North Carolina Daily Fantasy Sports
North Carolina does not regulate daily fantasy sports, but the nation’s most prominent daily fantasy and pick’em apps serve residents 18 and above.
The wide-open nature of the North Carolina fantasy sports market provides fans with a broad range of contest types, including DFS and parlay-style pick’em games at buyins ranging from free to ultra-high-stakes.
North Carolina Fantasy Sports Sites
Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus EntriesUnderdog Sports Promo Code: BETUSA
Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).
Free Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA
18/21+, T&Cs Apply. Welcome offer is for players who make their first successful deposit to ParlayPlay. Following the deposit, you receive promo entry(s) that matches the deposit amount up to $100. The promo entry can only be used to enter up to 4-pick More/Less contests. If you lose the promo entry, your account balance is not impacted. The deposit promo entry(s) must be used within 7 days of deposit. After 7 days the free entry will expire. If you have concerns about managing your play on ParlayPlay or anywhere else, or if you’re concerned about a family member or friend, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers support through telephone or text. They can be reached confidentially (24-hours a day) at 1-800-522-4700. Or contacted on their website at https://www.ncpgambling.org/ or through chat at ncpgambling.org/chat.
$200 in No Sweat Tokens + A Free PicksBetr Picks Promo Code: USGAMLING
Must be 21+ and located in a jurisdiction where Betr Picks operates. Product offering may vary by jurisdiction. T&Cs apply. For more details, please visit betr.app. Concerned about your play? Call the NCPG at 1-800-522-4700.
Play $5, Get $55 in Free LineupsBoom Sports Promo Code: BUSA
Users must be 18+ years of age to play and deposit (19+ in Nebraska). T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. All users must have only 1 account. If a user is found to be less than 18 years old, their account will be banned and all their entries will be canceled and refunded. If a user is found to have more than 1 account, they will be subject to a ban at Boom’s discretion.
21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
It is critical to choose reputable fantasy sports sites in North Carolina because the state does not enforce consumer protection regulations, leaving operators to self-regulate their platforms and implement their own eligibility requirements.
The easiest way for fans to ensure they receive fair treatment is to use fantasy sports apps licensed in states that regulate DFS operators:
Legal North Carolina DFS Apps
- PrizePicks
- Boom Fantasy
- Underdog Fantasy
- ParlayPlay
- Betr Picks
- Dabble Fantasy
- FanDuel DFS
- DraftKings DFS
- Sleeper DFS
Multiple states have passed comprehensive legislation requiring operators to apply for licenses from local gambling regulators, adhere to consumer protection regulations, and promote responsible gaming.
In short, the best North Carolina fantasy sports sites hold licenses in multiple states and have proven track records. Additionally, high-quality operators offer value-added fantasy sports bonuses to all new users.
North Carolina Pick’em Fantasy Sports Apps
Fantasy pick’em sports contests are currently legal in North Carolina, but it’s uncertain how long that will be the case.
The North Carolina State Lottery Commission nearly banned fantasy pick’em contests in late 2023 before relenting and promising to revisit the issue later.
The near-ban occurred when the Commission published its proposed sports betting rules. A provision in the draft regulations addressing fantasy sports defined what constitutes legal DFS contests and explicitly prohibited pick ’em-style games.
Pick’em fantasy operators and proponents vehemently objected the proposal.
The Coalition for Fantasy Sports claimed North Carolina lawmakers had assured DFS operators like PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy could continue offering fantasy pick’em contests once they passed the bill that legalized sports wagering.
In a statement, the Coalition urged the Lottery Commission to honor the “letter and spirit” of the law.
North Carolina’s fantasy pick’em operators scored a significant win when the Commission reconvened and removed all DFS provisions from its final sports betting regulations.
However, fantasy pick’em sites in North Carolina still face future regulatory risk.
Commission officials later explained that they removed the pick’em provisions to focus on launching online sports betting. The first North Carolina sports betting sites launched in March 2024, but the Lottery Commission has yet to revisit the DFS issue.
North Carolina Fantasy Sports Law
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) exempts DFS from federal anti-gambling laws and leaves the issue up to states to decide.
However, North Carolina law does not specifically address daily fantasy sports apps, leaving DFS neither prohibited nor explicitly authorized.
North Carolina’s first attempt to legalize daily fantasy sports occurred in 2017 via HB 279.
The bill would have formally legalized DFS contests, implemented some basic consumer protection regulations, and required DFS operators to register with the Department of the Secretary of State.
Registration fees would have been set at 10% of the previous year’s revenues but no less than $2,500 and not exceeding $10,000.
Before it could become law, HB 279 was shot down by lawmakers under pressure from anti-gambling groups.
The North Carolina Family Policy Council called it a “massive expansion of legalized gambling” and succeeded in killing the bill before it could advance in the legislative process.
Lawmakers tried again in 2019 with the introduction of HB 929.
This bill would have established the North Carolina Gaming Commission, provided regulations for daily fantasy sports, and consolidated oversight over both under the new commission.
HB 929 failed in the House due to pressure from anti-gambling representatives and former law enforcement officials who opposed the measure for various reasons.
As lawmakers’ attention turned to sports betting, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission announced plans to address pick’em contests after online sports betting launched.
North Carolina Fantasy Sports FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.
