Find Your Favorite North Carolina Casinos 2026

If North Carolina has a flagship casino, this is the one! Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort sits in the Great Smoky Mountains in the western part of the state, and it’s easily the biggest and most developed property in NC. It’s especially well located for players coming from Atlanta, eastern Tennessee, and western parts of both Carolinas. But plenty of folks make the drive from much further afield because it genuinely feels like a full-scale destination resort. A simple standalone casino this is not. 

The property itself is huge, with a sprawling gaming floor and multiple hotel towers with over 1,800 rooms between them. Plus a superb poker room, a sportsbook, and a long list of restaurants and entertainment options. What honestly sets this place apart is the sheer scale. This isn’t just “good for North Carolina,” it’s competitive with major regional casinos across the Southeast. It’s also seen consistent investment over the years, including major expansions adding a convention center and upgraded gaming areas, so it continues to evolve rather than standing still.

Let's call Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River the smaller, more relaxed sibling to the aforementioned. But don't let that put you off - it’s been quietly leveling up. Located in Murphy near the Georgia and Tennessee borders, it’s especially convenient for players coming from northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, as well as the western edge of North Carolina. Compared to the main Cherokee resort, it feels a bit more compact and easier to navigate. Which - who knows - you may actually prefer. Plenty of folks do. 

What’s interesting here is how much it’s grown. A major $275 million expansion has effectively transformed the property, adding a larger casino floor, new gaming options, a World Series of Poker room, and a brand-new hotel tower with hundreds of additional rooms. The big upgrade also includes a rooftop restaurant, spa, and indoor pool. All this pushes it much closer to “resort” territory rather than just a regional casino, like it seemed before. In short: it’s no longer just the smaller alternative but becoming a serious destination in its own right.  

Catawba Two Kings Casino is the newest and perhaps most interesting of the three. And that's because it’s still a work in progress. Located in Kings Mountain just outside Charlotte and right near the South Carolina border, this is by far the most convenient option for those coming from places like Charlotte, Columbia, and the northern parts of South Carolina - even as far as Charleston or Myrtle Beach. If location is your priority, this is the easiest one to get to from the more populated parts of both Carolinas. 

For now, the casino operates out of a temporary facility. But it still offers a solid mix of slots, electronic table games, and a growing number of live tables. The big story here is the long-term plan. A full-scale resort casino is in development, and after some legal and regulatory hurdles, progress is moving forward again. When that permanent resort is complete, this could become one of the most important casino destinations in the Carolinas, especially given how close it is to major population centers. Rest assured I'll be right there to review the new place once it opens! 

If you’re in eastern North Carolina, the closest “casino” option might actually be just over the state line in South Carolina. The Big “M” Casino sails from Little River, right on the NC–SC border near Myrtle Beach, making it a surprisingly convenient choice if you live or are staying along the NC coast. Instead of a traditional venue, this is a pair of casino cruise ships that take you out into international waters, where gambling is permitted. Anything goes out there, I guess!

Once offshore, the experience is much closer to a real casino than you might expect, with slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker-style games all available. Cruises run year-round, with both daytime and evening departures, and typically last several hours. You need to be 21 or older to play, and once the ship returns to port, the casino closes.

On one hand, it’s a practical workaround to the region’s strict gambling laws. On the other, it’s something genuinely different. A casino trip that comes with ocean views, fresh air, and a mini cruise thrown in!