South Carolina lawmakers have never been enthusiastic about allowing land-based gambling within the borders of the state. Consequently, the only way to engage in a state-approved real money game of chance is to try the South Carolina lottery. Casino games are nowhere to be found, pari-mutuel betting is outlawed and poker games are impossible to host. Fortunately, the local politicians don’t seem to be aware of the existence of online gambling sites. If they knew, we’re pretty sure that they’d make them illegal too.
Online Gambling in South Carolina
South Carolina gambling regulations are ridiculously prohibitive, but they have a serious flaw from an anti-gambling activist’s standpoint – they’re very enumerative in nature. As briefly touched on above, internet games aren’t mentioned anywhere in the South Carolina code, so the local iGaming enthusiasts are pretty much free to play on any US-facing platforms they want without worrying about criminal liability too much.
It’s also worth pointing out that while this theory hasn’t really been tested in a South Carolina court, the local authorities don’t seem to be interested in prosecuting individual online gamblers and haven’t even attempted pressing charges against any offshore sites’ customers so far.
Casinos & Sportsbooks Accepting Players From South Carolina
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Casino Games
South Carolina doesn’t have any licensed land-based casino gambling facilities. Consequently, playing slots or table games requires South Carolina residents to sign-up with one of the offshore casino sites. Fortunately, many of those sites are exceptionally well designed and offer a wide range of games. We’ve selected some of the best South Carolina-friendly online casinos based on their overall quality, the bonuses they offer and the security guarantees that they can provide – the complete list is available below, so you should definitely check them out before moving on to other, similar platforms.
Sports Betting
South Carolina doesn’t allow pari-mutuel betting and doesn’t even have any dedicated racetracks. This means that the local bettors have to follow the same course of action as the local casino enthusiasts, which shouldn’t be an issue since most of the high-profile offshore sportsbooks have no qualms about accepting South Carolina-based gamblers. The sites listed here offer above-average free bets and distinguish themselves from the crowd by offering better prices and better event coverage than the competition, so once you open an account with one of those operators, you’ll never have to worry about finding a new sportsbook.
Poker
Since most US-based poker enthusiasts play on offshore major network sites anyway, South Carolina residents don’t really miss out on anything important due to the lack of local card rooms. The high-traffic sites that we recommend offer 24/7 action and regular tournaments with life-changing rewards – and if that wasn’t enough, they’re able to afford exciting welcome bonuses for new players which are guaranteed to give you some additional bang for your buck.
Online Gambling FAQ
Where can I find regulations that pertain to gambling in South Carolina?
The relevant regulations and definitions are spread across the South Carolina Code.
What forms of gambling are legal and regulated within the borders of South Carolina?
The only form of gambling sanctioned by the state is the South Carolina Lottery.
What is the legal status of online gambling in South Carolina?
Online gambling isn’t regulated, the legal status of playing on offshore sites remains unclear and the local authorities aren’t actively trying to catch online gamblers off-guard.
Do offshore gambling sites accept South Carolina residents?
Yes, offshore sites have absolutely no qualms about accepting South Carolina-based customers.
How can I deposit to an offshore gambling site from South Carolina?
You can fund your account via a simple credit/debit card payment as long as the card in question can be used for international transactions.
How can I withdraw my money from an offshore iGaming site if I live in South Carolina?
You can request a payout via a check by courier or via a wire transfer. Wire transfers are cheaper and faster, while checks tend to have higher maximum cash out limit.
Is South Carolina planning to regulate online gambling in the future?
No. It’s literally impossible.
Gambling History – Interesting Facts
1. South Carolina lottery was established in 2001, but the initial draw took place next year. In 2008 the tickets became available at electronic terminals and in 2009 South Carolina lotto started offering inter-state games, such as PowerBall.
2. In 2006, South Carolina authorities raided a home poker game, which resulted in a lengthy legal battle. Initially, the participants of the game were found guilty. However, those convictions were overturned in 2009. The authorities appealed to the supreme court, which in 2012 decided to uphold the original verdicts. This set the precedent for Texas Hold’em home games, which are currently considered illegal within the borders of the state.
South Carolina Gambling Resources
South Carolina Code of Laws:
www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php
Pechanga – South Carolina Gaming:
http://www.pechanga.net/category/issue-tag/south-carolina-gaming