North Carolina Local Casinos
The casino industry in North Carolina is small but growing, with brick-and-mortar casinos operating exclusively on tribal land under agreements with the state.
There are currently three local casinos that offer a full range of traditional gaming, including slot machines, table games, poker, and retail sportsbooks, while also serving as major entertainment destinations with hotels, restaurants, and live events. Because commercial casinos are not permitted statewide, tribal resorts remain the primary place for residents and visitors to enjoy in-person casino gaming in the state.
For players who prefer to gamble from home, many also explore online casino options available to the state's residents through offshore platforms, such as the brands referenced throughout onlinenorthcarolinacasinos.com. These sites provide access to online slots, table games, live dealer casinos, and sports betting from anywhere in the state.
Below, we will detail each of the three tribal casino locations and discuss the gaming options you will encounter while gambling in the Tar Heel State.
Tribal Casinos
Tribal casinos are the only form of full casino gaming legally permitted in North Carolina, operating under federal law through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act* (IGRA). These casinos are owned and operated by federally recognized Native American tribes and function under gaming compacts negotiated with the state.
Because commercial casinos are not authorized in the state, tribal properties serve as the state’s primary destination for slot machines, table games, poker, and retail sportsbooks.
New Gaming Developments
North Carolina currently has only a few brick-and-mortar casinos, but new developments and expansions are underway that could significantly grow the state’s gaming industry in the coming years.
The largest project in progress is the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, a multibillion-dollar development being built in phases near the South Carolina border and about 35 miles west of Charlotte. The project is designed to transform the existing temporary casino into a large destination resort with thousands of slot machines, table games, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a hotel tower.
In addition to this major expansion, discussions around potential new casinos occasionally surface in the state, particularly if additional tribes receive federal recognition or if the state expands its gaming laws. For example, federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe could eventually allow for the development of a tribal casino in eastern North Carolina, although no confirmed project or timeline has been announced yet.
Minimum Gambling Age In NC
The minimum gambling age in the state depends on the type of gambling activity. For casino gaming at tribal properties, visitors must typically be 21 years old to participate in table games and most other casino activities, though some casinos allow players 18 or older to use certain slot machines.
Other forms of gambling in the state, such as the lottery and sports betting, also have their own age requirements set by state law and regulatory authorities. As a result, the legal gambling age in North Carolina generally ranges from 18 to 21, depending on the activity.
Minimum NC Gambling Age by Activity
- Tribal Casinos (table games): 21+
- Tribal Casinos (slot machines): 18+
- Retail Sports Betting (at casinos): 21+
- Online / Mobile Sports Betting: 21+
- Lottery: 18+
- Charitable Bingo and Raffles: 18+
- Online Casinos (offshore) 18+
Casino Timeline
North Carolina effectively legalized casino gambling in 1994, when the state signed its first tribal–state gaming compact with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This agreement allowed the tribe to operate casino-style gaming on tribal land under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
The first actual casino opened on November 13, 1997, when Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort began operations in the state. Initially, it offered electronic gaming machines and video poker, with live table games added later after a compact amendment in 2012.
Timeline
- 1988 – U.S. passes the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allowing tribes to run casinos on tribal land.
- 1994 – North Carolina signs its first tribal gaming compact with the Cherokee tribe.
- 1997 – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort opens (first casino in the state).
- 2012 – Table games legalized at Cherokee casinos through a compact amendment.
- 2015 – Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino opens in Murphy.
- 2021 – Catawba Two Kings Casino opens near Charlotte.
Casino Games
Casino gaming in North Carolina takes place primarily at the state’s tribal casinos, where visitors can enjoy many of the same classic games found in major casino destinations. These properties feature large gaming floors filled with slot machines, as well as live-dealer table games that appeal to both casual players and experienced gamblers.
In addition to these in-person options, many players also explore online casino games through offshore platforms, which provide digital versions of popular casino games along with live dealer tables that can be played from home.
Popular Casino Games
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Craps
- Baccarat
- Poker (cash games and tournaments)
- Electronic table games
- Video poker
- Live dealer casino games (online)
Together, these options provide local players with a mix of traditional casino experiences at tribal resorts and a wider selection of online casino games accessible from anywhere in the state.
