The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are the owners of the two tribal casinos in the state, branded by Harrah’s. On the basis of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, Native American tribes can push for tribal casinos. Still, in a conservative state like North Carolina, it is a battle to negotiate any agreements in favor of gambling. Up until 2012, slots and electronic poker were the only legal casino games, a stark contrast to states such as New Hampshire and New Jersey, where electronic gaming machines are not favored. Because Harrah’s Cherokee casino was doing so well, politicians decided to augment state revenue a bit more by expanding the casino compact to include live dealer games such as live blackjack, roulette, and craps among others.
The casino also offers social gaming options through partnerships with Slotomania, Bingo Blitz, and Caesar’s Slots. Double Down Casino and Zynga provide free casino apps as well, but they are independently-run. For a more rewarding social casino experience, the MyVegas app by behemoth casino MGM lets you play and earn comp points that you can redeem for cash, discounts, vouchers, and other prizes.
Daily Fantasy Sports have neither an explicit authorization or an outright ban. Horse and dog racing are outlawed, and lawmakers show minimal interest regarding online casinos. On a positive note, sports fans have much to be happy about. North Carolina, in early 2019, finally passed a bill in favor of sports betting. It is limited and only allows the active tribal casinos to operate sportsbooks, but avid bettors wait eagerly for the launch.
The lottery was introduced relatively late in 2005. Nonetheless, it has been a major, if not the biggest source of the state’s gambling revenue. According to recent annual reports, the lottery pulled in $2.85 billion in sales against $1.84 billion in total payouts.
Non-profit organizations are allowed two charitable gambling events per week exclusively for bingo and raffles. Only a few parts of the state permit charitable enterprises to hold casino-style gaming nights.
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Interesting State Facts
Residents are often referred to as “Tarheels” because North Carolina is nicknamed the “Tar Heel State.” Historians are not sure, but a plausible explanation is that the name stems from its history as a leading producer of tar, pitch, and turpentine.
America’s biggest mansion, the Baltimore Estate, is in Asheville. It’s a 255 room abode built in the late 19th century. Tourists from across the globe visit to see its lush gardens, winery, and chateau-inspired architecture.
The state produces some of the finest woods and is branded the furniture capital of the world. Nearly 20% of real Christmas trees in the country are from the North Carolina Fraser Fir.
North Carolina Gambling Venues
While the Harrah’s casinos are large establishments spanning thousands of square miles, most residents will be in for a quite a drive when heading to the nearest one. The state capital, Raleigh, is 300 miles from Harrah’s Cherokee, and players in Charlotte have to drive 180 miles to arrive there.
The second casino opened in 2015 as Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel and holds 1000 slot machines as opposed to the 3500 available at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.
Harrah’s is thriving on its monopoly in the area and the lack of competition from neighboring states. Both facilities are near the Georgia state border, and Georgians are much more deprived of gambling opportunities due to strict legislation. Players from Atlanta contribute a considerable bulk of the gambling revenue in North Carolina. They are also the only venues for in-person gaming as there are no slot, bingo, or poker parlors nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Online casinos have not been legalized or regulated by the state. The laws governing land-type gambling in North Carolina is contained in Section 14 of the NC Code, online gambling is not covered at all under this law. So, players who use offshore websites are not committing any offense. Almost every offshore gambling site accepts wagers from North Carolina players.
No one has ever been arrested for online gambling in North Carolina. However, operating an online casino or a sweepstake café in North Carolina is a criminal offense, in fact, there have been reports of sweepstakes café operators being arrested for offering online games. So far you are just an online bettor, it is unlikely that you’ll be arrested by the authorities.
Online gambling is not regulated, prohibited, or banned in North Carolina. So players are permitted to play for real money on offshore sites. You can place your bets on any game of your choice, you only need your mobile device/ computer and an internet connection. The more you wager, the higher the chances that you’ll earn real money. It is important to understand each game before you decide to place your bets. Also, it is helpful to start betting with small amounts first.
The state is not exactly receptive to gamblers, however, there are numerous gaming options available to North Carolina residents. Charitable gambling and state-licensed lotteries are legal in the state. Also, there are two tribal casinos in the state. Simulcasting and pari-mutuel betting is illegal in the state, neither is there any state-sanctioned gaming website. Most of the online Casinos that accept North Carolina players offer a broad collection of games including slot machines, Fantasy League bets, casino games, table games, and bingo.
Sadly, no one knows. The state legislators haven’t shown any interest to legalize the online casino market. This is unusual since the state has the potential to gain millions of dollars in revenue if gambling is state-sanctioned. With the increasing rates at which many states in the US are legalizing internet gambling, it is expected that North Carolina would follow suit in due time.
