Best Sweepstakes Casinos in North Carolina
Players from North Carolina can join over 50 sweepstakes casinos, most of which allow prize redemptions on their sites. If we had to pick, these would be our top choices:
3. Spree Casino:
4. WOW Vegas Casino:
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in North Carolina?
Yes. Unlike real-money operators, sweepstakes casinos are legal in the Tar Heel State. You can join, play games, and even redeem cash prizes free of charge.
Can I win real money playing at North Carolina social sweepstakes casinos?
Not really. However, you will be able to redeem real money prizes or gift cards if you win enough Sweepstakes Coins.
Can I claim bonuses at North Carolina sweepstakes casinos?
Again, no. But you can utilize a host of regular promo offers that give you free GC and free SC. Also, you can use regular discounts on GC purchases.
What types of games can I play at North Carolina sweepstakes casinos?
You can play slots, table games like blackjack, poker, or roulette, live casino games, skill-based games like fish, and various casino originals.
North Carolina Sweepstakes Casinos in 2025
Real-money online casinos are illegal in the Tar Heel State, and there’s no telling when that will change. At this point, North Carolina sweepstakes casinos are your best option for playing casino-style games in the state.
While these casinos may look and feel like traditional ones, they operate on a “no purchase necessary” model, meaning you don’t need to spend any money to play. You can enjoy casino-style games for free and, if luck is on your side, even win real cash prizes.
Stay with us to learn more about sweepstakes casinos and their current legal status in North Carolina.
What Are North Carolina Sweepstakes Casinos?
Sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina are online gaming platforms that you can access for free. They feature hundreds of casino-style games, including:
• Slots: classic slots, video slots, Megaways;
• Table Games: blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat;
• Live Games: video poker, live roulette, live baccarat;
• Skill Based & Originals: fish, dice, Plinko.
Sweepstakes casino sites are not considered gambling because you don’t have to pay anything to play. You’ll be given enough free and promotional virtual currencies, though you can also purchase them if you want. Likewise, at some sweepstakes casinos in NC, you can redeem your winnings as real cash prizes or gift cards.
Sweepstakes Casino Currencies
There are two types of in-game virtual currencies at North Carolina sweepstakes casinos: Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC). The former can only be used to play for fun and can be purchased in the store section of the respective casinos. On the other hand, the SC cannot be purchased but rather received as free gifts and later redeemed as real money prizes. Typically, a $20 GC package will include 20 free SC.
North Carolina Sweepstakes Casino Bonuses
On sweepstakes casino sites, there are no bonuses for purchasing GC. Rather, you can utilize plenty of promotions and bonus offers that reward you with free GC and SC for doing simple things. The most popular promotions in North Carolina Sweepstakes Casino include:
• No-Deposit Promo: a combo of free GC and free SC received after registration.
• Daily Login: free daily GC awarded for visiting the casino.
• Main-in Promo: send an email to receive free gifts.
• Wheel of Fortune: free GC and SC by spinning the wheel.
• Refer a Friend: free GC and SC for bringing a friend (20,000 GC + 2 SC at Zula Casino).
Additionally, you can take advantage of first-purchase and regular discounts on GC bundles.
Sweepstakes Casino Prize Redemptions
Some sweepstakes sites let you redeem your Sweepstakes Coins for real cash rewards. Remember, you have to play through the SC to be able to redeem. The most popular redemption methods include:
• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum)
• Bank Transfers (ACH, Direct Bank Transfer)
• Gift Cards (Prizeout)
Depending on the method used, redemption processing times typically last between 60 minutes and 24 hours. Crypto is the fastest and has the most flexible limits, while bank transfers can be cumbersome.
Current Online Gambling Legislation in North Carolina
Considering that sports betting was legalized only in March 2024, we can safely assume that online casinos in North Carolina will not be legalized soon. The attempt to combine online casinos with sports betting failed in 2023, and there has been no major attempt to rekindle the initiative.
As things stand, North Carolina has three tribal casinos and no commercial casinos. They, alongside sports betting, state lottery, and horse racing, are regulated by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. A recent poll showed strong support for loosening the laws, but legislators remain adamant in their opposition.
History of Sweepstakes Casinos in North Carolina
The history of sweepstakes casinos in North Carolina is marked by failed attempts to curb them. Lawmakers tried to outlaw them on several occasions (most notably in 2006), but the ‘no purchase necessary’ loophole proved too flexible to take down.
But they are just a small drop in the long history of gaming activities in the state, predating the 20th century. Early forms of gambling included unregulated card games and horse racing before being outlawed during prohibition. That only helped the illegal market grow, and by the 1950s, underground casinos and slot machines were booming.
The first piece of legislation came about in 1890 with bingo and raffles, while the first tribal casino welcomed visitors in 1997. Online sports betting was approved only in late 2023, making North Carolina the 30th state to legalize it.
