North Carolina legalized mobile sports betting in June 2023, and the first licensed online sportsbooks launched on March 11, 2024. Legal wagering covers a wide range of sports, including rugby. Residents and visitors can now bet on Major League Rugby (MLR) matches, including games featuring the home-state team Anthem Rugby Carolina.
The market launch quickly drew major sportsbook brands, and North Carolina became a notable betting market in the southeastern United States. Rugby, which had long remained a niche sport for American sportsbooks, gained momentum here thanks to the presence of a home MLR club.
Rules and availability—at a glance
The key regulatory parameters for sports betting in the state are as follows:
- Minimum age: 21+
- Mobile betting: yes, statewide via licensed apps
- Retail (in-person) betting: yes, at tribal casinos
- Live betting: yes
- Futures: yes
- Tax rate: 18% tax on operator revenue
How regulation works
Only state-licensed operators may accept bets in North Carolina. Online betting is available from anywhere in the state subject to geolocation verification, and retail locations operate on tribal casino property. The launch of the legal market in North Carolina became an important signal for neighboring southern states considering similar legislation: a populous state showed that the licensed mobile-operator model can be rolled out quickly.
At the same time, North Carolina’s approach to online casinos remains cautious. Legalization in this area is not expected yet, but residents actively use platforms operating in a legal gray area. Online casinos attract them not only with bonuses and easy onboarding, but also with a variety of games. In the casino lobby of a modern casino platform, you can find both classic casino games and newer options like crash games, live-show style games, and Plinko. Live dealer games have become especially popular.
To verify this, we reviewed search results and found that Crazy Balls live game, Funky Time, Ice Fishing, Crazy Time, and other live-show format games are offered by most major operators. This suggests that such games help drive traffic to online casinos. Moreover, they are available to North Carolina residents—which we also confirmed.
As a result, due to the lack of legalization, the state loses out on tax revenue and does not address consumer protection from gambling-related risks.
Rugby and MLR within the legal framework
From general regulation to a specific sport: MLR matches are listed on the odds boards of all major licensed operators in the state. In sportsbook apps, rugby is usually found in the sections “Rugby,” “Rugby Union,” or “Other Sports.” Markets cover the regular season and the playoffs, and having the local club Anthem Rugby Carolina increases audience interest and expands the range of available markets for specific matches.
Anthem Rugby Carolina as a local focal point
Anthem Rugby Carolina represents North Carolina in MLR and is the state’s only professional rugby club. Having a home team makes rugby markets more granular with local operators: sportsbooks more often offer expanded markets on matches involving the club that is of interest to the local audience.
Before betting on Anthem RC, it’s useful to consider a few factors:
- Home-field advantage: crowd support and an opponent’s fatigue after travel can narrow the odds
- Current form: results from recent matches, injury information, and squad rotation significantly affect the team’s chances
- Weather: North Carolina’s spring climate is unpredictable; cooler matches in March and hotter games late in the season affect pace and scoring differently
- Rivalry matches: games against direct competitors tend to have tighter lines and draw more live-betting action
Licensed apps and their features
DraftKings. Regularly offers MLR markets, including moneyline, spreads, and totals. The app is considered one of the best for live betting thanks to fast odds updates. Welcome offers are available for new users. Season futures are also available.
FanDuel. Rugby markets cover all regular-season and playoff matches. The app’s strong point is an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate even for beginners. There are welcome bonuses and convenient MLR championship futures markets.
Caesars. Offers full MLR coverage with competitive odds. It stands out for its loyalty program, which rewards activity with bonus credits. New users get a welcome offer upon registration. Live betting and futures are available.
Fanatics. The youngest of the major operators in the state. Rugby markets are gradually expanding. The app offers competitive odds and a unique loyalty system. Welcome terms are available for new accounts, and its live-betting features are still expanding.
Basic betting markets for MLR
- Win (moneyline) — a bet on the match winner
- Spread — a bet on the margin of victory with a handicap
- Total (over/under) — a bet on the total number of points scored by both teams
Beginners are better off starting with the moneyline or the total to get a feel for the pace of play and the typical scoring level in rugby.
Advanced markets for experienced players
- Futures — bets on the season outcome, the league champion, or the conference champion
- Props — bets on individual player performance and team statistics (if available)
- Live — in-game bets with constantly updated odds
- Parlays — combining multiple picks for higher odds
Your first rugby bet: a step-by-step guide
- Choose a licensed sportsbook app from those available in the state
- Register and complete identity and geolocation verification
- Fund your account (bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, e-wallets)
- Find the Rugby, Rugby Union, or Other Sports section
- Choose a market and enter your stake amount
- Confirm your bet
- If desired, switch to live betting during the match
How to read American odds
A plus sign (for example, +150) shows how much profit you’d make on a $100 stake
A “minus” sign (for example, −200) shows how much you must stake to win $100. The larger the negative number (in absolute value), the stronger the favorite and the lower the implied probability of winning. Odds can change due to news, injuries, or betting volume, so the timing of your bet affects the final odds value.
Responsible gambling
All licensed operators in North Carolina are required to provide responsible gambling tools:
- Deposit and betting limits (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Cool-off periods
- Self-exclusion (temporary or permanent)
- Session time reminders
- Links to support resources
Problem gambling helpline in North Carolina: 1‑877‑718‑5543, website NCPG — ncpgambling.org.
Sports betting in North Carolina is fully legal, and rugby and MLR markets, including Anthem RC matches, are available from licensed operators. Before placing a bet, it’s worth comparing odds and terms across a few apps.