North Carolina is home to several legal gaming options. There are three casinos. All offer slots, sports betting, and electronic table games. The two Harrah’s Cherokee properties also have video poker and live table games. The main Harrah’s Cherokee also has a live poker room. A poker room is under development at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River.
Other forms of legal gambling in North Carolina include daily fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and a state lottery. Off-track betting on horses is legal at tribal casinos. However, none offer this form of wagering. Online sports betting launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024.
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NC Tribal casinos
There are three casinos in North Carolina. Two belong to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. One is located in Cherokee. The other is an hour west of that near Murphy. The third casino belongs to the Catawba Nation. It is located just southwest of Charlotte. While tribal casinos in North Carolina may permit smoking, all are nonsmoking, except for a smoking room with 200 machines at Harrah’s Cherokee. Guests must be at least 21 years old to enter the casino floor.
Harrah’s Cherokee – 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC
North Carolina was the first state in its region to open a casino. It all started with a video poker parlor on the Cherokee Reservation in the Smoky Mountains an hour west of Asheville. This property was developed into Harrah’s Cherokee. Today, it is a massive resort with hotel towers, restaurants, table games, slots, poker, a sportsbook, a concert venue, and a bowling alley.
Table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Mississippi Stud. Some table games are electronic.





Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River – 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC
The second casino in North Carolina was built near Murphy. That is about an hour west of Cherokee. It is called Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. It is a much smaller version of the main Harrah’s Cherokee casino.
Players will find most of the gaming at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River which is also available at the main property. However, the amenities are limited to one full-service restaurant, a food court, a small hotel, and a bowling alley with an arcade.
Table games at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River include blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Mississippi Stud. There is a pit, high-limit blackjack, and electronic table games.






Catawba Two Kings – 538 Kings Mountain Blvd, Kings Mountain, NC
A third North Carolina casino opened in 2021. It is located southwest of Charlotte. It is the Catawba Two Kings Casino. It has about 1,000 slot machines. There are no table games or video poker machines at Catawba Two Kings Casino. There are 46 electronic table games that include craps, roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. Live table games are expected to arrive in 2024.
North Carolina video poker and sweepstakes industry
North Carolina has been the home to a questionably legal video poker and sweepstakes industry for decades. More than 15 years ago, North Carolina businesses could operate up to three video poker machines, except on Sundays, when the games had to be turned off. The top prize was $10. It could not be in cash. Many North Carolina video poker operators ignored these rules.
In 2006, the state legislature banned video poker, except on tribal land. This was done to help protect the new North Carolina Lottery. The state’s video poker operators were required to drop from three machines to two within a year, from two to one the next year, and remove the last machine a year after that.
The North Carolina video poker industry responded with creativity. After lawsuits with mixed results, sweepstakes games were invented. Players bought internet time and had sweepstakes tied to these that played like video poker and slots.
North Carolina repeatedly tried to ban these games. When that happened, a new loophole or lawsuit would be created. To this day, there are still some sweepstakes machines in internet cafes, gas stations, and bars in North Carolina. Sweepstakes games are also available online.
North Carolina poker rooms
There are two legal poker rooms in North Carolina. One is at Harrah’s Cherokee. It is a stop on the World Series of Poker Circuit. There are 32 tables at Harrah’s Cherokee poker room. All tables have eight seats. It is open from 10am to 6am daily. The main cash games are no-limit Texas hold’em and pot-limit Omaha. There is one daily tournament Sunday through Friday.
The other poker room is at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. It has 10 tables. Cards go in the air at 10am daily. The Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River poker room goes dark at 2am on weeknights and 4am on weekends. It deals two tournaments each week.
Sports betting in NC
There are three legal sportsbooks in North Carolina. One is available at Harrah’s Cherokee. Another is at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River. Both are operated by Caesars Sportsbook. Catawba Two Kings offers sports betting kiosks.
Bets may be made on a variety of sports like football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, as well as golf, tennis, auto racing, mixed martial arts, and boxing. Straight bets, parlays, teasers, props, in-game, and futures bets are available. Professional and college sports are on the betting menu at all three sportsbooks in NC.
NC mobile sports betting sites launched for statewide action on March 11, 2024. There are eight operators in the state:
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Underdog Sports
NC state lottery
The North Carolina Lottery was legalized through the legislative process in August 2005. The first lottery tickets were sold in 2006. It was the last state on the East Coast to legalize a state lottery.
There are several games available through the North Carolina Lottery. These include instant games like scratch-off tickets, lotto drawings, and keno. Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age.
The North Carolina Lottery offers more than 60 instant games. Scratch-off prices run from $1 to $30. Lotto drawings like Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash 5, Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky For Life are available to play. There is a keno drawing every four minutes.
Charitable gaming in North Carolina
Registered charities may offer small-stakes gaming for fundraising purposes. Approved games include bingo and raffles.
US Casino Advantage blog posts about North Carolina
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Catwaba Two Kings Casino Launches Live Table Games
Catawba Two Kings Casino in North Carolina now deals live table games. The options include baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker pit games.
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Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Poker Room Opens
The Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River poker room opened on May 22, 2024. It deals Texas hold’em and Omaha cash games. Tournaments start on July 1, 2024.
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Live Table Games Coming to Catawba Two Kings This Spring
Catawba Two Kings in North Carolina will soon offer live table games. The launch date is likely in Spring 2024. Read about the games that will be available.
North Carolina Gambling FAQs
Are casinos legal in North Carolina?
Yes. Casinos are permitted on tribal land in North Carolina.
What is the minimum age to gamble in North Carolina casinos?
Players must be at least 21 years of age to gamble in North Carolina casinos.
What types of games will you find in North Carolina casinos?
Players will find slots, video poker, video keno, electronic table games, and sports betting at North Carolina casinos. Both Harrah’s properties also deal live table games.
Can I play live poker in North Carolina?
Yes. There is a live poker room at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina.
Can I bet on sports in North Carolina?
Yes. However, only retail sports betting is permitted. That will change when mobile sports betting launches on March 11, 2024.
Where can I bet on sports in North Carolina?
Sports wagers are accepted at Harrah’s Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, and Catawba Two Kings.
Is mobile sports betting legal in North Carolina?
Bets can only be placed in person at Harrah’s Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, and Catawba Two Kings until March 11, 2024.
Does North Carolina have a state lottery?
Yes. Lottery games in North Carolina include lotto drawings, scratch tickets, and Keno.
How old must you be to play lotto games in North Carolina?
Players must be at least 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets.
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Last Updated on November 9, 2024 by John Mehaffey