Online poker in North Carolina isn’t regulated in any way, and there doesn’t seem to be any momentum that could turn the tide on this topic. In other words, North Carolina players currently don’t have any state-regulated real-money poker sites to sign up for.
Nevertheless, as a player from North Carolina, you still have a few options you can explore. Primarily, you can play on sweepstakes sites using virtual currency. If you want to play for real money, your second option is to try an offshore poker site.
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Great casino offer On this page, we will discuss the best online poker sites currently available in North Carolina and provide other important information you should know. Let’s get to it!
Can I Play Online Poker in North Carolina?
Yes, you can play online poker in North Carolina by signing up with one of the trusted sweepstakes platforms operating in the state. Additionally, if you want to play online poker for real money, you can join an offshore poker platform.
North Carolina Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for North Carolina online poker | 18+ |
| Best NC poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in North Carolina
Although online poker in North Carolina remains unregulated, poker players from the Old North State can still find a solid selection of poker sites. Here are the top three poker platforms we recommend for North Carolina players:
#1. CoinPoker – The Best Pick for North Carolina Players
If you’re primarily looking for a real-money online poker platform, CoinPoker is our top recommendation. This cryptocurrency-focused site currently supports No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and Pot Limit Omaha 5 games across an excellent range of stakes and tables.
This leading offshore poker site also delivers strong perks on the bonus front. It offers a 150% welcome bonus worth up to $2,000. Moreover, CoinPoker utilizes its native CHP coin to offer a 33% rakeback to all players. The tournaments offer great action, and you can even find jackpot spin-and-go tournaments called Cosmic Spins with prizes of up to $100,000 guaranteed.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Reliable Platform Backed By WPT
Launched by WPT in 2025, ClubWPT Gold offers very soft games and is a great choice for casual and beginner players who want a safe, trusted platform. While its site is streamlined and easy to use, the software is very feature-rich and offers great customization across a range of settings.
Unlike our other two selections, ClubWPT Gold currently doesn’t offer any loyalty or rakeback perks to its players. However, it makes up for this with its daily freerolls bonus, through which you can amass a sizable amount of Sweeps Coins just by logging in and playing every day.
#3. Stake US – Great Selection of Poker Formats
If you want a sweepstakes site that supports cryptocurrency, Stake US is the perfect alternative to ClubWPT. This globally popular sweepstakes poker and casino platform offers a great selection of Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha in tournament, ring game, and sit-and-go formats.
Stake US has created a 55 SC welcome bonus for new players and a 5% rakeback for regulars. It also has a very low prize redemption threshold of only 46 SC, making it a superb option for players with smaller bankrolls or who focus on casual play.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
Real-money poker requires licensed operators, secure payments, and strict regulatory oversight because players wager cash that can be withdrawn. Where permitted, operators must hold state licenses and comply with strict consumer protection rules.
By contrast, sweepstakes poker uses a dual-currency promotional model, and players aren’t betting real money. More precisely, they play with virtual “Gold” or “Play” coins and use promotional “Sweeps” coins to enter prize-eligible events.
Legally, sweepstakes platforms aim to operate as promotional contests rather than gambling, but their availability varies by state, and operators publish eligibility lists to avoid states where sweepstakes mechanics are restricted or under legal scrutiny. For instance, while these sweepstakes poker sites are completely legal in North Carolina, they aren’t available in states like Montana and Washington.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
The most common setup most sweepstakes sites use utilizes Gold Coins as play money and Sweeps Coins as the prize currency. For a concrete example, imagine you purchase a $25 Gold Coin bundle. The site may credit you with 250,000 Gold Coins for entertainment play and 25 Sweeps Coins as a promotional bonus.
You can use Gold Coins to play casual tables with no cash value, and use Sweeps Coins to enter prize-eligible tournaments or ring games. For instance, let’s say you use a portion of your bonus to enter a 2 SC buy-in tournament and finish first, you might win 40 SC. Sites usually offer a 1:1 redemption rate, meaning this amount would be redeemable for $40 in cash.
Regulation Landscape in North Carolina
Although the state legalized online sports betting in 2024, online poker remains unregulated, and there are currently no state-licensed poker platforms. However, that hasn’t stopped poker fans from finding alternatives through sweepstakes poker platforms and offshore sites.
Looking ahead, poker’s path to legalization in North Carolina likely depends on the success of online sports betting. If tax revenues and consumer protections hold steady, lawmakers could be more open to expanding into poker and casino-style gaming. For now, North Carolina is in a wait-and-see phase. Legislators are cautious, but no longer closed to the idea of regulated online play.