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Casinos in North Carolina

Jane Shaw Written By Jane Shaw
Last Updated on 14.05.2025

North Carolina has become more progressive in gambling, starting with the legalization of charity bingo and a state lottery, which improved education and created jobs. The state also approved tribal gaming compacts, allowing two land-based casinos.

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North Carolina Casino Map – List of Gambling Locations

North Carolina Casino Map

The Best Casino in North Carolina

North Carolina Best Casinos
Harrah’s Cherokee
Website: caesars.com
Phone: (828) 497-7777
Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States , Cherokee , , USA
Slots: 3280
Table Games: 100
Poker Tables: 20
Min Bet: $0.05
Max Bet: $1000.00
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes

The Biggest Casino in North Carolina

North Carolina Biggest Casino
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
Website: caesars.com
Phone: N/A
Address: 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906, United States, Murphy, North Carolina, 28906
Slots: N/A
Table Games: 70
Poker Tables: 15
Min Bet: N/A
Max Bet: N/A
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: No
Bars: No
Attractions: No

Are There Indian Casinos in North Carolina?

A casino gambling compact with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians permitted the establishment of Indian casinos in North Carolina. Initially, Indian casinos are only allowed to offer video gaming. It changed when the NC government amended the bill for casinos to operate table games too. North Carolina Indian Casino

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River
Website: caesars.com
Phone: N/A
Address: 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906, United States, Murphy, North Carolina, 28906
Slots: N/A
Table Games: 70
Poker Tables: 15
Min Bet: N/A
Max Bet: N/A
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: No
Bars: No
Attractions: No
Harrah’s Cherokee
Website: caesars.com
Phone: (828) 497-7777
Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States , Cherokee , , USA
Slots: 3280
Table Games: 100
Poker Tables: 20
Min Bet: $0.05
Max Bet: $1000.00
Opening Hours: 24/7
Dining: Yes
Bars: Yes
Attractions: Yes

Racinos

NC gambling laws had a brief window of legality for racetracks beginning 1948 until 1954. It allowed the operation of two racetracks in Moyock and Morehead City, where greyhound races occurred. In the mid-50s, the state banned racinos due to allegations that the officials gave the said private company some special privileges.

After the event, North Carolina never allowed horseracing.

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in North Carolina?

There are no available cruise ship casinos that operate from NC lands. Residents on the east side of the state can find riverboat casinos that depart from Little River. These gambling cruises are just across the state land in South Carolina, where they offer the same variety of casino games.

Full North Carolina Casino List

There are two land-based casinos in North Carolina where residents can experience a full range of betting games, such as slots, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride and baccarat. Check out some casinos near us, where these games are legal.

Choose a City
Choose a Type
All Casinos in Cherokee
Harrah’s Cherokee 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States, Cherokee, Indian Casino
All Casinos in Murphy
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River 777 Casino Pkwy, Murphy, NC 28906, United States, Murphy, 28906 Indian Casino

Expected New Casinos

Since the beginning, gambling towns in North Carolina have shown slow progress in embracing the establishment of casinos in its lands. NC laws only legalized two tribal casinos and a handful of bingo establishments. There is a small probability of having new casinos in North Carolina gambling cities as the state seriously preserves its conservative values.

Gambling in North Carolina

When North Carolina approved the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, it allowed tribes to negotiate casino compacts with many states, including North Carolina. NC establishments were approved to offer various gambling activities, such as poker, slots, roulette, dice, blackjack, and table games.

North Carolina Gambling Topics Gambling Facts for North Carolina
Number of Casinos 2
Casino Types Indian
Casino Games Offered Slots Games, Table Games, Poker Games, Roulette Games, Blackjack Games, Dice Games,
Age 21+ ,
Smoking Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each North Carolina casino
Drinking Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served
Opening Hours
24/7 , Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
Betting Limit Minimum of $0.01
Taxation of Winnings Yes/No, for additional details click here

Casino Games in North Carolina

Numerous gambling options are available in North Carolina, the same as what other states offer to its residents. Below is the list of gambling options that we can enjoy within the state lines.

Slot
  • Colossal Wizards
  • Li’l Red
  • Spartacus Gladiator of Rome
  • Forbidden Dragons
  • Queen of the Wild II
  • Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire
  • 4300+ Slot Machines
Casino Poker
  • Let it Ride
  • Flop Poker
  • Limit Holdem
  • No Limit Holdem
  • 1 Poker Room Is Available In Each Of The Casinos
Cash Poker & Tournaments
  • Crazy 4 Poke
  • Fortune Pai Gow
  • Sharp Shooter
  • Razz
  • Limit Holdem
  • NL Holdem
  • 170+ Table Games
Roulette
  • American Roulette
  • European Roulette
Blackjack
  • Any 2 Card Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Hand-Held Deck
  • Shoe Game
  • Single Deck
  • Double Deck
Dice Games
  • Craps
  • Sic Bo
  • Hazard
  • Chuck-A-Luck
Lottery Games
  • Keno
  • 75 Ball Bingo
  • 90 Ball Bingo
  • Daily Lotto Draws
  • Mini Lottos
  • Scratchers
  • Types: Scratch-off and lotto tickets
  • Betting includes interstate drawings such as Powerball and Mega Millions
Other Games
  • Electronic Craps
  • Electronic Blackjack
  • Electronic Roulette
  • Electronic 3-Card Poker
Sports Betting
  • None

Gambling Legal Situation in North Carolina

  1. When was casino gambling legalized in NC? The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed the legality of casino gambling in North Carolina. Tribes are permitted to negotiate casino compacts with the state to operate officially.
  2. Online gambling: North Carolina did not actively address online betting in its gambling laws. However, residents are more likely safe to play at offshore gaming sites due to NC broad gambling laws.
  3. What is the legal gambling age in North Carolina? Players must be at least 18 years old to participate in the state lottery events and 21 years old to enter tribal casinos.
  4. Can you smoke in NC casinos? North Carolina does not allow smoking in all indoor businesses; however, it does not apply to Cherokee’s casinos. There are designated areas for its casino players.
  5. Horse racing / Off-Track betting: Horseracing has been outlawed and was never allowed to take place in North Carolina.
  6. Dog racing / Off-Track betting: North Carolina legalized greyhound racing for a short period from 1948 to 1954. The races occurred at the Morehead City and Moyock racetracks.
  7. North Carolina Charitable gaming: NC constitution did not actively address social gambling; however, all forms of betting are considered illegal within the state lines. Social gaming serves as unlawful in this perspective.
  8. Other legal restrictions: NC lawmakers dealt with many gambling activities that the state considers illegal. It includes video gambling and sweepstakes cafes.

Taxation of Winnings

North Carolina is said to be one of the unfavorable states for gamblers when it comes to federal tax. NC does not allow gambling losses as an itemized deduction, which makes a taxpayer with $1000 of gambling winnings and $1000 of gambling losses owe state income tax on the phantom gambling winnings.

Prize ($) North Carolina Gross Income Tax (%)
State Income Tax (any prize) 5.2 (flat rate)
Federal tax (any prize) 0 (depends on the tax bracket)

North Carolina Gambling Laws

NC gambling laws are broad. North Carolina does not actively address other gambling options, making it difficult for some residents to know the legality of their betting activities. Below, we can check on some excerpts to keep in mind when actively engaging in some gambling activities within the state lines.

  • Article 37, North Carolina Constitution: Article 7 of the North Carolina Constitution covers the legality of most gambling forms, such as lotteries, gaming, bingo, and raffles. It states that casinos are permitted on Indian lands only and managed through Tribal-State Gaming Compact. Qualified nonprofit and charitable organizations may operate bingo games. For state lottery, the purpose should be raising funds for education.
  • Senate Bill 154: This section classifies sports and horseracing as forms of Class III gambling that are only allowed at tribal casinos. It also supports the launch of a sportsbook within state lines, which opens a high possibility of expansion of gambling in North Carolina. The Cherokee tribe confirmed its plan to launch a retail sportsbook named The Book under the approved bill.

History

North Carolina initially restricted gambling, but resident demand led to some changes. Legislation allowed Cherokee casinos to offer table games, leading to the opening of Cherokee Valley River Casino.

While the Cherokee Tribe opposed additional casinos, the Catawba Tribe was eventually permitted to open King’s Mountain casino resort in 2020, with help from Hard Rock International.

North Carolina history image
  • 1979: North Carolina allowed operations of bingo and raffles for charities.
  • 1994: The state has approved the Cherokee tribe’s casino compact. From then on, the tribe started offering video gaming to the residents.
  • 1997: The tribe opened the first casino in North Carolina through a gambling compact.
  • 2005: The state lottery was approved.
  • 2019: Senate Bill 154 legalized sports betting at tribal casinos.
  • 2020: Catawba Tribe given permission to open King’s Mountain casino resort.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

North Carolina has a proposed Gaming Commission Bill aiming to expand the gambling options within the state lines. This would elevate NC to a similar level as many other states that offer the best casino experience in the US. Though it is still under the committee’s review, residents expect that it covers all gaming activities, such as online gaming.

FAQ

Are there casinos in North Carolina?

There are casinos in North Carolina. The state has two primary tribal casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.

Are drugs allowed in North Carolina casinos?

Drugs are not allowed in North Carolina casinos. Like all establishments in the state, they adhere to laws prohibiting the use and possession of illegal substances.

Is it possible to bring your children to the casinos in North Carolina?

Children are not allowed within the casino area, but they can stay on some premises inside the casino resort. Adults should accompany children inside the gambling place.

Do North Carolina casinos allow guns?

Carrying guns are only allowed under certain circumstances. It is allowed whether law enforcement officers and security officers are on or off duty.

Am I allowed to bring pets to any casino in North Carolina?

In general, pets are not allowed in casinos in North Carolina. Most casinos permit only service animals that assist individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).