Is Online Gambling Legal in South Carolina?
South Carolina remains one of the most limited states when it comes to gambling. There are no land-based or tribal casinos, and casino cruises can operate only when they reach international waters. Horse race betting and poker rooms are prohibited, and the authorities are not planning to legalize sports betting in the foreseeable future. While online gambling in South Carolina is restricted, it allows charitable bingo and the state lottery, and locals can still take part in sweepstakes and social casinos.
| Gambling Type | Legal | Minimum age | Who regulates |
|---|
| Online casinos | No | - | - |
| Social casinos | Yes | 18+ | South Carolina Code of Laws |
| Sweepstakes casinos | Yes | 18+ | South Carolina Code of Laws |
| Bingo | Yes | 18+ | SCDOR |
| Lottery | Yes | 18+ | SCEL |
| Online poker | No | - | - |
| Sports betting | No | - | - |
| Daily fantasy sports | No | - | - |
Overview of the Best Sweepstakes Casino Sites in SC
While online casinos remain illegal in the Palmetto State, residents can try sweepstakes or social platforms with thousands of games, rewarding bonuses, and a chance of winning real money. Based on our research, the top sweepstakes casinos in South Carolina are Wow Vegas, Sportzino, and Moonspin.
When joining this sweepstakes casino South Carolina players become a part of a 2-million-member community led by Paris Hilton, the brand’s ambassador. Launched in 2021, it hosts almost 2,000 titles, including jackpot slots and table games. In 2025, WoW Vegas was awarded the Best Social Casino of the Year. Apart from a generous welcome bonus, WoW Vegas has multiple Quick Buy packages from $4.99 to $899.00, a generous referral program, and a rewarding loyalty scheme. However, the highest VIP levels are by invitation only.
Pros
- A generous welcome package with WoW and Sweeps Coins
- Over 1,900 casino-style games, including exclusive titles like Buffalo Blast, Beast Fishooter, and Fortune Llama
- A variety of supported payment methods, including Visa, American Express, Apple Pay, and Skrill
Cons
- Joining the community chat requires identity verification
This SC online casino and sportsbook is known to many South Carolinians for its generous promo schemes, great game selection, and fast redemption. Sportzino covers all major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, and hosts proprietary games that can’t be found elsewhere. There’s also a decent selection of high-roller games like Crown & Diamonds, 3 China Pots, VIP League, and others. Sportzino also hosts multiple ongoing promotions, including Mystery Coupons, the 3 Oaks Tournament, the VIP Program, and the Refer-a-Friend scheme. It also gives away free coins for daily login and joining social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and Reddit).
Pros
- A generous welcome bonus without any deposits
- New games added each week
- Native Android app with over 100,000 downloads and 4.6/5 ranking
Cons
- Only three supported payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
When looking for a rewarding and good-looking social online casino SC players often turn to Moonspin. It has a memorable cosmic theme, a quick Google sign-up, and a Spanish-language website. Moonspin hosts over 1,000 popular games, including such proprietary titles as Crash, Dice, Wheel of Fortune, HiLo, and When Moon Bro. While the welcome package is smaller compared to WoW Vegas and Sportzino, there’s a Daily Login bonus and a Weekly Coins challenge. South Carolinians can also benefit from a helpful blog with tips, predictions, and guidelines.
Pros
- A Weekly Coins Challenge with a massive prize pool
- 24 software developers: BGaming, Playnetic, EvoPlay, 3 Oaks, and others
Cons
- Doesn’t have a downloadable mobile app
How to Start Playing at South Carolina Casinos?
While online casino gambling is still prohibited in South Carolina, residents can play at sweepstakes and social websites. The registration process is somewhat similar to real money brands and consists of only four steps:
- Pick a sweepstakes casino on our website and press the green Play Now button to be redirected to the website.
- Insert requested details: username, password, birth date, phone number, etc.
- Confirm that you are of legal age and accept T&Cs.
- Complete your registration by entering the verification code or clicking the verification link sent to you via text message or email.
Many social online casinos in South Carolina offer registration via Facebook and Google. Instead of inserting the details manually, you sign up with your existing account, significantly increasing registration speed.
To try real money gambling, some residents use offshore casinos. But since they are unregulated in South Carolina, there’s no way to recover your money if issues arise. Instead, choose legitimate sweepstakes casinos that safeguard your information and resolve disputes.
Veronica Foster, Casino Analyst
What Bonuses Can You Find?
Even though South Carolina online casino sites are free, they still offer a variety of bonuses that make the gameplay even more fun and rewarding. In the following paragraphs, we want to share our favorite online casino bonuses that can be found at WoW Vegas, Sportzino, Moonspin, and other sweepstakes casinos in the Palmetto State.
Welcome Packages
A casino welcome bonus is a promotion that aims to attract new players, increase engagement, and stand out in the market. At sweepstakes casinos, welcome packages usually consist of Gold and Sweeps coins, which can be redeemed after completing the wagering requirements. For example, Sportzino offers 170,000 GC and 7 SC simply for creating an account.
First Purchase Bonuses
Once the welcome bonus is claimed, players are often offered a First Purchase deal that typically includes additional coins. As a rule, first purchase bonuses cost around $5-$10. This South Carolina online casino bonus allows players to explore games and increase bets without spending extra money.
No Deposit Bonuses
At the best sweepstakes casinos South Carolina players can also come across no deposit bonuses. As the name suggests, these bonuses don’t require any money and can be given on a wide range of occasions. A South Carolina casino online may provide this promo for players who subscribe to newsletters or emails, participate in social media campaigns, or invite friends to play.
Daily Login Rewards
When joining online gambling sites South Carolina residents may also expect various promotions for logging in each day. These rewards usually consist of non-cashable Gold Coins and are awarded automatically upon login. Rewards may increase with consecutive logins, and missing a day may reset the streak.
Online Casino Games Available in South Carolina
One of the things that distinguishes the best South Carolina online gambling sites from mediocre ones is the size and variety of their game lobbies. In the sections below, we want to tell you about the most popular online casino games and categories on the market. Try them all to see which one you like the most.
Online Slots
Slots are simple, fun, and rewarding games where players spin the reels in hopes of landing a winning combination. They come in wide varieties, from traditional 3-reel slots to branded machines and progressive jackpot games. The most popular South Carolina online slots you can try at WoW Vegas are Wild Wick, Ghost Pigger, Boomie Boom, and Phoenix Fireburst.Video poker
If you want to play casino games with more impact on the outcome, but still enjoy speed and a simple user experience, video poker might be precisely what you need. It is a combination of slots and poker, where you play against a computer, not a real person. While online poker sites are illegal in South Carolina, this category may become a great alternative.Table games
Unlike slots, where you can’t influence outcomes, table games allow you to think logically and apply various strategies. They also have a lower house edge, which is highly beneficial in cash games. For example, at Moonspin, you can play Blackjack Lucky 7, American Roulette, Sic Bo, and other exciting titles.Live dealer games
If you like to play table games but miss the atmosphere of in person casinos, consider the live dealer category. These games are streamed from actual studios and hosted by experienced dealers, who make the process smooth and convenient. Sportzino, for example, has a separate live dealer section featuring popular titles such as Grand Bonus Baccarat, Teen Patti, and Golden Mirage Roulette.
Payment Methods Available for South Carolina Players
When playing at a sweepstakes online casino in South Carolina, you don’t have to spend any money, since these platforms operate on a free-to-play model. Still, if you choose to buy extra coins or redeem your winnings, it’s essential to know which payment methods work best for you. The Lucky Gamblers team has tested several options and is ready to share the safest and fastest processors.
- Credit/debit cards remain the most common payment methods among casino players. They are fast, simple to use, and have strong consumer protection. Some cards have reward programs, so you can exchange points for physical gifts or receive cashback. Sportzino, for example, accepts major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
- For South Carolina gambling online, e-wallets offer a secure and quick way to move funds without sharing your card details. They offer one-tap payments, native mobile apps, and additional layers of protection, as your card number stays hidden. If you prefer digital wallets, pick WoW Vegas, which supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Skrill.
- Some players prefer cryptocurrencies for their instant transactions, low fees, and lack of intermediaries. USDT, BTC, ETH, and other coins have advanced privacy without involving banks directly. Yet, their prices are volatile, and acceptance at South Carolina casinos is limited.
Are Online Casinos Legal in South Carolina?
According to South Carolina’s online gambling laws, real money casinos are not legal. However, residents can choose one of the sweepstakes and social casinos to stay on the safe side. They operate on a free-to-play model, but you can redeem coins after meeting specific requirements.
South Carolina’s Gambling Laws
South Carolina has a very restrictive approach to gambling, allowing only charitable bingo and state lotteries. The first is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and the second by the South Carolina Education Lottery, launched in 2002. SCEL offers various options, including Pick 4, scratch cards, and national lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball.
In contrast, North Carolina allows sports betting and fantasy sports and has three legal gambling venues. Iowa is also more permissive, offering a wide range of legal online casinos that run on a sweepstakes model. It also allows online poker, sports betting, and horse racing.
Daily Fantasy Sports
While games of chance are illegal and considered gambling, Fantasy Sports are largely based on the player’s knowledge of professional athletes. Players use their knowledge to create fantasy teams. Therefore, many states consider DFS legal and a game of skill. South Carolina currently does not regulate DFS, but this could change.
Lottery
The South Carolina lottery might be one of the only forms of true gambling available in the state. The South Carolina Education Lottery was founded in 2002 (ratified in 2011), and all of its proceeds go toward funding different education incentives in the state. The state participates in various multi-state draws, including Mega Millions and Powerball.
Sports Betting
Sports betting remains illegal both in person and online. There are currently no casinos and no sportsbooks that offer betting options. In addition, there are no online sports betting sites that allow participants to place wagers on the outcome of games.
South Carolina Taxes on Gambling Winnings
As we previously mentioned, the only legal gambling options in South Carolina are bingo and lotteries. So what should residents do when they win real money? For bingo, cash prizes exceeding $500 are subject to a 7% tax. If you win $1,000 or more, the promoter should also report your name, address, and SSN to the tax authorities. Lottery prizes are also subject to the SC state income tax if the amount exceeds $500.
If South Carolinians have gambling winnings from another state, they are generally taxed by both states. Gambling losses can be deducted up to the amount of reported winnings. We recommend documenting all your winnings and losses to ensure accurate reporting and to resolve any disputes that may arise.
When will SC Legalize Online Casinos?
Online sportsbooks and real money casinos in South Carolina remain illegal. Although there have been multiple attempts at online casino legalization, the idea has faced resistance from representatives of both parties. Timeline:
- January 2021: A House Bill 3395, which aims to legalize gambling, was introduced.
- April 2022: A House Bill 5277 tried to allow online and offline sports betting, but failed.
- December 2024: Lawmakers introduced House Bill 3625 to establish a legal framework for interactive sports wagering.
- March 2025: The Senate introduced SB 444, similar to HB 3625, but it is still pending.
Currently, the future of South Carolina online casinos doesn’t look bright, as none of the introduced bills have made it out to the committee. The Palmetto State continues to take a conservative stance on simplifying and expanding online gambling laws.
Land Based Casinos in South Carolina
As of 2025, brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as horse racing and retail sports betting venues, are illegal in South Carolina. There are only two options for residents who seek offline gambling activities: bingo halls and the lottery, both strictly regulated. Licensed non-profit charitable or religious organizations should operate bingo events and lottery draws by the South Carolina Education Lottery.
Responsible Gambling
When playing table and instant win games or engaging in online sports betting, always act responsibly and use one of the tools offered by casinos. They include setting deposit and loss limits, opting for reality checks, taking cooling-off periods, or excluding yourself from gambling platforms. These measures aim to protect South Carolinians, promote mindful play, and prevent problem gambling and addiction development. At Moonspin, for example, players can scroll down to view the Responsible Gameplay Policy, which includes educational information, self-assessment tools, and other valuable details.
If you or your loved ones experience compulsive behaviors or notice signs of addiction, consider turning to the National Council on Problem Gambling, Quit Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous, or the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health. They provide anonymous help 24/7 through live chat and phone.
Conclusion
South Carolina remains one of the strictest states regarding games of chance. Local laws prohibit all forms of gambling, both online and offline, except charitable bingo and the state lottery. However, this ban doesn’t apply to sweepstakes casinos, where residents can play thousands of games and get massive rewards. For example, WoW Vegas has almost 2,000 games, some of which are developed exclusively for the brand, and Moonspin offers a variety of ongoing promotions and purchase packages to extend gameplay and earn more rewards.
The Lucky Gambler team tracks all legislative updates, so if something changes in South Carolina, you’ll be among the first to find out.
