Casino In North Carolina

• Year North Carolina Regulated Gambling: Bingo (1945), Cherokee Casino (1997), Lottery (2005)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $506 million
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $1.85 billion
• North Carolina Gambling Age: 18 for lottery, 21 for casinos, no minimum for bingo and raffles
• Smoking ban: North Carolina bans smoking in all indoor business. It does not apply to Cherokee's casinos.
• North Carolina Online gambling: No forms are legal

Located in North Carolina, the Murphy Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel is a huge venue providing thrilling gaming, food outlets and entertainment. North Carolina Casinos Updates 2021. North Carolina has two operating Indian casinos and an Indian bingo hall. All three are owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. A new Indian casino resort at King's Mountain is under construction by the Catawba Indian Nation. The casino is named Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort and will open in the Spring 2021. The largest casino in North Carolina is Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort with 3,280 gaming machines. The second-largest, and only other casino in North Carolina, is Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel with 1,000 gaming machines. Commercial Casinos in North Carolina There are no commercial casinos in North Carolina. Catawba, North Carolina Finalize Class III Gaming Compact for Two Kings Casino. Posted on: January 23, 2021, 03:01h. Last updated on: January 24, 2021, 08:07h.

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.

North Carolina Casinos Map & Guide

• Harrah's Cherokee
• Harrah's Cherokee Valley River

• Number of B&M Casinos: 2
• Number of Poker Rooms: 1
• Number of Indian Casinos: 2

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Harrah's Cherokee offers a live poker room. Some tables are electronic. Those are used for lower stake games.

The two casinos are just over one hour apart. The distance is 56 miles.

Yes. It sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.

No.

There are no forms of online gambling that are legal in the state.

The law is silent on the issue. The sites claim to be skill contests and not gambling.

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.

Types of Casinos in North Carolina

In North Carolina there are two Native American casinos. Both of these Indian casinos are affiliated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Native Americans and both offer live tables games as well as electronic games, such as slot machines.

A third Indian casino is expected to open in late 2021, but it is subject to a series of legal challenges and the project may be halted.

Below is a list of the two North Carolina Indian casinos. Click on the name of a casino to see a page of detailed information about it.

• Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort – EXPECTED TO OPEN LATE 2021

Want to See a Map of all casinos in North Carolina?

Visit our North Carolina casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.

Details on Indian Casinos in North Carolina

Both casinos in North Carolina are open 24 hours and offer live blackjack, roulette, craps and video poker, as well as traditional slot machines. Some other games offered include: let it ride, mini-baccarat, Mississippi stud, poker, and three card poker.

There are no casinos in Charlotte, North Carolina, and there are no casinos in Raleigh, North Carolina. The closest casino to both of these popular cities would be Harrah's Cherokee which is more than 300 miles from Raleigh, NC and 180 miles from Charlotte, NC.

North Carolina Sports Betting

Legislation has been passed to allow legal sports betting in North Carolina. However, as of September, 2020, it had not yet been operational at any casinos. Be sure to check each individual casino's listing page to see when it offers sports betting.

Slot Machine Payback Percentages at North Carolina Indian Casinos

According to North Carolina gaming law, casinos are not required to release information on their electronic games payback percentages. Though, according to the terms of their compact with the state, their video machines are required to have a minimum return of 83%, and a maximum return of 98%.

While North Carolina Casinos are not legally required to release their slot machine payback statistics, many other states require the slot machine payback statistics for that particular state's casinos to be released to the public. Click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all U.S. casinos

Planning a visit to North Carolina casinos?

For more information on visiting the casinos in North Carolina, or for other general tourism information, call the state's division of travel & tourism at (800) 847-4862 or go to: www.visitnc.com

Also, be sure to download the FREE American Casino Guide app for your Apple or Android, smartphone or tablet. The app has maps to let you know which casinos are near you anywhere in the U.S., detailed information on each of those casinos, turn-by-turn directions to all casinos, plus much more! Casino royale 1967 trailer. For more details on the FREE app, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/casinos-near-me.html

Try an online casino for FREE! Use any of our great No Deposit Bonus Codes. No credit card needed, just sign up and start playing!

Save Money at the Casinos!

Want more information on all U.S. casinos? Then you need the most comprehensive and informative casino travel book on the market today! Published for over 27 years, the American Casino Guide Book contains details on all U.S. casino resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos. Plus it includes more than 180 casino coupons, offering you more than $1,000 in savings! For more information, or to buy the newest edition, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/shop

TOP THINGS TO DO IN NORTH CAROLINA

The state of North Carolina is a great destination for visitors at any time of the year as it offers theme parks, museums, iconic buildings, and year-round outdoor activities. You can visit mountains in the high country to go tubing,or skiing during the winter months, and you can go hiking when the weather warms up. The state also has a great history and is filled with many historical landmarks to explore. Some of the best things to do in North Carolina are listed below.

Explore the Biltmore Estate

This private home in Asheville is considered the largest private estate in the U.S. and a great place to visit while in North Carolina. Built between 1889 and 1895, the mansion can be found in the center of 8,000 acres of land. At over 150,000 square feet and 250 rooms, it is the largest privately owned home in the country. After you have explored the mansion, you can then stroll around the gardens and farm.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Go sightseeing at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

This center can be found at the University of North Carolina in the heart of Chapel Hill. This center has attracted over seven million guests since it was opened in 1949. It features over 15 temporary planetarium shows which include fun and educational topics like Galileo, black holes, and astronauts. There are also permanent exhibits in the center which feature topics like the history of the planetarium as a training center for astronauts. Some of the highlights of the planetarium are Water in Our World and Firsts in Flight.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Visit the USS North Carolina

This battleship joined the American fleet during World War II and was among the first 10 battleships to do so. This ship is well armed with about 29 guns in various shapes and sizes. The ship has now retired and you can explore it by taking a tour of the ship, including access to the officers' quarters and the mess hall. You can also head to the upper deck where you can get close to those powerful weapons.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Wander around Linville Gorge and Falls

This is the Grand Canyon of the East and it is the deepest and among the most panoramic gorges in the eastern U.S. It can be found in Pisgah National Forest and the Linville River passes through the gorge at Linville Falls which drop 90 feet. The gorge then continues for 12 miles around steep rock walls. You can gain access via the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 316 whre you can then explore it further on a 1.6-mile round-trip hike. You should also visit the Linville Falls Visitor Center which is close to the lovely Duggers Creek Falls. Some of the other nearby attractions that you can visit are: Crabtree Falls, Hawksbill Mountain, and Table Rock Mountain.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Go sightseeing at North Carolina Aquarium

Casino In North Carolina Laws

The aquarium has four coastal locations which are Fort Fisher, Roanoke Island, Jennette's Pier, and Pine Knoll Shores. Although Jennette's Pier cannot be considered an actual aquarium, it offers stunning views of marine animals, such as humpback whales, in their natural habitat. You can then head to the Roanoke Island location which is not far from Jennette's Pier and there you will see the largest collection of sharks in the state. You are going to learn about diverse marine life in the state at Pine Knoll Shores while you will learn more about freshwater streams, swamps, and open ocean of Cape Fear at Fort Fisher.

North Carolina Casinos Map & Guide

• Harrah's Cherokee
• Harrah's Cherokee Valley River

• Number of B&M Casinos: 2
• Number of Poker Rooms: 1
• Number of Indian Casinos: 2

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Harrah's Cherokee offers a live poker room. Some tables are electronic. Those are used for lower stake games.

The two casinos are just over one hour apart. The distance is 56 miles.

Yes. It sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.

No.

There are no forms of online gambling that are legal in the state.

The law is silent on the issue. The sites claim to be skill contests and not gambling.

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.

Types of Casinos in North Carolina

In North Carolina there are two Native American casinos. Both of these Indian casinos are affiliated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Native Americans and both offer live tables games as well as electronic games, such as slot machines.

A third Indian casino is expected to open in late 2021, but it is subject to a series of legal challenges and the project may be halted.

Below is a list of the two North Carolina Indian casinos. Click on the name of a casino to see a page of detailed information about it.

• Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort – EXPECTED TO OPEN LATE 2021

Want to See a Map of all casinos in North Carolina?

Visit our North Carolina casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.

Details on Indian Casinos in North Carolina

Both casinos in North Carolina are open 24 hours and offer live blackjack, roulette, craps and video poker, as well as traditional slot machines. Some other games offered include: let it ride, mini-baccarat, Mississippi stud, poker, and three card poker.

There are no casinos in Charlotte, North Carolina, and there are no casinos in Raleigh, North Carolina. The closest casino to both of these popular cities would be Harrah's Cherokee which is more than 300 miles from Raleigh, NC and 180 miles from Charlotte, NC.

North Carolina Sports Betting

Legislation has been passed to allow legal sports betting in North Carolina. However, as of September, 2020, it had not yet been operational at any casinos. Be sure to check each individual casino's listing page to see when it offers sports betting.

Slot Machine Payback Percentages at North Carolina Indian Casinos

According to North Carolina gaming law, casinos are not required to release information on their electronic games payback percentages. Though, according to the terms of their compact with the state, their video machines are required to have a minimum return of 83%, and a maximum return of 98%.

While North Carolina Casinos are not legally required to release their slot machine payback statistics, many other states require the slot machine payback statistics for that particular state's casinos to be released to the public. Click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all U.S. casinos

Planning a visit to North Carolina casinos?

For more information on visiting the casinos in North Carolina, or for other general tourism information, call the state's division of travel & tourism at (800) 847-4862 or go to: www.visitnc.com

Also, be sure to download the FREE American Casino Guide app for your Apple or Android, smartphone or tablet. The app has maps to let you know which casinos are near you anywhere in the U.S., detailed information on each of those casinos, turn-by-turn directions to all casinos, plus much more! Casino royale 1967 trailer. For more details on the FREE app, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/casinos-near-me.html

Try an online casino for FREE! Use any of our great No Deposit Bonus Codes. No credit card needed, just sign up and start playing!

Save Money at the Casinos!

Want more information on all U.S. casinos? Then you need the most comprehensive and informative casino travel book on the market today! Published for over 27 years, the American Casino Guide Book contains details on all U.S. casino resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos. Plus it includes more than 180 casino coupons, offering you more than $1,000 in savings! For more information, or to buy the newest edition, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/shop

TOP THINGS TO DO IN NORTH CAROLINA

The state of North Carolina is a great destination for visitors at any time of the year as it offers theme parks, museums, iconic buildings, and year-round outdoor activities. You can visit mountains in the high country to go tubing,or skiing during the winter months, and you can go hiking when the weather warms up. The state also has a great history and is filled with many historical landmarks to explore. Some of the best things to do in North Carolina are listed below.

Explore the Biltmore Estate

This private home in Asheville is considered the largest private estate in the U.S. and a great place to visit while in North Carolina. Built between 1889 and 1895, the mansion can be found in the center of 8,000 acres of land. At over 150,000 square feet and 250 rooms, it is the largest privately owned home in the country. After you have explored the mansion, you can then stroll around the gardens and farm.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Go sightseeing at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

This center can be found at the University of North Carolina in the heart of Chapel Hill. This center has attracted over seven million guests since it was opened in 1949. It features over 15 temporary planetarium shows which include fun and educational topics like Galileo, black holes, and astronauts. There are also permanent exhibits in the center which feature topics like the history of the planetarium as a training center for astronauts. Some of the highlights of the planetarium are Water in Our World and Firsts in Flight.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Visit the USS North Carolina

This battleship joined the American fleet during World War II and was among the first 10 battleships to do so. This ship is well armed with about 29 guns in various shapes and sizes. The ship has now retired and you can explore it by taking a tour of the ship, including access to the officers' quarters and the mess hall. You can also head to the upper deck where you can get close to those powerful weapons.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Wander around Linville Gorge and Falls

This is the Grand Canyon of the East and it is the deepest and among the most panoramic gorges in the eastern U.S. It can be found in Pisgah National Forest and the Linville River passes through the gorge at Linville Falls which drop 90 feet. The gorge then continues for 12 miles around steep rock walls. You can gain access via the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 316 whre you can then explore it further on a 1.6-mile round-trip hike. You should also visit the Linville Falls Visitor Center which is close to the lovely Duggers Creek Falls. Some of the other nearby attractions that you can visit are: Crabtree Falls, Hawksbill Mountain, and Table Rock Mountain.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Go sightseeing at North Carolina Aquarium

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The aquarium has four coastal locations which are Fort Fisher, Roanoke Island, Jennette's Pier, and Pine Knoll Shores. Although Jennette's Pier cannot be considered an actual aquarium, it offers stunning views of marine animals, such as humpback whales, in their natural habitat. You can then head to the Roanoke Island location which is not far from Jennette's Pier and there you will see the largest collection of sharks in the state. You are going to learn about diverse marine life in the state at Pine Knoll Shores while you will learn more about freshwater streams, swamps, and open ocean of Cape Fear at Fort Fisher.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Visit North Carolina Zoo

This zoo is a family-friendly destination that houses over 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants. The zoo is located in Asheboro and you will find animals from different continents like Africa, North America, and Asia. When you are exploring the exhibits of the zoo you will notice that all of the enclosed animal areas are designed to look like natural habitats. Some of the animals you will see here are elephants, ostriches, chimps, rhinos, giraffes, alligators, bison, grizzly bears, and bobcats.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Explore the Chimney Rock State Park

This fascinating natural attraction, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, is home to a mesmerizing 2,200-foot high granite spire. The best thing about the park is that it has an elevator within the mountain which makes it easy to get to the summit. You will also find many walking trails that you can explore.

The closest casino to this attraction is Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

How many casinos are in North Carolina?

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There are currently 2 casinos located in North Carolina. • Harrah's Cherokee Casino • Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel

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What is the gambling age in North Carolina?

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In North Carolina, the minimum gambling age is 21 years old.