Is gambling regulated in South Carolina?

South Carolina doesn’t offer regulated gambling, though they are able to operate on waters.

Is Bovada regulated in South Carolina?

Bovada is regulated and available in South Carolina because it is based offshore.

How many casinos are in South Carolina?

There are four casinos currently operating in South Carolina

What is the best South Carolina sportsbook?

We recommend several great ones on this page. Bovada is one of the favorites in the state.

Sports Betting in South Carolina

Q: Is sports betting legal in South Carolina?

There are no licensed sportsbooks in South Carolina, but offshore sportsbooks can serve SC bettors.

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Overview – Legal Sports Betting in South Carolina Today

Sports betting is not regulated in South Carolina, but online sports betting is still available to citizens through various offshore bookmakers. In fact, it is one of the most anti-gambling states in the entire country.

It does not look like the state will be handing out licenses for sportsbooks within its jurisdiction. This is not all bad news for bettors in South Carolina. The regulatory standards for the sports betting landscape across the country is a markedly more open atmosphere.

State	South Carolina
Sports Betting Law Passed	No ❌
Launch date	N/A
Minimum Gambling Age	18
Online Sports Betting	Yes ✔️
Retail Sports Betting	No ❌
Retail Casinos	No ❌

Top 5 South Carolina Sportsbooks

We take a close look at dozens of sportsbooks that are available in South Carolina. There are many South Carolina sports betting sites, but we only recommend the best. Here are our top five online sportsbooks in South Carolina.

Bonus Value	Bonus Code	Mobile App	Live Streaming	Crypto Deposit	Sign Up
50% up to $250	BV1000	✅	❌	✅	Bet Now
50% up to $250	FREE250	✅	❌	✅	Bet Now
50% up to $200	XBET50	❌	❌	✅	Bet Now
50% up to $250	N/A	❌	❌	❌	Bet Now
50% up to $1,000	MYB50	❌	❌	✅	Bet Now

Bovada

Bovada is available in South Carolina. It is based offshore and can therefore service South Carolina sports bettors without a hitch.

BetOnline

BetOnline has great and accessible live chat. Their customer service reps are always available to solve your problems in the moment.

XBet

XBet is a great option for mobile bettors. Their site benefits from mobile-first design, so that their site automatically fits and works well o whatever device you use to sign in!

SportsBetting.ag

Sportsbetting.ag has great sports betting markets. They have different bet types such as props and lines, but they also cover a wide range of sports.

MyBookie

Use Bitcoin here and you can collect the welcome three times! They come with a 100% match on your initial deposit.

South Carolina Quick Facts

South Carolina maintains strict gambling laws, prohibiting most forms of betting, including sports betting and casinos, with limited exceptions for the state lottery and charitable bingo.

State	South Carolina
Sports Betting Law Passed	No ❌
Launch Date	N/A
Minimum Gambling Age	18
Online Sports Betting	No ❌
Mobile Sports Betting	No ❌
Retail Sportsbooks	No ❌
Tribal Casinos	No ❌
Daily Fantasy Sports	Operates in a legal gray area
Online Casinos	No ❌
Horse Racing	Limited
Dog Racing	No ❌
Esports Betting	No ❌

Last updated on: April 22, 2025

How we review and choose these South Carolina betting sites

When we make our recommendations, we take lots of different criteria into account. Here are four of the most important reasons to bet on these South Carolina sports betting sites.

Available to South Carolina Bettors

First and foremost, these sites must be available to South Carolina bettors. We make sure that you can quickly and easily access these sites, sign up, make deposits and withdrawals.

Welcome Bonuses and Promotions

Welcome bonuses are the largest promotions generally available at these sites. But that is not where our research stops. We look at a variety of promotions such as reload ands rebate promotions.

Sports Markets and Odds

We want markets that cover a lot of sports and that have a wide variety of odds. Of course, thd odds must also be fair for us to enjoy these markets.

Customer Representatives

We want to be able to access customer service agents. They should be professional and friendly as well.

Is Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?

Sports betting is currently illegal in South Carolina. Despite multiple legislative attempts to legalize sports wagering, including the introduction of bills such as HB 3749 in 2023, no legislation has been enacted to permit sports betting within the state.

What Forms of Gambling and Betting Are Legal in South Carolina?

While sports betting remains prohibited, South Carolina allows limited forms of gambling:

State Lottery: Established in 2002, the South Carolina Education Lottery offers various games, including multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions, contributing to educational funding in the state.
Charitable Bingo: Legalized in 1976, bingo is permitted when conducted by licensed charitable organizations, with regulations in place to ensure compliance.
Casino Cruises: The “Big M Casino” operates cruise ships that offer gambling once in international waters, providing an alternative for casino gaming enthusiasts.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DFS operates in a legal gray area; while not explicitly legal or illegal, major DFS operators accept players from South Carolina.

Not Legal in South Carolina:

Traditional Online Sports Betting: All forms of online sports betting are prohibited.
Online Casino Gambling: Illegal under state law.
Online Poker: Not permitted.
Retail Sportsbooks: No physical sportsbooks operate legally within the state.
Commercial Casinos: South Carolina does not have any land-based casinos; gambling establishments are limited to casino cruises that operate in international waters.

South Carolina maintains a conservative stance on gambling, with strict prohibitions on most forms of betting. Residents seeking to engage in gambling activities have limited options within the state and often look to neighboring jurisdictions for more expansive gambling opportunities.

South Carolina Sports Betting – Recent Updates

January 29, 2025 – South Carolina lawmakers are considering a 2025 sports betting bill, but its passage remains uncertain.
December 3, 2024 – South Carolina is taking another shot at legalizing sports betting with the introduction of the South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, positioning itself among the states likely to explore the matter in 2025.
August 5, 2024 – A renewed effort to legalize online sports betting in South Carolina is expected in January, with lawmakers likely facing significant pressure, according to *Statehouse Reports*.
June 10, 2024 – North Carolina’s sports betting handle dipped to $398.2 million in June, its lowest since mobile wagering launched in March. However, total wagers have approached $2 billion in the four months since legalization.
May 19, 2024 – Despite strong advocacy from several sportsbooks to create a sports betting app, legislators have shown little willingness to accommodate their requests.

Casinos in South Carolina

There are only four casinos in South Carolina. Here is the complete list:

Big M Casino Ship
Carnival Ecstasy
Carnival Sunshine
Big M Casino Ship 2

South Carolina Sports Betting Timeline

Things have moved slowly regarding South Carolina sports betting over the years. But, with a vision for the future, there are many lobbyists and elected government officials that are hoping to push sports betting into the mainstream in the coming years.

In order to keep up-to-date with the progress of legalisation in the state, we’ve put together some key articles from the last couple of years. Here is a summary of the history of South Carolina sports betting laws.

2023

Legislative endeavor: South Carolina considers online-only sports betting with HB 3749

The latest legislative effort, HB 3749, seeks inspiration from Tennessee by proposing the legalization of online-only sports betting. Having cleared its initial subcommittee, the bill is currently awaiting evaluation in the Ways and Means Committee, with the potential to progress to the house floor upon approval.

2022

Missed opportunity: South Carolina’s bid for sports betting in 2022

The prospect of legalizing sports betting in South Carolina hung in the balance with House Bill 5277. However, as time ran out for lawmakers to secure approval for online sports betting, insufficient support led to the bill’s demise. This marked the second consecutive year that the state deliberated on the possibility of introducing sports betting legislation.

2021

COVID has slowed down any progress with the bill

While there are many lobbyists in the state that are hoping that we’ll see some change in 2021, the lack of movement from elected officials means it’s unlikely that things will move forward. On top of that, we have endured a few years of COVID and this has also slowed things down considerably according to the Democratic candidate.

2020

House and Senate hope to push HJR 3409 and SJR 57

The House and the Senate entered into a joint effort that would have legalized many sorts of gambling. Casinos and sports betting would have been legalized under this framework.

HJR 3409 and SJR 57 would even have amended South Carolina’s Constitution. However, the bills both died in their very first readings in committee.

Another resolution would have simply called for the creation of a committee to study the effects of sports betting. This also did not happen.

Responsible Gaming in South Carolina

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction in South Carolina, several resources are available to provide support and assistance:

South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS): This state agency offers treatment options for gambling addiction through a network of licensed and accredited service providers. For more information, visit their website: South Carolina DAODAS

National Problem Gambling Helpline: For immediate assistance, you can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. This helpline offers confidential support and can connect you to local resources.

Gamblers Anonymous: This fellowship provides support to individuals seeking to overcome compulsive gambling. To find local meetings and support in South Carolina, visit their website:

Shoreline Behavioral Health Services: Located in Conway, SC, this organization offers gambling addiction services at no cost. For assistance, call (843) 365-8884 or visit their website: shorelinebhs.org

Finally, for more support with gambling addiction in South Carolina, contact the S.C. Gambling Helpline at 1-877-452-5155. This resource provides confidential assistance and information about gambling addiction services available in the state.