South Carolina bettors or interested bettors are getting antsy. They saw their neighbors in the North recently legalize sports betting, yet they don’t have legal options. So what gives?
Keep on reading for an in-depth guide to South Carolina’s betting scene — when legalization is likely, but more importantly, what bettors can do right now to get action. This is important stuff so stick with us to get completely up to speed with betting in South Carolina.
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Quick South Carolina Facts
State | South Carolina |
---|---|
⚖️ Sports Betting Laws | ❌Not Available |
👫 Population | 5 Million |
👶 Minimum Gambling Age | 18 Years Old |
🏙️ Retail Sports Betting | ❌Not Available |
🌐 Online Sports Betting | ❌Not Available |
📱 Mobile Sports Betting | ❌Not Available |
🐎 Online Horse Betting | ❌Not Available |
🏆 DFS | ✅ Available |
Is Sports Betting Legal In South Carolina?
South Carolina does NOT have legal betting. Though, they’ve tried multiple times in the past and gotten close, but no cigar. Get this, four bills in four different years have been created to legalize it. The most recent attempt in 2023 stalled out in the House.
It feels like there’s some pressure on the state to get going on this though. Things are too close for South Carolina lawmakers and bettors alike to not think, “why not us?”
Still, South Carolina bettors are not left out of betting just because their state representatives can’t figure something out. No, they can bet right now through offshore sports betting sites. These work perfectly fine in the state because they are operated in foreign locations — this abides to those rules, not South Carolina’s. We’d argue these sites are even better options than licensed apps too. Keep on reading and we’ll dig more into why we think that is.
Latest South Carolina Legal Betting Updates
Dec 17, 2024 09:18 AM
While sports gambling remains largely illegal in South Carolina, the state may soon face pressure to crack down on online betting sites, as seen in other states.
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of South Carolina Sports Betting Efforts
Here's a timeline of events that have happened stateside as it relates to legalization:
Best Sportsbooks In Each Category in South Carolina
Best overall | |
---|---|
Best bonuses | BetUS |
Most unique bonuses | BetNow |
Top VIP program | MyBookie |
Best reputation | |
Best sportsbook | BetOnline |
Best casino | Everygame |
Best mobile app | XBet |
Best for live betting | Everygame |
Best for new players | |
Best up-and-coming sportsbook | XBet |
Top 7 South Carolina Sports Betting Sites
Offshore betting sites are rampant. Perhaps too rampant making it hard to South Carolina bettors to pick just one. That’s why we’ve done the dirty work and picked out the seven best sites around. We'll explain what makes these so standout soon, but here’s a quick list:
- Bovada - User-friendly interface and reliable mobile betting experience.
- BetOnline - Competitive odds and early line releases.
- BetUS - Extensive range of betting bonuses that pay big time.
- XBet - Really top-notch mobile betting app.
- BetNow - Generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for regular players.
- Everygame - Long-standing reputation and multi-language support for international bettors.
- MyBookie - Innovative rewards program for long-term betting.
#1 Bovada
#2 BetOnline
#3 BetUS
#4 XBet
#5 BetNow
#6 Everygame
#7 MyBookie
Latest South Carolina Betting News
Where Are Sportsbooks Like Fanduel, DraftKings, Caesars?
These big-name bookmakers are nowhere to be found in South Carolina. This is because these bookies need a license to legally operate — or else they’ll be at major risk in jurisdictions that DO allow betting. These operators won’t risk losing those legal licenses just to play in South Carolina illegally. No way, they’ll just wait for legalization to happen.
That means offshore betting sites are pretty much the only online betting options for South Carolina residents. You could always find a real bookie in person, but this could lead you to some sketchy places. It’s best to stick with our suggested sites since they are tried and true.
Betting On Politics, Esports, Entertainment In South Carolina
Here’s a major reason why we’re so behind offshore sportsbooks: they offer more betting markets. Only at offshore sites can you bet on the presidential election results, entertainment award shows, and even WWE outcomes.
These betting markets are not available at regulated sportsbooks. Even in states with legalized betting, these wagers are outlawed by all regulators. Why? Because they’re not true sporting outcomes. Dumb rule if we do say so ourselves. Still, none of these rules apply at offshore bookies.
Betting Apps In South Carolina
Mobile is the preferred way to bet for most bettors these days. We get it too, there’s a convenience factor to being able to wager whenever and wherever — the bar, at work, in traffic, on the toilet, and so on. This is why we have an entire guide to betting apps. It’s like this page in terms of depth, but centered on getting the best mobile betting experience possible!
Start Betting In South Carolina Today — Our Guides
Betting is considered a game of chance legal-wise, but don’t get it twisted, it’s very much a game of skill too. That’s why we have guides for bettors wanting to sharpen their skills. This is must-read stuff if you actually want to be successful at this:
- Top Betting Tips — want to make money wagering? Read this!
- Best Sports Betting Strategies — the above article is a college 101 class to this one, which take your betting to the next level!
- How Do Odds Work — self-explanatory here, learn everything there is to know about understanding betting odds.
- Types of Sports Bets — a complete primer to the various types of sports betting forms.
- Betting Odds Calculator — calculate how much money a bet or parlay pays out
Payment Methods Available For South Carolina Sportsbooks
Offshore betting sites accept the most common payment methods, which include the following:
- VISA — the co-most popular card accepted on betting sites.
- Mastercard — the other co-most popular card across the betting landscape.
- Bitcoin — the payment method that'll earn you the most free play.
- Bank wire — the tried-and-true payment method.
Worth noting: only offshore betting sites allow crypto. Here again, licensed bookmakers are barred from doing such a thing. Crypto payments settle faster, cost cheaper, and also score special bonuses at most offshore betting sites, giving them another major advantage over licensed competitors.
South Carolina Casinos & Resorts
Betting on South Carolina Sports Teams
The Clemson Tigers are easily the most popular sports team based out of South Carolina. Their college football program has dominated most of this century with two different national title wins.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are another popular college football program in the state. They aren’t as popular as the Tigers but they play in the vaunted SEC against top-line competition.
South Carolina has no professional sports teams. Though, many locals like North Carolina-based teams like the Panthers and Hornets.
Other Types Of Betting In South Carolina
It’s not just sports betting that’s outlawed in South Carolina. So too are casinos (unless it's the riverboat one we mentioned) and horse racing. Options for the two are completely banned — unless you’re using an offshore betting site, that is.
So what is bet-able in South Carolina? Well, there’s a state-run lottery (with funds benefiting education). While we were writing this page, we noticed the Powerball prize was above $40 million.
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is also sort of allowed. We say sort of because it’s in a grey area in South Carolina. It’s not explicitly legal, but by the same token, it’s not explicitly illegal, either. But it’s more legal than not because DFS games are open in the state. Just head to DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, or another similar app to get in on the fun while it lasts.
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
South Carolina isn't the only state we have a complete guide to. Here's a quick list of other state pages we have up and running:
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Responsible Gaming In South Carolina
Responsible gaming is essential for South Carolina bettors, whether you’re playing through offshore sites or this thing ever gets legalized. The thrill of betting is undeniable, but it’s crucial to keep it in check. One of the best ways to do that is by setting clear limits for yourself — decide ahead of time how much money and time you’re willing to spend on betting, and stick to those limits no matter what. The latter will end up being the hardest part, trust us.
When you start dipping into funds you hadn’t planned to use, it can quickly snowball into a bigger problem. That “one more bet” can lead to another, and before you know it, you’ve spent more than you intended, leading to stress and financial strain. This is why it’s so important to stick to the limits you’ve set from the beginning, no matter how tempting it might be to do more. The thrill of the moment isn’t worth the potential consequences.
We hope it never gets to this point, but if betting ever does stop being fun, there are resources out there. We’ve included three underneath that are nationally available:
Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.
These links are specific to South Carolina:
South Carolina Gambling Helpline (https://scgambleresources.com)
A 24/7 confidential helpline (1-877-452-5155) offering support, information, and referrals to treatment services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction in South Carolina.
South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services – Gambling Addiction Resources (https://www.daodas.sc.gov)
Provides resources, counseling, and treatment referrals for individuals and families affected by problem gambling in South Carolina.
Gamblers Anonymous South Carolina (https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations/state/south%20carolina)
Offers meeting information and support for individuals seeking help with gambling addiction.