Sports Betting South Carolina: No Legal SC Online Sportsbooks
In this article, you can find up-to-date information about the legal situation with sports betting South Carolina. Learn the historical background of gambling in the state, what is the current status, and future plans. Learn whether online betting is allowed, prohibited, or in the middle!
- This Site Contains:
- Sports Betting Status in South Carolina
- History of SC Sports Betting
- Future Plan for Industry Development in South Carolina
South Carolina is the second most restrictive state when it comes to gambling or betting of any kind. Although many residents see the light in the tunnel, change is unlikely in the coming years. The Palmetto Family efforts to stop any development in this direction seem to be working.
The state has never been a friend to gambling! From a local perspective, it destroys families, creates addictions, and hurts the economy. The Government makes no difference between public and private games. Even after the PASPA’s revoke in 2018, South Carolina remained rather passive. However, the future looks promising!
Legal Status of Online Sports Betting in South Carolina
Online sports betting South Carolina is not legal according to the current state’s laws. Residents and guests are not allowed to place wagers on any events, including horse and greyhound races. Off-track betting is also prohibited. The Palmetto State provides lottery games, bingo, and regular casino cruise ships.
Legal Forms of Betting for South Carolina Residents
There are no legal sports betting South Carolina sites for the time being. The state prohibits almost all forms of gambling as well. However, there is no law regulating or banning online gaming and betting. Theoretically, punters can use offshore sites, but with no legal defense against scammers!
Furthermore, the South Carolina laws make no difference between land-based and online gambling. Convicted individuals may face time in prison and hefty fines. If you are a resident or guest of South Carolina, better head for the state’s lottery, raffles, or bingo. In the next section, we’ll introduce all alternatives!
Casino Cruise Ships & Sportsbooks in South Carolina
South Carolina is not a home for any land-based casinos! Many other states which also prohibit gambling and sports betting allow such structures on native Indian territories. Well, the National Indian Gaming Association isn’t operating here. However, there is a small exception to the rule – cruise ships!
The sports gambling South Carolina fans can book trips in interstate waters on one of the four boats and play casino games. They depart from Charleston and Little River, and gambling is allowed only when they leave SC waters. Punters will find plenty of slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker games!
Daily Fantasy Sports in South Carolina
Daily Fantasy Sports are pretty similar to traditional sports betting, with one huge difference – they are not part of UIGEA. DFS are games of skill, not luck, and therefore, are not considered gambling. They are a legal form of gaming and surely will be part of any sportsbook South Carolina.
The most popular Fantasy Sports are football, soccer, motorsports, and horse races. Players have their own assets, train them, and participate in various leagues, championships, and tournaments. The Daily variant is a quicker form of that, allowing players to share the prize pot at the end of the day!
Floating Poker Rooms in South Carolina
As mentioned earlier, cruise ships are the only option for sports gambling in South Carolina. Visitors can find plenty of games in their halls, including poker tables. This is an interesting game since players play against themselves and not the House. Casino Hold’Em is the most popular variant!
The House earns from the rake! This is the commission from every hand collected by the House. It may reach 10% and is usually illegal if it’s not practiced by licensed and regulated operators. There are no charity poker tournaments in South Carolina and no privately organized games by any means!
| Betting Type | Legal | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|
| 🏈 Online Sports Betting | No | None |
| 🎰 Online Casinos | No | None |
| ⚾ Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | None |
| 🏢 Land-Based Casinos | No | None |
| 🏨 Land-Based Sportsbooks | No | None |
| 🃏 Poker Rooms | No | None |
| 🏇 Racetrack Betting | No | None |
| 🎫 State-Sponsored Lottery | Yes | South Carolina Lottery Commission |
Offshore Bookies & Casinos in South Carolina
Online sports betting in the state is unregulated, unsafe, and illegal! The South Carolina residents have access to many offshore sites offering gambling games and wagering on sports. They look trustworthy by having foreign licenses! Even so, these operators are not regulated in the US, and therefore, could be dangerous.
Moreover, scam companies use the chaos in the country created by the PASPA repeal. Some states already licensed online wagering, while others are at different stages of legalizing it. Fraudulent sites use that to attract users and make them register. These bookmakers never pay and may sell your personal information!
Pending Legal Sports Betting in South Carolina
Sports betting South Carolina has been heavily discussed after the US Supreme Court revoked PASPA in 2018. Only a year after the Palmetto Forum was founded! Its sole purpose was to identify any pros of bringing sports betting into the state. And to evaluate in detail all cons, of course!
Although the SC community has always been against betting and gambling, around 65% of the residents said that they’ll support such an initiative. People seem to be interested in this pastime opportunity. Nevertheless, the state’s lottery, non-profit bingo, and several strictly controlled games are the only available options for now.
Lawmakers filed a bill concerning sports betting in the state in 2019 and 2020. They were both rejected with strong opposition from the state’s Governor. However, these shots have shown that bringing gambling to South Carolina is not impossible. Pending is the correct definition of the current situation!
The success of the betting-friendly state of North Carolina and the huge interest in cruise boats show that the project isn’t an empty bet. Opening more jobs and creating a new source of revenue for the state must also be considered. Moreover, a regulated environment is better for gamblers!
Previous Calls for Legalization
Online sports betting South Carolina was never on the map for legalization. Actually, the state has no laws or rules for regulating offshore sportsbooks. Frankly speaking, online betting can’t be a reason for prosecuting exactly because of that. Nevertheless, the local authorities don’t think that way.
The state doesn’t stimulate gambling because of the bad experience in the past. In the ’90s, video poker was not just allowed in South Carolina, but thousands of machines were scattered everywhere. All of them were shut down in 2000 after being ruled unconstitutional by the state’s Supreme Court.
The state’s Education Lottery was established in 2002, but again no call for legal sports betting South Carolina. Almost a couple of decades later, the US Supreme Court cleared the way giving many jurisdictions to decide whether they want gambling on their territory or not!
The neighboring state of North Carolina took the initiative and legalized sports betting. The interested parties southwards decided to push the House by founding the Palmetto Forum and proposing a bill for legalization too. As expected, the result was different, and both bills, in 2019 and 2020, were quickly rejected!
Current Status
The current status of sports gambling South Carolina is unclear, especially if we focus on online betting. Democrats proposed the legalization bills in most states, and given the Republican majority, such documents are difficult to pass. At least, in South Carolina, a state with draconic measures in terms of gambling.
Still, with the support of such a massive group of residents, everything is possible. People have many reasons to believe that a change will be beneficial. The current health and economic crisis are bringing some families to the edge. On the other hand, many people play on unregulated betting sites.
- Increased tax revenue
- More jobs in South Carolina
- Safer betting environment
- Potential regulatory issues
- Potential for increases in gambling addiction
- Won’t eliminate scam betting sites
Todd Rutherford, a Democrat and a Minority Leader in South Carolina’s House, made the first proposal at the end of 2018. He suggested full or partial legalization of gambling, sports, and horse betting. The bill had to be acted on the next year, but even then, it was stopped.
Shane Massey, the Senate Majority Leader, said that more information needs to be gathered before making such a decision. He gave the example of the unsuccessful video poker experiment in the past. However, the wind of change is already being felt in South Carolina, and the future looks bright.
The Outlook
A quick and unconditional legalization of sports betting South Carolina would be surprising! The state has the harshest laws in this regard, with the only exception of Utah. The online betting sites and land-based sportsbooks didn’t have much of a chance of being stigmatized for decreasing residents’ morale. So, why now?
South Carolina laws haven’t been fundamentally changed in the last couple of centuries. One of the ways to fight crime is to bring it to light. Legalizing online bookmakers and sports betting, in general, will decrease the grey area. Lawmakers look ready for another attempt and the chances are encouraging.
What Legal Online Sports Betting Would Look Like in South Carolina
If online sports betting South Carolina is legalized, we can expect the same development as in other states. Perhaps, it will be regulated by the state’s Lottery Commission as the authority already has some experience. It will be responsible for issuing licenses, investigating cases, and imposing penalties.
Sports betting online is a great way to increase the state’s tax revenue significantly. Investments will be in building high-performing administrative bodies rather than in infrastructure. Bookmakers will take care of the rest – online platforms, mobile applications, payment systems, etc. The control is what lawmakers have to be worried about.
If the sector is finally legal, the wagers will bring fresh revenue to the South Carolina budget. Taxes on earnings of both sides, operators, and punters, are unavoidable. For the time being, the federal tax on gambling is 24%, and every state has the right to apply additional taxation.
For example, North Carolina has a rate of 8%. Federal Law obliges all operators to provide their customers with a W-2G form if winnings exceed $600. South Carolina collects a 7% withhold tax for $500+ lottery winnings. The online sportsbooks have the potential to generate millions in state revenue!
Future Plans for Online Betting Legalization in South Carolina
The legal sports betting South Carolina status will be discussed again in 2022 since the state’s residents majority obviously support it. However, the reluctance of the ruling Republicans will make accepting such a proposal too difficult. Eventually, it’ll happen, as Senator Shane Massey said, but when is a different question.
Differences Between Online & In-Person Betting
In addition, punters can cancel their tickets. It’s a service still unavailable on gambling sites. All wagers are final, although some operators provide special features that may help you if you make a mistake. The early cash-outs, for example, allow you to close a bet before it’s settled.
Undoubtedly, the best sportsbook South Carolina sites will offer other extras, like in-play wagering, same-game parlays, and live streaming. Only the last one is available in some facilities where you can place your wagers in person. Sports bars and racetracks often offer their visitors large flat screens.
In such places, punters can appreciate the biggest advantage of in-person gambling – the social contact. You can communicate freely with other people sharing your passion. You can exchange tips, information, and thoughts. The online operators compensate with promotions, big hefty bonuses, and loyalty programs. Another reason to use their services!
If we look at online sports betting in a nutshell, the biggest advantages are better odds, higher payouts, bonuses, more markets, and wagering options. The available events online can hardly be compared even with the best land-based sportsbooks. These sites are often accessible via desktop and mobile devices!
You can organize your Bet Slip in a few minutes and finish it in a couple of clicks. Something often impossible in the retail shops. Even if we exclude the traveling factor, punters need more time to get their tickets. Payouts and especially withdrawals are also faster and safer!
The legalization of online sports gambling would be the best decision for players. Indeed, it may be the reason for a betting spike in the community, but proper regulation can control the risk. At the same time, bettors will do what they love in a safer environment.
They can raise disputes and seek legal defense if necessary. Their winnings are guaranteed, and sportsbooks can’t afford fraud or vicious practices. Something we see as a common issue with the black market books acting in the South Carolina grey area. The state can use the revenue for community purposes.
Eventually, punters will have to decide individually whether in-person or online betting is the better option. If we have to summarize the pros and cons of both, sites are way ahead. They are open 24/7, and you can count on reliable customer support and plenty of payment methods.
The severe competition drifts the biggest bookies to apply lower margins, and therefore, provides better conditions. On the flip side, the personal touch really matters. Perhaps the best option would be a mix between online and in-person wagering. In any way, residents of South Carolina could use more liberal laws.
History of Online Sports and Other Forms of Gambling in South Carolina
Today, it’s difficult to believe that sports betting South Carolina sites have a future. The bitter taste of the video poker machines is still alive and reminds the residents how fragile the mental balance could be. For such a restrictive state, in terms of betting, there are too many alternative options.
Playing lottery games is regulated by the South Carolina Lottery Commission, which also takes care of raffles and bingo. Charitable gaming was legalized in Palmetto State in 1976. Although the tribal gambling pacts were rejected, punters can buy a ticket for one of the casino cruise ships.
PASPA or the Bradley Act was enacted by the 102nd United States Congress in 1992. Sports gambling, in any form, was prohibited on the territory of the United States. In 2018, the US Supreme Court revoked PASPA, ruling that it is against the Constitution, opening the door for legalization.
Each state is now free to proceed or not with the establishment of a regulated market. New Jersey was one of the first to take advantage and let massive online bookmakers in. But despite all this, South Carolina will probably be among the last states to legalize online betting.
Licensing Requirements if Online Betting is Legalized
The potential legalization of online sports betting South Carolina will mean that the market will be regulated, and operators can apply for a license. The committee responsible for issuing those permits could be the state’s Attorney General or Lottery Commission. The respective authority will have to control all involved subjects.
Companies applying for licenses will need to fulfil certain requirements. The playing platforms need to be safe, chances to punters, fair, and banking secure. The sports gambling license is issued for a definite period of time – one or more years. Licensing fees and taxes are collectible by the same authority.
The only way for players staying safe when gambling online is by using licensed and regulated sites. Sadly, that is impossible for the time being since legal sports betting South Carolina is still a dream. Using the services of black-market operators is reckless, and you don’t have any legal recourse.
They are illegal according to UIGEA and you can’t raise a dispute. Even if you do, the result may be against you. On the one hand, authorities can’t charge the sportsbooks, and on the other, you may face heavy penalties and even time in prison. South Carolina prohibits online wagering!
Black Market Bookmakers Operating in South Carolina
Operating online betting platforms in South Carolina is illegal and so does playing on offshore sites. However, some are providing services to punters from the state. You should know that having access to a service and using it are two different things. Laws in South Carolina prohibits sports betting!
But besides the charges you may face, playing on unlicensed platforms can also be dangerous. They are not regulated, and therefore, you can’t expect a legal recourse if you raise disputes. The highlighted illegal online betting sites in South Carolina, in this table, have foreign licenses.
Even so, they have no power in the United States, so we get back to the starting point. The unregulated betting sites can be scams as well. They can refuse to pay if you win, or worse. Your data is unprotected on their platforms, and these fraudulent companies may decide to sell it.
The theft of personal data has been one of the most common crimes in the last several years. Trusting anonymous sites is never a good idea! Take a good look at the platforms here. We are not saying that these brands are scams, but they are illegal at the time of writing.
- ⛔️ 1XBet
- ⛔️ Bovada
- ⛔️ BetOnline
- ⛔️ BetDSI
- ⛔️ SportsBetting.ag
- ⛔️ CarbonGaming.ag
- ⛔️ MyBookie
- ⛔️ BetUS
- ⛔️ Xbet
- ⛔️ 22bet
- ⛔️ 5Dimes
At the Bottom Line – South Carolina Betting Sites are Illegal
Our overview of the sports betting South Carolina status is coming to an end. For now, betting sites are illegal within the state and will continue to be unless the Senate votes differently. There were a couple of bills since PASPA was struck down, but none of them were successful.
Hopefully, we managed to explain all alternatives to online bookmakers. Cruise ships, charitable gaming, and lottery are the only way to gamble of some kind. Until the Daily Fantasy Sports are considered games of skill, they will also remain legal. The rest is prohibited on the territory of South Carolina.
If we have to be punctual, there are no laws in the state containing the words online or sites. Rare amendments leave the offshore bookies in a grey zone between legal and illegal. However, you can be arrested for playing on such platforms and brought to court.
In light of that, we recommend avoiding black-market online sports betting South Carolina sites. If your passion is gambling, buy a cruise ticket and try the Big M boats, Carnival Ecstasy, or Carnival Sunshine. The Palmetto Forum showed that the majority of residents are ready for change, so we remain optimistic!
FAQs
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