South Carolina Betting Sites

Want to find out more about where the land lies when it comes to sports betting in South Carolina? Whether you’re looking for the latest news on the state’s proposals to legalize sports wagering, or want to find out about some of the betting options that could prove popular should online sports betting launch in the Palmetto State, this page has got you covered. Consider it your go-to resource for staying in the know. 

Is Online Betting Legal in South Carolina?

Currently, online betting is illegal in South Carolina. The state has historically maintained strict gambling laws, with most forms of gambling prohibited, except bingo, a state lottery, and casino cruises berthed offshore. In the state’s fourth consideration of sports betting in five years, HB 3749 was introduced to the state legislature on January 19, 2023. 

The bill proposes to allow up to eight sports betting apps to operate in South Carolina. Two of these apps would be designated for NASCAR and the PGA Tour because of their existing physical presence in the state. The remaining six would be awarded to operators who already offer licensed sports betting in at least five other states. Candidates fitting this description could include top online sportsbooks like BetMGM and Caesars, while it seems likely that DraftKings and FanDuel would also make a move in the state, given their existing presence as daily fantasy sports operators. 

The proposed SC sportsbooks would be available for bettors aged 18 or older, with provisions for betting on sports and horse racing, and with no barriers to betting on college sports. However, the bill’s passage faces challenges, including opposition from Gov. Henry McMaster, a staunch opponent of gambling expansion. Nonetheless, legal sports betting is a change that at least some voters would like to see happen, so you never know how things will pan out over the coming months. Online casinos are not available in South Carolina. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in South Carolina

While online betting isn’t yet available in South Carolina, it’s good to understand the sports scene that could shape a new betting industry in the state. There’s a passion for sports in South Carolina, and if online betting becomes legal, residents will have the chance to wager on the action. Let’s check out some of the options that could prove popular. 

NFL 

Football fans in South Carolina often root for the Carolina Panthers or the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL delivers a vast choice of betting options, from traditional moneyline bets on game winners to thrilling prop bets that focus on player performances. If legal online betting launches in the state, bettors look set to enjoy plenty of NFL wagering opportunities. 

NBA

Without an in-state NBA team, South Carolinians often get behind the Atlanta Hawks or the Charlotte Hornets. The prospect of legal online betting could mean fans enjoying the excitement of wagering from the comfort of their own homes. NBA betting presents numerous options, including the NBA All-Star Weekend and high-stakes NBA Finals. 

MLB

When it comes to Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves have won a few hearts in South Carolina. As online betting potentially inches closer to becoming a reality in the Palmetto State, baseball fans can anticipate wagering on game outcomes, predicting run totals, and placing bets on player achievements. 

NHL

Though the NHL doesn’t have a team in South Carolina, if online betting arrives, residents look set to back nearby teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes. NHL fans could enjoy a wide range of betting options, including predicting game outcomes, total goals scored, and player performances. Online sportsbooks should offer a convenient way to engage in the action. 

Horse Racing

Alongside legal sports betting, HB 3479 also proposes to allow horse racing betting in South Carolina. If successful, bettors in the state could enjoy wagering on prestigious events like the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown. Being able to join in the fun directly from mobile devices should make betting on horse racing in South Carolina accessible and fun.

Betting Markets Available in South Carolina

The possibility that legal sports betting could launch in South Carolina means that residents can anticipate placing lots of different types of bets in the future. Here are some popular betting options you might enjoy if online sports betting becomes a reality.

Moneyline

A simple wager, the moneyline bet is all about picking the winning team. Let’s imagine the South Carolina Gamecocks were playing the Clemson Tigers in college football. A successful moneyline bet on the Gamecocks means they win, no matter the points difference. Positive and negative moneylines come into play here. If the Gamecocks go into the game as the underdog, they might have a positive moneyline like +150. Here, a $100 bet could potentially return $150 in winnings. On the other hand, if the Tigers are the favorites, and sported a negative moneyline like -130, you’d need to wager $130 to earn $100. 

Parlay

Parlays add extra excitement to sports wagering by allowing you to combine multiple bets into one, for a higher profit than if you had placed the bets individually. So, you might place a parlay on four different NFL teams to win their matchups. A successful outcome for all teams would see your parlay win. However, if one team loses, the entire parlay is lost. For added security, some sportsbooks offer parlay insurance, where you receive a bonus bet refund if a single selection fails within the parlay. Additionally, sportsbooks might allow you to place a same-game parlay. With this type of parlay, you’ll make your selections from the same sporting event. 

Over/Under

The over/under, or totals, bet revolves around predicting the combined points, runs, or goals in a game. Consider a showdown between the Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks. The sportsbook sets the over/under at 230.5 points. Your job is to decide if the total points scored by both teams will be over or under that number. This type of bet isn’t limited to points, extending to various game statistics; for instance, in a soccer match between Atlanta United and Nashville SC, you might bet on whether the total number of yellow cards or corners will be over or under a set total. 

Against the Spread (ATS)

An exciting way to test your knowledge, ATS bets are all about point spreads and team performance. Imagine an NBA clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. The point spread is set at Lakers -6.5, meaning they must win by at least 6.5 points for a successful ATS bet. On the other side, the Heat, with a point spread of +6.5 can win outright or lose by 6.5 points or fewer for an ATS bet on them to succeed. It can be challenging to predict points margin accurately, so you can usually expect bigger odds for a successful ATS bet than for a simple moneyline wager.  

Betting Apps Available in South Carolina

With top US sportsbooks offering impressive mobile betting apps, the prospect of legal wagering in South Carolina holds plenty of promise for sports fans, especially for those interested in betting on the go. Mobile sportsbooks bring a host of advantages, putting an entire sportsbook at your fingertips for convenient betting anytime, anywhere. Enhanced security features, including biometrics logins like Face or Touch ID are often incorporated, along with optional push notifications. These notifications land directly on the home screen of mobile devices, offering real-time updates on game scores, odds changes, and exciting betting bonuses. Mobile apps typically offer the same range of sports and betting options as desktop platforms and often feature sleek and easy-to-navigate designs too, making them not only super convenient for on-the-fly betting but also lots of fun to use. Sportsbook apps are usually offered for both Android and iOS.

No mobile betting apps are currently available in South Carolina. 

Payment Methods Available at South Carolina Betting Sites

When betting online, having convenient and secure payment options is essential. The great news is that in states where legal sports betting has already gone live, online sportsbooks usually come loaded with a wide variety of trusted payment options. With that in mind, here are some of the payment options you could expect to find on South Carolina betting sites.

Bank Cards

Bank cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are a popular option at betting sites. They offer quick deposits direct from your account, making them a convenient pick. While many betting sites readily accept bank cards, it pays to have an alternative payment method in mind, as some banks may automatically decline gambling transactions. 

e-Wallets

e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller provide an extra layer of security and privacy for your transactions, allowing you to fund your betting account without directly sharing your card information with the site. e-Wallets are also known for their instant deposits and fast payouts, but some may charge small fees for certain transactions.

Prepaid Cards

SC betting sites may offer a prepaid option like Paysafecard. These can help you to control your spending, as you can only use the amount loaded onto the card. Play+ is another option you might come across. These prepaid cards are often tied to a specific sportsbook, can handle both deposits and withdrawals, and offer a host of extra perks. 

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers involve directly transferring money from your bank account to your betting account. Though transfers are secure, you’ll need to be comfortable with sharing your bank details with the sportsbook and there may be fees involved. Higher limits are generally involved with wire transfers, making them a popular pick with high rollers.

South Carolina Betting Timeline

While legal sports betting remains off limits in South Carolina, developments over the past few years do at least suggest a gradual evolution in the state’s approach to gambling laws. Further developments could pave the way for the introduction of online betting sites in the future. Check out a few of the significant events so far:

2018 – The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) opened the door for individual states to legalize sports betting. While states like Delaware and New Jersey were quick off the mark, South Carolina, historically conservative on gambling, remained cautious. 

2019 – Joint resolutions called for an amendment to the state’s constitution to introduce multiple forms of legal gambling, including sports betting, but failed to attract support.

2021 – HB 3395 proposed legalizing casino gaming, sports betting, and horse racing betting. The bill failed to progress. 

2022 – HB 5277 proposed legalized retail and mobile sports betting. Despite support, this bill also failed to progress. 

2023 – In January, HB 3749 was introduced to South Carolina’s state legislature. The bill proposes legal wagering on sports and horse racing by bettors aged 18 or over. 

Compare South Carolina Betting Sites and Sign Up

When it comes to sports betting in South Carolina, we understand that sports fans are raring to go. While there are no legal SC betting sites to show you just yet, we promise to keep this page updated. That way, if legal wagering does arrive in the Palmetto State, you’ll know where to head to get all the details you need. You can also visit Betting Odds to stay up to speed with North Carolina sportsbooks apps, set to launch in early 2024. 

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