You might be excited to learn that you can now wager on sports events from the comfort of your home. The legality of online sports betting in North Carolina is not in question, as it is currently allowed under State law. But just because it’s legal doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easy to get started.
Ensure that you’re aware of all the rules and regulations pertaining to online sportsbetting in North Carolina before putting in any real money. Luckily for you, we’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of the closest states to North Carolina for online sportsbetting.
This is based on the combined proximity of the relevant infrastructure (i.e., landline phones, internet servers, etc.) to measure the distance from the point of view of a computer. From there, you can easily access any online sportsbook that you might be interested in. Keep in mind that this is not an endorsement of any particular sportsbook or provider, as you should do your own research before committing.
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia is the closest city to Cary, North Carolina, which is the state’s capital. It is also the closest city to Raleigh, the state’s capital city, lending credence to the commonwealth’s nickname of the “Capital of Northern Virginia.”
Though it is not actually in North Carolina, the landline phone infrastructure of Arlington is sufficiently close to enable phone-based wagering. The last time we checked, there were 18,400 landline phones in service in the city. That’s a lot of odds makers!
In addition to its dense landline phone infrastructure, Arlington has also invested heavily in internet infrastructure. The city’s WiMax wireless broadband network offers peak speeds of 7.2 megabits per second, which is more than sufficient for online wagering.
Arlington is the headquarters for Skybet, an international sportsbook that offers betting and live-streaming on sporting events. With a population of just under 200,000, it’s not hard to find an online bookmaker that offers the U.S. market. But be sure to read reviews before making a decision, as not all offshore books are created equal.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia is the closest city to the state of North Carolina, with the metropolitan area’s population currently estimated to be over 39 million. This makes it the third-largest city in the United States after New York and Los Angeles. It is also the largest city in the country to be located in the Southeastern United States. While much of the city centers on commerce and professional services, there is a large university population that keeps it young and vibrant.
Like many other major U.S. cities, Atlanta has a landline phone infrastructure that is constantly expanding and evolving to keep up with the demand for phone service. Currently, the city’s landline phone base is estimated to be over 5 million lines, so there should be no shortage of betting opportunities available to those that live there. Though landline phones are becoming less popular, the city continues to support over 1.8 million wireless subscribers, with the iPhone being the most popular smartphone, along with the Google Pixel.
Austin, Texas
Located in central Texas, Austin is the closest city to the state of North Carolina and also the state’s biggest city. It is the fourth-largest city in the U.S. and the second-largest in Texas. Like many other major U.S. cities, Austin has a large university population that is responsible for the city’s creative energy.
The city is home to the popular annual Austin City Limits festival, which attracts large crowds and offers some of the best stages in the country. It’s also the location of the Texas Capitol, where the State of Texas holds its annual session. If Austin is your kind of town, there are plenty of opportunities to wager on sports there.
Baltimore, Maryland
The largest city in the U.S. with a population over 500,000 is located in Maryland, which is technically in the Northeast but well within the country’s borders. Though technically part of the Baltimore metro area, the next closest major city is Washington D.C., which is over 100 miles away. What this means is that the vast majority of residents in Baltimore County are within driving distance of a landline phone or internet-enabled device that can access an online bookmaker. In addition, the city has made a large investment in WiMax wireless broadband infrastructure, which is capable of offering peak speeds of 25 megabits per second.
Like many other American cities, Baltimore has been greatly affected by the recent rise of online sportsbooks and online betting. Several major offshore bookmakers have established offices in town, which has led to a lot of competition, creating more opportunities for bettors. While it might not be the easiest city in which to get started, there is definitely a lot to do here if you are looking for an American city with a northern charm.
Boston, Massachusetts
Though it is the capital city of Massachusetts, Boston is not located in North Carolina. The next closest major city is Providence, Rhode Island, which is over 100 miles away. This means that the majority of the city’s population, around 600,000, has access to a landline phone or internet-enabled device that can access an online bookmaker. In addition, Boston has invested heavily in internet infrastructure, with a large number of broadband connections and enough wireless spectrum to support 4.4 million users.
This level of broadband penetration makes it one of the most advanced cities when it comes to teleworking. Since 2011, Boston is home to over 100,000 technology professionals, which accounts for a massive 20% of its population. In 2019 alone, there were approximately 20,000 technology-related jobs available in the city. If you have a love for books and history, Boston might be the place for you.
Charleston, South Carolina
Technically part of the same state, Charleston is located in the south and is the closest city to the state’s borders. Due to its proximity to Georgia and the rest of the Southeast, there is a large Appalachian influence in the city’s cuisine, which focuses heavily on local produce. Though the bulk of the city’s population is centered on the financial district, with many high-rise buildings, there are also several small historic districts filled with Victorian houses. If you are looking for a southern city with a lot of charm and character, you might want to consider Charleston.
The last time we checked, Charleston had 19,900 landline phones in service, along with an active wireless broadband network offering speeds up to 100 megabits per second.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the closest city to the state of North Carolina, located directly across the river from the state’s greatest city, Nashville. Though a bridge connects the two cities, it seems unlikely that anyone would want to live in Chattanooga, especially if they are a fan of Nashville’s hot chicken.
However, the bulk of the city’s population, around 148,000, has access to a landline phone or internet-enabled device that can access an online bookmaker. In addition, the city has invested heavily in internet infrastructure, with a large number of broadband connections and enough wireless spectrum to support 1.3 million users. This has enabled startups to emerge and grow, contributing to the city’s creative energy.
The number of venture-backed startups in the city is among the highest in the country. In 2019, there were over 40 active digital media firms in Chattanooga, including Wochit, HiFi Buzz, Pursuit, and VentureWire. If you are interested in pursuing a career in tech, there should be no doubt that Chattanooga is your kind of town.
Though the list above concentrates on North Carolina, it should come as no surprise that there are other states where you can easily bet on sports. California, for example, is legally required to offer online sportsbooks to its residents, though the industry is still in its infancy and most outlets take advantage of this fact to exploit bettors.
As more and more people turn to online bookmakers to make sports wagers, the opportunities exist to capitalize on this trend. However, understanding the relevant rules and regulations is the first step to properly engaging with this new form of entertainment.