A 2018 decision by the US Supreme Court ruled the federal ban on gambling. This initiative allowed each state to pass new betting statutes that allow citizens to bet. However, South Carolina is still behind in this race.
However, the relaxation of gambling laws in neighborhood areas sparked the debate in the Palmetto State. If the authorities pass the pending bills in the legislation, the betting market in South Carolina could be vibrant like in other nearby US states.
Current South Carolina Gambling Laws
South Carolina gambling statute prohibits staking money, deposits, credit, or anything of value to make profits through gaming activities. There’s no access to legal poker halls, casinos, dog racing events, or bookies in the state.
Currently, the only authorized activities in this state are bingo, raffles, and lottery games.
Launched in 2002, the South Carolina Education Lottery offers various lotto games. The available games are Powerball, Mega Millions, Palmetto Cash 5, Pick 4 Plus Fireball, Pick 3 Plus Fireball, Cash Pop, and scratch-off games. The state-run lottery also releases a range of promos and jackpots year-round for gambling fans.
Authorities made some more exceptions over the last couple of decades. Recently, SC lawmakers allowed the operation of casino cruises that depart from cities within South Carolina. These heavily regulated cruise casinos can host limited gambling events on specific bet amounts. Residents can gamble on slots, blackjack, roulette, crap, and poker games on these floating casinos.
For a clearer picture, let’s compare South Carolina’s gambling market with other US states.
North Carolina
The Tar Heel State has the most relaxed outlook on betting events. The state allows many gambling activities, including poker, bingo, lottery, slots, and table games. Currently, only online casino gaming is unavailable in the Tar Heel State.
Residents can visit licensed poker halls and tribal casino facilities to gamble legally within the state. Besides, NGOs can host charitable bingo and raffle games. The minimum legal gambling age in North Carolina is 18 years.
North Carolina also legalized sports betting in 2023. Now, locals can wager on their favorite sports events via retail and online sportsbooks. This recent development can also create a seismic shift in South Carolina’s gaming laws.
Experts believe the change in North Carolina’s legislature might also accelerate the process in the Pallemo State.
Tennessee
Like North Carolina, Tennessee has better gambling regulations than the Pallemo State. Residents can legally participate in sports betting and lottery games. The state laws also allow charitable bingo and raffle events.
The lotto game options include Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto America, Daily Tennessee Jackpot, and Keno To Go. Tennesseans can buy lottery tickets from retail shops spread throughout the state.
Like the South Carolinian market, the state banned social gaming and poker games. Similarly, the Volunteer State has no commercial or tribal casino venues.
Further, the state permitted wagering on sports events in the spring of 2019. In fact, it was the first US state to legalize e-sportsbooks. Locals can now bet via online sportsbooks, but no retail sportsbook options exist. The legal age to bet on sports events in Tennessee is 21 or older.
Gambling enthusiasts can punt anytime and anywhere using one of the 11 sports betting apps approved by the state authorities. Residents can bet on all college and major sports events. The state laws only forbid High school sports events along with prop bets on all NCAA basketball and football matchups.
The state collected over $64,939,658 in tax from sports betting operators in FY 2023-2024. Thus, legalizing sportsbooks has been financially beneficial for the Tennessee government. The substantial tax collection can impact the South Carolina government’s decision to approve the gambling bill.
Georgia
Georgia has as strict gambling regulations as the South Carolina market. Currently, the state allows only online lottery and charitable bingo games.
Multiple bills passed through the Georgia Legislature from 2021 to 2024 to legalize sportsbooks, such as SB 386, SR 579, SB 386, and Senate Resolution 579. However, bills have yet to receive approval from the legislature. Now, all hope lies in the 2025 legislative session. With regular push by different authorities, the state may approve a sports betting bill soon.
Till then, crossing the border into North Carolina to enjoy sports punting is the only option for Georgian bettors.
Online Gambling Regulations and Availability
As mentioned before, South Carolina statutes don’t allow any form of gambling. State laws also restrict anyone from running and operating casino and sportsbook sites.
However, SC betting statutes don’t specifically mention prohibitions on online activities. Hence, online gambling falls in a gray area for South Carolina and its neighboring states. Besides, Pallemo State doesn’t have any explicit laws prohibiting offshore gambling.
So, it leaves the locals with only one viable option to bet online. They sign up on offshore e-sportsbooks and casino sites. These overseas-based operators accept players from all over the US, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
The offshore betting sites follow the legal jurisdiction outside the American border. Hence, gamblers can stress-free play on offshore betting sites. From slots, table cards, and poker to sports matchups, US citizens can bet on any activity on these international online gambling platforms.
What Does the Future Hold For the South Carolina Betting Market?
Pallemo State is head-to-head with some neighboring regions. However, there’s a lot to catch up with other neighborhood states. As more US states begin to lessen restrictions, South Carolina will likely lift the ban on some gambling activities in the coming days.
In the last five years, South Carolina authorities introduced bills in the state legislature four times. However, none have passed to this date. So, online betting is on a cliffhanger in this state.
Nevertheless, South Carolina has recently witnessed a shift in the gambling market. A new era of legal online gambling is on the cards as the South Carolina House is deliberating a bill in the legislation. The new law will align Pallemo State with other neighborhood states that already legalized online gambling.
One reason for the upcoming change is easy access to certain gaming activities in nearby states. Industry experts also believe legalizing the real money online casino South Carolina is another way to increase state revenues without raising taxes. Once passed, the SC residents would no longer have to visit North Carolina to satisfy their gambling desires.
The bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats indicates the SC government recognizes the potential benefits of a legal online betting market. As per an estimate, illegal bets worth $2.3 billion are placed annually in South Carolina. Regulating this untapped market will divert this income into substantial state tax revenue.
Whether online or offline, gambling activities can bring revenue to South Carolina. Moreover, a regulated framework will create a structured, responsible, and safe betting environment for the residents.
FAQs
1. What is the legal gambling age in South Carolina
The legal gambling age in South Carolina is 21 or above for lottery and Vegas-style casino gaming on cruises.
2. Who regulates the South Carolina lottery games?
The South Carolina Lottery Commission regulates and manages the lotto gaming events in the state.
3. Which are the best offshore casino sites for South Carolina gamblers?
With myriad options available, DuckyLuck, Wild Casino, Super Slots, and Bovada are the most reliable offshore casino sites for South Carolinians.
4. Is it safe to play on offshore gambling sites?
Offshore sites acquire licenses from international gambling commissions. They comply with the betting laws of their state or country of operation. These gambling platforms also use cutting-edge payment and security systems to protect sensitive user data and identity from online thefts.
Final Verdict
South Carolina isn’t a progressive state when it comes to gambling activity. The conservative mindset of politicians and locals created roadblocks earlier in enacting laws.
However, not anymore. Recent developments in the neighboring regions can drastically impact future decisions for the Pallemo State.
Proposed bills could soon legalize online gambling for South Carolina residents. The lawmakers focus on more inclusive and risk-free gaming options. Introducing new legislation will allow SC residents to gamble easily without traveling to other states.
