Is Online Casinos & Poker Legal in North Carolina?
Online Casinos & Poker is illegal in North Carolina as of 2026. North Carolina prohibits online casino gambling and online poker under its state gambling laws. The North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 14, Article 53 criminalizes unauthorized gambling activities, including internet gambling. Only the state lottery and limited tribal casinos are authorized.
Online Casinos & Poker is ILLEGAL in North Carolina
Online Casinos & Poker is currently illegal in North Carolina. Possession or sale may result in penalties.
Online Casinos & Poker Laws in North Carolina: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Online Casinos & Poker is currently illegal in North Carolina.
- 2 Possession: Possession of online gambling software for unauthorized gambling is illegal.
- 3 Sale: Sale or facilitation of online gambling services is prohibited.
- 4 Age Restriction: 18 years old for lottery; 21 for casino gambling.
- 5 Penalties: Violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges with fines and imprisonment under NCGS § 14-309.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Possession of online gambling software for unauthorized gambling is illegal. |
| Sale | Sale or facilitation of online gambling services is prohibited. |
| Age Restriction | 18 years old for lottery; 21 for casino gambling. |
| Penalties | Violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges with fines and imprisonment under NCGS § 14-309. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does North Carolina Compare?
Across all 50 states, Online Casinos & Poker is fully legal in 18 states, legal with restrictions in 15 states, and illegal in 17 states. North Carolina is among the 17 states where it is illegal.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: North Carolina General Statutes - Gambling
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_53.html
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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