Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but South Carolina doesn’t have any state-licensed online casinos. The Palmetto State hasn’t legalized any form of online gambling yet, and there aren’t even brick-and-mortar casinos you can visit for real money play.
What is allowed, though, are social and sweepstakes casinos. In this guide, I’ll tell you all about these South Carolina online casinos, explain how they work, and introduce you to the top sites and apps available right now. Let’s get started.
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Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in South Carolina?
Let’s get the big question out of the way: Are online casinos legal here? Well, the answer’s pretty simple: nope. South Carolina hasn’t legalized online casino gambling. That means you can’t fire up your phone and play:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker
… or anything else like that for real money. There’s no licensing system or legal framework for operators either. That’s why you don’t see all the best U.S. casino sites and apps (like DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, or Caesars) accepting players from the Palmetto State.
And in case you were wondering… no, you can’t just drive to a local casino and gamble in person instead. South Carolina doesn’t have brick-and-mortar casinos either.
State law (§ 16-19-40, if you want to get technical) makes it clear why. It bans “any game with cards or dice,” along with just about any machine or device that is “used for gambling purposes.”
Ultimately, the bottom line is this: when it comes to gambling, South Carolina is one of the strictest states in the country. Pretty much everything is off-limits. A couple of exceptions do exist, though:
- Charitable bingo was legalized back in 1976 under the Bingo Act. This lets nonprofit organizations run games if they’re licensed by the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
- In 2001, lawmakers legalized lottery games and created the South Carolina Education Lottery. The first tickets then went on sale in January 2002.
South Carolina Sweepstakes Casinos – Legality & How They Work
Sorry for going off on a bit of a tangent there. Let’s get back to the online casino side of things. If real-money gambling sites and apps aren’t allowed in South Carolina, how do people actually play? Well, the answer is sweepstakes casinos.
You’ll also hear them called “social casinos” or “sweeps casinos.” But don’t worry about that; they all work pretty much the same way. Instead of betting real cash, you’re playing with two types of virtual currency:
- 🟡 Gold Coins (GC) – These are just for fun. Think of them as play money with no cash value.
- 🟢 Sweeps Coins (SC) – These are the important ones. They act as entries into the casino’s sweepstakes contests. You can use Sweeps Coins to play games. And you can redeem your winnings for real cash prizes (1 SC = $1).
Because you’re not directly wagering money on the games themselves, sweepstakes casinos don’t violate any of South Carolina’s gambling laws. That’s why all the best sweepstakes casino sites and apps are free to operate here and accept players from the Palmetto State.
South Carolina Online Gambling: Timeline of News & Events
June 2025
South Carolina Gambling Recovery, LLC files a lawsuit in Oconee County against major DFS and sweepstakes casino apps. Citing a 1710 law, the group claims these platforms are simply illegal gambling in disguise.
March 2025
Lawmakers introduce the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act. The bill would set up a Gaming Commission and open the door for casino licenses in rural counties. Greenville developer Wallace Cheves also proposes a $1 billion casino resort in Santee. But it can only happen if the bill passes, and the governor signs off on it.
January 2025
Lawmakers introduce the Sports Wagering Act to legalize online betting for adults 18 and up. Supporters say it’s long overdue; South Carolinians are already driving into North Carolina to place bets. Governor McMaster remains against it, calling gambling “bad for our culture.”
March 2024
North Carolina launches mobile sports betting statewide. People in South Carolina start driving over the border to place bets.
July 2023
Lawmakers introduce S.68, a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide on legalizing casinos and sports betting. But it never gets a vote and dies in committee.
April 2021
Lawmakers bring forward HB 5277, a bill to legalize sports betting online and in person. It doesn’t even get a hearing. Dies in committee.
Comparing 5 of the Best Online Casinos in South Carolina
Right now, South Carolina players have a ton of sweepstakes online casinos to choose from. There are hundreds of them out there, seriously. And that raises the big question: where do you even start?
Well, I think the answer to that depends on what you’re looking for. Some folks want the biggest sign-up bonus. Others care more about game variety, an easy-to-use mobile app, or how quickly they can cash out winnings.
To help, I decided to put this list together, and I’m hoping it will make your decision a little easier. These are five of the best South Carolina online casinos (my personal favorites, for what it’s worth), and a quick breakdown of what makes each one special:
| 🎰 Best SC Online Casinos | 🎉 No Deposit Bonus | 🏦 First Purchase Bonus | 🎮 Number of Online Casino Games | 💸 Min. Redemption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WOW Vegas | 250,000 WC + 5.00 SC | 1.5 Million WC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 2,000+ | 25 SC |
| 2. McLuck | 7,500 GC + 2.50 SC | 100K GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 1,500+ | 10 SC |
| 3. Stake.us | 250,000 GC + 25.00 SC | N/A | 1,900+ | ~50 SC (Depends on Price of Crypto) |
| 4. The Money Factory | 15K GC + 3 SC | 32,000 GC for $7.49 + 32 FREE SC | 1,000+ | 20 SC |
| 5. Crown Coins | 100K CC + 2 FREE SC | 900K CC for $14.99 + 45 FREE SC | 500+ | 50 SC |
1. WOW Vegas: South Carolina’s Best Overall Online Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 1.75 Million WOW Coins + 35 FREE SC
- 🎉 Promo Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
If I had to pick just one South Carolina online casino, this would be it. WOW Vegas pretty much has it all: over 2,000 slots, massive jackpots, a solid selection of live dealer games, and daily promos that actually provide value.
Plus, payouts are quick, and the site has tons of positive reviews from real South Carolina players. You can read our full WOW Vegas review here to get the complete breakdown.
2. McLuck Casino: Top Choice for Progressive Jackpots
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 57.5K Gold Coins + 30 FREE SC
- 🎉 Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
Next up? We’ve got McLuck. And it’s one of the best online casinos in South Carolina if you’re chasing jackpots. The site has 1,500+ online slots, and with any of them, you can switch on the “Jackpot” feature for a shot at Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand prizes.
Then, the pools just keep on growing until someone wins, which makes things a lot more interesting with every spin. For a closer look, check out our in-depth review of McLuck.
3. Stake.us Casino: Biggest No Deposit Bonus Offer
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up
- 🎉 Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0
Third on our list of the best online casinos in South Carolina… we’ve got Stake.us. It makes a pretty strong first impression with its sign-up bonus. You get 25 FREE SC as soon as you register; that’s the biggest no-deposit offer in South Carolina right now.
The site also has its own “Stake Original” casino games like Plinko, Crash, and Mines. And when it’s time to cash out, you can use crypto options like Bitcoin or Ethereum. For more, check out our complete Stake.us review.
4. The Money Factory: Best Place to Play Blackjack
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 15K Gold Coins, 3 FREE SC, & 300% First Purchase Bonus
- 🎉 Promo Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.2/5.0
If blackjack is your game, The Money Factory is where I’d start. You can play roulette, poker, and plenty of other classics here too, but blackjack is what really caught my attention.
There are several virtual tables with different features and side bets to try out, and if you’d rather play face-to-face, the live dealer blackjack tables give you that real-time action.
Want the complete rundown on this South Carolina casino? Check out our full review of The Money Factory.
5. Crown Coins Casino: Top Pick for iPhone & Android Users
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 150% More Coins on First Purchase + 2 FREE SC
- 🎉 Promo Code: CLICK HERE
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 3.8/5.0
Last but not least, Crown Coins is my top pick for mobile play. They’ve got a free app for both iOS and Android, and from my own experience, it runs smoothly on phones and tablets.
The game selection isn’t as big as some of the other South Carolina casinos we’ve covered (there are about 500+ popular games for you to explore), but they make up for it with a solid welcome bonus and customer support that actually cares about helping you out.
You can learn more in our detailed Crown Coins review.
What Online Casino Games Can You Play in South Carolina?
In my experience with South Carolina sweepstakes casinos, I can tell you this: the game selection looks almost identical to what you’d find at real-money gambling sites. And in some cases, you actually get more options to play around with. Here’s what you can expect:
Slots
Online slots usually make up most of the game library. At online casinos in South Carolina, you’ll find everything from simple three-reel classics to flashy progressives with bonus rounds and huge jackpots.
Table Games
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, dice games. They’re all here. Some South Carolina online casinos even offer multiple versions of each, so you can switch it up if you get bored with one.
Video Poker
Most South Carolina casino sites have a solid lineup of video poker games, too. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker. They’re all pretty easy to find.
Live Dealer Games
Some of the best online casinos in South Carolina also stream live blackjack, roulette, and other table games. It’s great to be able to actually watch the cards hit the table and the wheel spin in real time.
Specialty Games
Think keno, bingo, scratch cards, Plinko, crash games, and other quick-play titles. They don’t get as much attention as slots or blackjack, but they’re definitely worth trying at SC casinos online that offer them.
Best South Carolina Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
One of the best things about South Carolina’s online sweepstakes casinos? They all hand out free no-deposit bonuses (sometimes called “no-purchase bonuses”) when you sign up.
That’s a big deal, especially compared to states with licensed real-money casinos, where you’ll usually only find two or three no-deposit offers at best.
So why are sweepstakes casinos more generous? Simple. By law, every legitimate sweepstakes contest has to offer a free way to play. They can’t make you pay to enter. A free sign-up bonus is how they meet that rule, along with things like daily login rewards or even mail-in entry options.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the best South Carolina online casino bonuses you can claim for free today:
| 🎰 South Carolina Online Casinos | 🎁 No Purchase Bonuses |
|---|---|
| 1. RealPrize | 450K GC, 72 FREE SC, & 700 VIP Points |
| 2. Mega Bonanza | 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 FREE Sweepstakes Coins |
| 3. Stake.us | 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up |
| 4. High 5 Casino | 3 FREE SC, 400 GC, & 300 Diamonds on Sign Up |
| 5. McLuck | 57.5K Gold Coins + 30 FREE SC |
| 6. Spree Casino | 1,030,000 Gold Coins + 32.5 FREE SC |
| 7. Moonspin | 60K Gold Coins + 3 FREE Sweeps Coins |
| 8. PlayFame | 7,500 Gold Coins & 2.5 Free SC |
| 9. WOW Vegas | 1.75 Million WOW Coins + 35 FREE SC |
| 10. The Money Factory | 15K Gold Coins, 3 FREE SC, & 300% First Purchase Bonus |
Have questions about how these promos actually work? Or maybe you’re hunting for even more deals? Check out our full guide to South Carolina online casino no-deposit bonuses. It’s got everything you need and then some.
How to Get Started at South Carolina Casinos Online
I’ve signed up at a bunch of online casinos in South Carolina (and in other states, too). And honestly? The process is almost always the same. Nothing tricky about it. Here’s how it usually goes:
Step 1: Pick a Sweepstakes Casino
Start by choosing where you want to play. Remember, the Palmetto State doesn’t license or regulate online casinos (they’re not legal yet). So you’ll need to go with a sweepstakes casino. Luckily, all of the top sites and apps accept South Carolina players.
Step 2: Create a New Account
Did you pick a legal online casino in South Carolina? Good! Now head to the site (or download the app if they’ve got one). And hit the sign-up button. Fill out a quick form, and then confirm your email or phone number. Takes maybe a minute.
Step 3: Claim Your Sign Up Bonus
Once you’re signed up, you’ll usually get some free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins right away. A lot of South Carolina casino sites also offer a first-purchase bonus (often a 100% match or better) if you want to take advantage of that too.
Step 4: Play Online Casino Games
Now the fun part. Play casino games with Gold Coins for entertainment. And play casino games with Sweeps Coins for a chance at real cash prizes. You can try online slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealer games, or whatever else you want.
Step 5: Redeem Winnings for Cash Prizes
If you win enough Sweeps Coins (and meet the wagering requirements on your sign-up bonus), you can cash them out at a straight 1-to-1 rate. One SC equals one dollar’s worth of cash prizes or gift cards. Simple as that.
How South Carolina’s Gambling Laws Compare to Nearby States
South Carolina is one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to gambling. Seriously, I wish I were kidding.
There are no legal online casinos. No legal sports betting. No online poker. Nothing besides state lottery games, a few bingo halls (licensed by the South Carolina Department of Revenue), and a casino cruise (that offers legal casino gambling in international waters).
But what about the states around it? Some have opened the door a little wider, while others are just as restrictive. If you’re curious how the Palmetto State stacks up against its neighbors, I’ve put together a quick list of nearby state guides.
Each one breaks down what’s legal there and what’s not. This way, you can see how their gambling laws compare to South Carolina’s:
- Alabama Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Delaware Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Florida Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Georgia Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Kentucky Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Maryland Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Mississippi Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- North Carolina Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Ohio Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Pennsylvania Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Tennessee Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
- Virginia Online Casinos & Legal Gambling
Other Legal Forms of Online Gambling in South Carolina
Okay, so real-money online casinos aren’t allowed… but what about other forms of online gambling in South Carolina? Are they legal? Well, let’s take a look:
Sports Betting
There is no legal online sports betting in South Carolina. At least not right now. Lawmakers have introduced bills a few different times, but none have passed. So for the moment it’s off the table… but it’s something that could change in the future.
For now, your options are either driving into North Carolina to use their licensed online sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, or ESPN BET. Or you can stick around here and use social and sweepstakes betting apps like Fliff or Sportzino.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has a pretty big following in South Carolina, but betting on it does not. You can’t use online advance-deposit wagering sites, and there are no racetracks with legal pari-mutuel betting either.
Lawmakers have floated bills in recent years, though, so keep an eye out for any changes.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports sit in a gray area in South Carolina. The law doesn’t ban it outright, but it also doesn’t clearly make it legal. Even so, all the top DFS apps (DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog) let South Carolinians play without any issues.
Lottery Games
The state lottery is one of the few fully legal gambling options here. The South Carolina Education Lottery offers scratch-offs, Powerball, Mega Millions, and state draw games. The catch? You can’t buy tickets online. You’ve got to get them in person from a licensed retailer.
Is Online Gambling in South Carolina Safe?
Honestly? Not really. South Carolina hasn’t legalized online gambling just yet. So the only way to play for real money is by using offshore sites. These are run outside the U.S. and don’t answer to any regulators here.
Do people use them? Yeah, all the time. And the state almost never goes after individual players. So, technically, you can gamble online at offshore casinos. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Here’s why:
- No oversight. If money randomly vanishes from your account or a game is rigged against you, there’s nobody there to hold the site accountable.
- Cashouts can be messy. The withdrawal process is usually slow, confusing, or flat-out unreliable.
- Offshore casinos are still illegal. Even if players aren’t usually targeted, the sites themselves aren’t operating legally in South Carolina.
But if South Carolina ever does legalize online gambling, it would look a whole lot different.
A state Gaming Commission would almost certainly be created to license operators, keep casino games fair, and make sure payouts are safe. You’d also see real protections for South Carolina players. You know… things like deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and actual customer support.
Until that happens, offshore gambling sites are basically just a roll of the dice. Sometimes, it works out for you. Other times, it doesn’t.
South Carolina Land-Based Casinos
South Carolina is one of the only states in the country without any land-based casinos. Commercial casinos aren’t allowed here, and even the state’s only federally recognized tribe (the Catawba Indian Nation) doesn’t run a gaming facility in South Carolina.
The one exception is out on the water. The Big “M” Casino, based in Little River just north of Myrtle Beach, runs two gambling cruise ships that head into international waters.
Once offshore, passengers can play a bunch of different casino games legally:
- Slot machines
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Video poker
… and more. The cruises run six days a week, with both day and evening trips available. You’ve got to be 21 or older to gamble, but beyond that, it’s a pretty unique setup: casino games, a full bar, dining, and ocean views all rolled into one.
Conclusion: When Will South Carolina Legalize Online Casinos?
Congrats! You made it to the end of our South Carolina online casino guide. Thanks for sticking with me.
Let’s wrap things up by tackling one of the biggest questions out there: When will South Carolina actually legalize online casinos?
The truth? Nobody knows. But if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t expect it to happen anytime soon. Here’s why:
- No legislative push. There are zero active bills to launch legal online casinos right now. Even if lawmakers wanted to act, the state constitution bans most forms of gambling. Changing that would require a voter referendum, which slows things down and makes everything a bit more complicated.
- Focus is elsewhere. Lawmakers are currently spending their time trying to legalize online sports betting and land-based casinos. And even those efforts are running into plenty of roadblocks.
- No casino framework. South Carolina doesn’t have commercial or tribal casinos where you can spin slots and play table games. In other states, those retail casinos usually partner with iGaming operators to launch online play. Here, there’s nothing to build on.
- Governor and culture. Governor Henry McMaster (and many state leaders) are strongly against gambling expansion. Add in South Carolina’s conservative, religious influence, and gambling faces moral pushback on top of political opposition.
So, no, it doesn’t look like South Carolina will legalize and regulate online casinos anytime soon. But if that changes, or if there’s ever a real reason to be optimistic, we’ll be sure to update this guide.
Until then, sweepstakes casinos are your best bet for playing online in the Palmetto State.
South Carolina Online Casino FAQs
Nope, not at all. Online casino games? They’re off-limits. Online sports betting? Not allowed. Online poker sites? Not a chance. Paid daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests are the closest thing the state has to legal gambling online. And even those operate in a legal gray area.
No again. Online casino gambling is not legal in South Carolina. But social casino sites are allowed. In case you’re not familiar, these platforms don’t offer any real gambling. Instead, they let you play slots and live dealer games using virtual tokens (Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins) for a chance to win real money prizes through sweepstakes promotions.
There aren’t any land-based casinos in South Carolina. But there are some licensed non-profit organizations that operate bingo halls legally under charitable gaming laws. If you want real casino games or retail sports betting, you’ve got to cross into North Carolina. That’s where you’ll find tribal casinos like Harrah’s Cherokee in Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, and the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
No. Myrtle Beach doesn’t have any casinos either. If you want to gamble here, you’ve got to drive up to Little River. That’s where the Big M Casino boat leaves from. Once it gets out into international waters, you can play slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and a ton of other games for real money.
The legal gambling age is 18+ for lottery and bingo. However, it’s 21+ for casino cruises.
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