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Best South Carolina Online Casinos 2024: Play Legally and Safely!

Veronica Foster Publication byV. Foster

South Carolina has no hope of making online casinos legal now or in the future. In fact, land-based and online casinos are completely banned, making this one of the few states that actively reject bills and laws that could bring legal gambling to the state.

Despite the amount of revenue that gambling could generate in the Palmetto state, it remains to be seen whether South Carolina online casinos or land-based casinos will come to fruition. In the meantime, there are a few forms of legal online gambling and casino games you can take part in.

For instance, Daily Fantasy Sports and social casino sites allow residents to get the thrill of gambling without any legal issues. If you want to play online casino games, it’s best to visit a reputable South Carolina social casino to get in on the fun. For more on this state’s harsh laws against gambling, here’s a quick rundown.

The Best Offers from SC Online Casinos

United States
South Carolina, United States
  • BetRivers.net
    #1 Rank
    BetRivers.net
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    About BetRivers.net
    BetRivers.net

    Since 2016, BetRivers.NET has been a powerhouse in the US social casino scene, offering top-quality games from NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and others. With over 700 slots, live casino games, and ongoing tournaments, it’s a must-visit. All players enjoy automatic enrollment in the loyalty scheme and receive free virtual credits every four hours.

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    • Website us.betrivers.net
    • Established 2016
    • Min deposit $1.99
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    Rating
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    Bonuses
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    Payment Options
    9/10
    Customer Support
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    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    7/10
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    User reviews
    9/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
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  • GoldSlips Casino
    #2 Rank
    GoldSlips Casino
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    5S Coins and 100K Gold Coins
    7.1
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    About GoldSlips Casino
    GoldSlips Casino

    GoldSlips Casino, launched in 2023 and available in most states, is quickly gaining traction as a promising social casino. With a straightforward yet engaging platform, we’re eager to see its expansion in bonuses and promotions. Check out our comprehensive review for insights on gameplay, ratings, and more at GoldSlips.

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    Overview
    Rating
    7.1 / 10
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    6/10
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    7/10
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    Licensing & Safety
    8/10
    User experience
    7/10
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    User reviews
    8/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
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    • ACH
    • PayPal
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  • Huuuge
    #3 Rank
    Huuuge
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    4+ Billion Free Chips
    8.4
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    About Huuuge
    Huuuge

    Huuuge Casino boasts a robust selection of 201 finely crafted games, making it a major player in the social casino scene since its launch in 2014. Powered by Huuuge Games and supported by well-known providers like Aristocrat and Playtech, it offers over 4 billion free chips for linking your Facebook and Apple ID. Don’t miss the welcome bonus upon login. For more details, dive into our full Huuuge Social Casino review.

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    Overview
    Rating
    8.4 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    8/10
    Game Selection
    8/10
    User reviews
    8/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • American Express
    • Discover
    • Apple Pay
    • PayPal
    • +2
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  • Casino4Fun
    #4 Rank
    Casino4Fun
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    8.9
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    About Casino4Fun
    Casino4Fun

    Rush Games Casino4Fun has become a favorite among online social casinos, offering easy account setup and daily virtual coin benefits. Since its 2023 launch, players enjoy jackpot promotions and games ranging from live craps to popular slots crafted by top industry developers. See what our experts at Lucky Gambler have to say about Rush Games Casino4Fun.

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    Overview
    Rating
    8.9 / 10
    Bonuses
    10/10
    Payment Options
    8/10
    Customer Support
    7/10
    Licensing & Safety
    10/10
    User experience
    9/10
    Game Selection
    9/10
    User reviews
    9/10

    Payment methods

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Discover
    • American Express
    21+ | New Player Only - T&C Apply

South Carolina Online Gambling Laws

South Carolina does not authorize any form of real money gambling. This includes gambling online or in person. Sadly, the punishment for participating in such a tournament or game can be quite severe. According to state law, if you participate in any form of gambling and receive a third offense, the punishment can include a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days of imprisonment.

For a first-time offense, the punishment for online gambling or gambling in general is up to 30 days of imprisonment and $100 worth of fines. It’s important to familiarize yourself with South Carolina’s laws before you decide to play casino games illegally.

For instance, online gambling is not allowed for online casinos that accept real money or that issue real money for the outcome of games based on chance. However, there are certain legal online casinos such as social poker sites, social casinos or sweepstakes casinos, and online Daily Fantasy Sports. If you think offshore betting states are legal in South Carolina, know that this is false.

How Does South Carolina Regulate Gambling?

Most states have at least a regulatory body to help take complaints against gambling or regulate the laws surrounding the acceptance of gambling. However, South Carolina is one of the rare states where gambling remains prohibited now and in the near (and even distant) future. Because of this, there are minimal regulatory bodies to help ensure South Carolina is staying compliant with gambling laws.

One possible entity that holds power is the State General Assembly. This is because, in 1999, the state’s supreme court determined that any changes in gambling legislation would fall under their purview. This year brought big changes to the state, allowing river casinos to operate in nearby waters.

Today, the Big “M” Casino still sits in the Little River, away from state jurisdiction. The State Lottery Board also has some power in regulating the state’s lottery. The Board ensures it keeps the integrity of the state lottery, and also aids in handing out scholarships to South Carolina residents. However, it doesn’t participate in choosing which education programs the lottery will fund.

Online Casino Gambling in South Carolina

Online casino gambling in South Carolina isn’t 100% prohibited. While real-money online casinos aren’t allowed to operate in the state, you can still play blackjack games, online slots, and poker, as well as win prizes through sweepstakes casino sites.

These sites operate in a sort of gray area. While South Carolina casinos (online and in person) aren’t allowed to reward players based on chance, this doesn’t mean they can’t issue other types of prizes. Social casinos operate by giving participants free coins, a form of virtual currency, and allowing them to play for free.

In addition to your deposit bonus, you can also purchase and win more coins by winning at social casino games. The more coins players earn, the more they can extend their gameplay. In addition, players can use coins to enter sweepstakes competitions (hence the name sweepstake casino) and win real prizes.

South Carolina Online Poker

Like online casinos, there is no legal form of online poker for real money in South Carolina. However, there are social poker sites that offer free online gaming for poker players. You can win prizes, participate in tournaments, and play for free on these social sites.

South Carolina Daily Fantasy Sports

South Carolina Fantasy Sports are neither legal nor illegal. 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 should they consider DFS unconstitutional.

South Carolina Sports Betting

Like other forms of online gambling, 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 Online Horse Betting

Like sports betting and online casino games, horse betting remains illegal in South Carolina. The state has no forms of legal pari-mutuel betting, and even online sites like TVG don’t allow South Carolina residents to place bets. In addition, there is also no way for South Carolina residents to place advanced deposit wagers, which many states allow.

South Carolina 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.

South Carolina Land-Based Casinos

For those who want to explore South Carolina casinos in person, options are going to be rather limited. The best SC casino site sits on the waters of Little River, away from state jurisdiction. It’s a good idea to explore casinos in neighboring states if you want to play authentic slots. Here are a couple of nearby options for live blackjack, live dealer games, poker, and more.

History of Gambling Legislation in South Carolina

There are few milestones, if any, in the history of South Carolina’s laws on gambling. Beginning in 1802, South Carolina amended its constitution, making any form of gambling illegal in the state. Even today, the state has a staunch opposition to any form of gambling.

In the next years, video game terminals would prove successful and incredibly popular in the Palmetto state. Sadly, a case where a baby suffocated due to her parent playing these types of video games and leaving her unattended garnered negative attention. Because of this case, video game terminals were outlawed in 1999.

In 2021, Bill 67, which aimed to create a team to study the effects of gambling, was passed, allowing the creation of a team of researchers to study how gambling would impact the state.

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South Carolina Online Casino FAQ

What is the gambling age in South Carolina?

Residents must be 18 years or older to purchase a lottery ticket. In addition, the legal gambling age to enter the state’s river casino is 21 years old.

Who regulates gambling in South Carolina?

There is currently no regulatory agency besides the State Lottery Board to oversee the lottery. However, there are national resources to help with responsible gambling.

Are there legal online casinos in South Carolina?

If you’re wondering, “Are online casinos legal in the state?” The answer is “No.” Real money gambling is illegal. The best online casinos to win cash prizes are social casinos or sweepstake casinos. These sites offer welcome bonus offers and exclusive games for free. You can also enter sweepstakes competitions for prizes.

Can I win real money at online casinos in South Carolina?

No, it is illegal to wager real money and win real money through games of chance. This includes online casino games and sports betting. However, you can take advantage of the generous welcome offer bonuses from sweepstake casinos, which include gold coins. These coins can be used to play sweepstakes games and enter contests for cash prizes.

Are gambling winnings from casino games taxable in South Carolina?

Any winnings from the state lottery must be reported and subject to state and federal income taxes. Any withholdings over $500 are subject to a mandatory state tax withholding. Gambling winnings from river casinos are also taxable.

When will South Carolina online casinos be legal?

If you’re wondering when the best South Carolina online site will come to fruition, you might be disappointed. While a 2021 bill allowed the creation of a research group to study the effects of gambling on the state, so far nothing has come of this. In the meantime, it’s best to play casino games legally through social and sweepstake casino sites.

Veronica Foster Written by Veronica Foster

I’m a seasoned gambler with a decade of experience in games like blackjack and roulette, and a particular fondness for slot machines. Now, as a writer for iGaming IQ Inc and Lucky Gambler, I use my expertise to educate others on smart, responsible betting, winning strategies, and choosing the best online casinos.

Veronica's articles and reviews