaving social casinos as the online in-state options for NC residents.


Facts About Gambling in North Carolina

  • North Carolina does not currently allow online casino gambling.
  • In June 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill to allow online sports betting in the state.
  • The first online sportsbooks are expected to receive licenses in 2024.
  • There are currently three tribal casinos in the NC: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino in Murphy, and Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain.
  • North Carolina does permit social/sweeps casinos, allowing residents to play free casino games.

Popular Casino Games in North Carolina

When you browse the social North Carolina online casinos we recommend, you will have a full selection of games to choose from. Just because these are free sweeps casinos, you do not need to compromise. Each brand has a diverse collection of popular casino games, including:

  • Slots: You can spin the reels on hundreds of slot games, which are the most common and popular games on social casinos. Online slot machines involve reels spinning to provide random symbol combinations. Hitting certain combos will determine if you have won or not.
  • Blackjack: A skill-based card game, blackjack will see you compete against the dealer/computer as you aim to achieve as close to 21 as possible without going over. You will win the game if your hand value is higher than the dealer’s.
  • Bingo: While not available at all North Carolina online casino sites, some social brands do offer bingo games, such as Pulsz Bingo and GoldenHeartGames. As the numbers are called, can you fill out your bingo card before everyone else?
  • Roulette: Watch the roulette wheel spin, and the metal ball rest in a pocket. Have you chosen a winning number or pattern? Roulette is elegant, simple to learn, and comes in many variants, such as European, American, and French.
  • Scratchcards: Sometimes, being able to win additional Sweeps Coins in an instant is something players want to do. Scratchcards are perfect for this as they require almost no gameplay and can provide quick outcomes.
  • Baccarat: This classic casino card game is super simple to pick up, but it can still be exciting! Decide whether to bet the Banker, the Player, or a Tie before the dealer deals the cards. Baccarat also has a generous house edge.

Land-Based Casinos in North Carolina

Despite its blanket ban on online real money casinos, North Carolina does have a small number of land-based casinos that are operated by First Nations groups, including:

Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort

  • Address: 38 Kings Mountain Boulevard, Kings Mountain, North Carolina
  • Contact Details:

Located 35 miles outside of Charlotte, Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort boasts a 30,000-square-foot gaming floor. Despite only opening in 2021, the land-based casino already features over 950 slot machines and more than 40 table game machines covering blackjack, roulette, and craps. Sports betting fans can wager at 30 kiosks on site.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino

In Cherokee, Harrah’s has a casino hotel that is operated by Caesars Entertainment. With a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor, Harrah’s Cherokee is a premier casino destination in the Tar Heel State. There are 3,000+ slot machines and a collection of traditional tables for blackjack, roulette, craps, and more.

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel

In Murphy, Harrah’s Cherokee has another location that offers a more modest 50,000-square-foot gaming experience. Even so, there are over 1,000 slots and video poker machines alongside standard tables for blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat.


Responsible Gambling in North Carolina

North Carolina has adopted a strict policy on gambling, thinking that banning online casinos is the best way to protect customers. However, the state is also active in helping players who may have issues with gambling, whether sports betting, social casinos, or online casinos from outside the state.

Remember, it is vital to only gamble with funds that you can spare to lose. Your budget should be extra income, and once your bankroll is empty, you should stop. If you think you have a problem with gambling, the following NC resources can help:

  • North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline: 877-718-5543
  • North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling: 1.800.522.4700

FAQs

Can I play online casinos in North Carolina? 

Yes, but only social North Carolina online casinos. These sites allow you to play casino games without gambling by using purchasable Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins acquired through contests and promotions.

When will online casinos be legal in North Carolina? 

Possibly never, but at least not for many years. North Carolina has taken a strict approach to online casinos and currently has no intention of creating legislation to license casino sites. However, the state has green-lit online sports betting for a launch in 2024.

Is it safe to play online casinos in North Carolina? 

Of course, it is, but only if you choose a reputable social casino. Our team has found the best sweeps casinos available to NC customers, each passing our strict safety, privacy, and security tests. Therefore, this means you can choose in confidence and find the ideal site for your individual needs.

What’s the legal gambling age in North Carolina? 

You must be 21+ to bet on sports or gamble at land-based casinos in North Carolina. This legal gambling age applies whether you are gambling online or at a physical location.

Who regulates gambling and casinos in North Carolina?

The Tribal Gaming Commission for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians oversees land-based casinos in North Carolina, while the North Carolina Education Lottery regulates sports betting in the state.