North Carolina was at the forefront of the United States in March 2024 when it made history by being the first to offer mobile sports betting legally and it certainly made an impact. On the day of its launch, there were eight different sportsbooks which were also the first to be licensed; this created one of the largest competitive markets ever seen on the launch day of any U.S. State. Two years later after the original excitement faded, what remained as a result of the initial launch, was a working and large volume sportsbook producing significant tax dollars and attracting new investments from operators, while continuing to build support within the political community for the expansion of gaming in North Carolina.

Sports Betting: Two Years In, the Numbers Are In

NC’s online sports betting industry has reached maturity much quicker than most people anticipated. In terms of total monthly handle figures, North Carolina has been one of the top ten U.S. states for sports betting volume (in a very short time) – especially impressive considering that prior to their official start-up date there were no retail sportsbooks open in NC; therefore, the new entrants into this space had to generate consumer awareness through other means such as social media and digital advertising.

As of February 2026, here are some key NC sports betting metrics:

• North Carolina has now exceeded eight billion dollars ($8 Billion) in cumulative handle from its inception in March of 2024
• The tax revenue generated for the state, based on those eight billion dollars in cumulative handle, is well over two hundred million dollars ($200 Million); which will be allocated to education, youth sports, and funding initiatives to address problem gaming
• There are currently seven active licensed operators operating within the NC market: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Hard Rock BET
• FanDuel and DraftKings operate about 65-70 percent of all wagers made in the NC sports betting marketplace

Although North Carolina does restrict wagering on prop bets related to in-state colleges, this has created controversy from time-to-time; however, it appears this restriction has not limited the overall amount of money being bet in the marketplace. Given that the NCAA is headquartered in Charlotte and there are four major Division I collegiate basketball programs located within the state (UNC, Duke, NC State & Wake Forest), fans continue to enthusiastically engage in the process of making sports-related wagers.

The iGaming Question

The most recent time (in 2021) that an online casino gambling legalization effort was made in North Carolina, no such bill was passed and no authorization bill ever went before a North Carolina General Assembly Committee. However, conversations about online casino gambling are now moving from speculative to realistic. Advocates of legalized iGaming can now use real-world data from the success of legalized sports wagering to support their claims. Data collected by states with regulated online casinos shows that they generate significant amounts of money for the states and do not cause the societal problems that some critics have argued will occur.

Legislators and representatives of various industries involved in iGaming engaged in informal talks throughout late 2025 and early 2026. If a proposed North Carolina iGaming regulatory structure emerges, its components may include the following elements:

• Operator licenses granted only to those entities already licensed for sports wagering operations. This model will provide regulators with control over who is initially licensed for iGaming activities and limit the number of applicants.
• A GGR tax rate within the 18-25 percent bracket. Regulators can look at similar rates established in Michigan and Pennsylvania for a good reference point. A higher GGR tax rate like that found in New York (51%) may be too high for a new jurisdiction looking to establish itself as a viable competitor in the U.S. online casino marketplace.
• Some form of tribal carve-out or revenue-sharing arrangement for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These Native American tribes operate two Harrah’s Cherokee-branded land-based casinos in western North Carolina, which is the only region where land-based casino-style gaming is allowed in the state. It would be prudent for regulators to recognize these tribes’ long-standing presence and contributions to local economies when establishing an iGaming regulatory structure.
• Provisions requiring responsible gaming practices. These practices could include setting deposit limits upon registration; providing reality checks for players; integrating iGaming platforms with a national self-exclusion database, etc.

Casino Landscape: Cherokee and the Catawba Question

The overall landscape for North Carolina’s casinos on land is characterized by two competing brands at vastly different points in their development.

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy, both owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, are well capitalized with an established presence as destinations for the region’s gamblers. With the two Cherokee locations being the only ones in the state offering slots, tables, and poker, the Tribe enjoys exclusive control of this business segment in the future. Thus, when discussing the potential of i-gaming within the state, they hold significant bargaining power.

Two Kings Casino, located in Kings Mountain, has taken a much longer route and has been met with many obstacles along the way. Years of disputes over federal recognition and legal battles brought forward by the Cherokee Nation delayed approval. Final federal approvals have now been issued and construction is underway. It is anticipated that Two Kings Casino will begin accepting customers either late 2026 or early 2027. This will mark the first time since the last addition to casino gaming in North Carolina that there will be a brand-new casino. As such, it is likely to be a major focus point for lawmakers considering whether the State should expand into other forms of gaming due to consumer demand.

What NC Players Can Expect in 2026

North Carolina’s short-term future looks like this – stable, but unchanging. Legalized sports betting is established and has a lot of competition among regulated companies. Most companies have invested in improving their apps, creating local promotional events and creating content specific to NC. Players can easily switch from one product or company to another because there are no barriers to switching and many competing options. There is currently no legal option for online casino gaming in the State of North Carolina; therefore, players will continue to access these products through offshore companies similar to those available throughout the U.S.

The realistic time frame to legalize iGaming in North Carolina is likely sometime around 2027, and only if the growing trend toward legalization of iGaming at the federal level becomes popular enough within the legislature of each state.