Online Gambling in South Carolina: Quick Facts
- Legal South Carolina online gambling options? N/A
- Legal gambling age: N/A
- Who regulates South Carolina online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in South Carolina to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of South Carolina to gamble online? N/A
- Sports available to bet on: N/A
A Brief History of South Carolina Online Gambling
South Carolina first banned all forms of gambling way back in 1802. Those laws are still in place to this day. You won’t find any amendments that discuss online gambling. But it falls under the other laws that are currently in place.
Video gaming machines were actually legal in South Carolina in the 1990s, but those were also banned starting in 2000. Not only does South Carolina prohibit casino-style gambling, but social gambling is also prohibited.
There is riverboat gambling available, but only after the ship is out in international waters. Both casino-style gambling and poker are both prohibited, and the same can be said for sports betting.
The Catawba Nation did attempt to offer tribal gaming in the early 2000s. That attempt was stopped by the South Carolina Supreme Court. This state is just unwilling to change any current rules. And that will likely remain the case far into the future.
South Carolina Online Gambling: The Current Law
- The legal gambling age is 18, but the lottery is the only option.
- Betting on horse races is illegal in South Carolina.
- Casinos are not legal in South Carolina.
- Poker is not legal in the state.
- There are no sports betting options.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
In 2019, lawmakers in South Carolina did the unthinkable and introduced a bill that would have legalized sports betting. Bills that expand gambling options in South Carolina are extremely rare, but this bill did not get past the first reading.
Since that bill failed, there has not been another one introduced, and the prospects of sports betting in South Carolina are slim. This does seem like it would be the first step in gaming expansion, but it still feels like a long shot.
There have been other states with restrictive gambling laws that approve sports betting, and that could give bettors in South Carolina some hope. This would likely be online sports betting as there are no good retail options available.
Sports Betting in South Carolina
If sports betting was ever offered in South Carolina, the four major professional sports in the US would be the biggest betting markets. The NFL leads the way throughout the US, and it would likely bring in plenty of action here as well.
South Carolina is also in the heart of SEC country, and college football could attract a large number of wagers as well. It all depends on what the state decides to allow if it allows sports betting to take place at all.
If this does become an option in the state, here are the top betting options you are likely to see:
Legal Online Casinos
South Carolina has strict rules in place when it comes to casinos, and you won’t have online or in-person options available. There have been cruise ships that offer casino-style gaming in South Carolina, but all of the action takes place in international waters.
Since casino-style gambling is prohibited in South Carolina, it seems likely that online casino gambling will be that way as well. The state could technically offer online casinos first, but it will be difficult without commercial casinos available.
Legal Online Poker
Poker is illegal in South Carolina, but there is no mention of online poker being illegal. Even though online poker is not included in the current laws, you aren’t going to see any online poker sites attempting to launch in South Carolina.
This has never been discussed by lawmakers in the state, and it is viewed in the same way as online casino gambling. It is not likely that online poker sites will be launching in South Carolina anytime soon.
How to Set Up a South Carolina Online Gambling Account
Setting up an online gambling account will be the first step for bettors if this becomes an option in South Carolina. Any new forms of gambling would be extremely exciting for residents of the state, but there is a process that would have to happen before a bet can be placed.
Setting up a South Carolina online gambling account will be easy, and it won’t be long before you are able to make wagers. You simply must enter personal information, create an account, and then make a payment.
These online gambling sites will need to verify your identity, and you will be required to enter some personal information. This information must be filled in accurately to ensure that your identity can be verified.
From that point, choosing a username and password is another extremely important step. You will want to pick something that only you will know, but also choose the information that you won’t easily forget.
After you are able to log in to the site, you can then visit the banking section to make your first deposit.
South Carolina Banking Methods
While the gambling laws in South Carolina have not progressed at all since the early 1800s, banking at online gambling sites has shown tremendous progress in the last five years. Banking options used to be limited to only a couple of choices, but that is no longer the case.
Companies such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill have greatly improved online banking methods, and this also speeds up the process as well. Money can be sent quickly and easily by linking accounts.
If you win money at an online gambling site, you no longer have to wait a week or two before those winnings show up at your door. Requesting a check by mail is usually still an option, but it is not one that is usually used.
By the time South Carolina does approve and launch online gambling, there will likely be even more banking methods and options to choose from.
The Future of Online Gambling in South Carolina
There are only a handful of states that prohibit all forms of gambling, and South Carolina is included in that group. The future of online gambling doesn’t look promising, but this could always change at any time.
As more and more surrounding states begin to expand gaming options, South Carolina will feel pressure to join the club. Sports betting has already been discussed, and that could ultimately lead to more options.
