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PTLegal South Carolina Online Poker Sites
In this guide find out the Legality of Online Poker in South Carolina
Legal gambling options have been limited in the US for a long time; nonetheless, the last decade has seen a positive change in this regard. Many states have established regulations for poker among other gambling forms. Still, in some of them, like South Carolina, opposition to gambling remains strong.
SC gambling laws prohibit virtually all forms of gambling, including poker. In fact, the only gambling option they allow is the state lottery — you won’t find any classic casino games, as commercial or tribal casinos don’t exist in the Palmetto State. Also, an internet search won’t deliver any results of state-regulated poker sites, which may lead players to believe they can’t play online poker.
Yet, every cloud has a silver lining, and so does South Carolina’s limited gambling scene, as we’ll see below.
Is Online Poker Legal in South Carolina?
Card games, such as poker, are unequivocally illegal in South Carolina. In fact, the SC Code of Laws has a section dealing with this prohibition in detail:
“If any person shall play at any tavern, inn, store for the retailing of spirituous liquors or in any house used as a place of gaming, barn, kitchen, stable or other outhouse, street, highway, open wood, race field or open place at (a) any game with cards or dice, (b) any gaming table, commonly called A, B, C, or E, O, or any gaming table known or distinguished by any other letters or by any figures, (c) any roley-poley table, (d) rouge et noir, (e) any faro bank (f) any other table or bank of the same or the like kind under any denomination whatsoever or (g) any machine or device licensed pursuant to Section 12-21-2720 and used for gambling purposes.”
However, as you can see, the law doesn’t specifically mention online poker, which creates ambiguity. Due to this lapse, SC players can potentially use the lack of an explicit online gambling ban to play online poker on offshore sites. Still, don’t jump into it blindly — consider a quick consult with a legal adviser, just in case.
Poker Laws
If you want to review the SC poker laws yourself, this is the document with the relevant information:
Best Legal Poker Rooms in South Carolina
After reading up on South Carolina legal documents, one may think that this state offers zero options for poker players. Thankfully, this is not entirely true. Check out the land-based and online poker tables available in the Palmetto State below.
Legal Online Poker in South Carolina
South Carolina laws aren’t entirely clear when it comes to online poker. While legal documents thoroughly outline the embargo on card games, the words like “online” or “internet” haven’t been used. Guided by the phrasing alone, some people believe that online poker isn’t forbidden in this state.
If you’re one of those people, offshore poker sites and online casinos are the perfect option for you. These sites aren’t located in South Carolina, meaning that they don’t break any laws by accepting SC players. However, if you decide to join any of those platforms, have a legal expert evaluate the risk of prosecution.
So far, there have been no instances in which players incurred legal consequences for opening accounts and playing poker on international sites. Still, you should be cautious when choosing an online poker room and only pick tried and tested operators, such as the ones on our list.
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Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions
- Must be 18+ to participate.
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Legal Land-Based Poker in South Carolina
While it may be possible to play online poker in South Carolina with no repercussions, the same can’t be said for live poker. Since the Palmetto State does not allow land-based poker, there are no brick-and-mortar gambling venues you can visit in SC.
Luckily, you can still take part in live poker games thanks to the Gambling Cruise Act, which allows gambling on cruise ships. These ships don’t break the law since gambling occurs in international waters instead of the state’s territory. In South Carolina, the only owner of such vessels is Big M Casino.
The company has two cruise ships that feature a couple of poker variants. The titles on offer include Let It Ride and Three Card Poker, both of which are played against the house — the ship doesn’t have a dedicated poker room for playing against other visitors.
Presently, only one of the two ships is in operation. You can board a day cruise every day except Monday or enjoy a fun poker night from Thursday to Sunday.
How to Register at a Legal Online Poker Site in South Carolina
Should you decide to join an offshore poker site, you will be spoiled for choice. The process of getting started is quick and easy, as explained below:Pick a trusted site
Our website features the best poker rooms. Feel free to go through the displayed options and choose one, as they are all legit and accept SC players.Signup
Once you choose a site, start the registration process by hitting the Sign Up button. Fill out the form that pops up with your personal details and agree to the site’s terms and conditions. You’ll also be required to create a unique username and a strong password.The poker site will most likely require account verification. In most cases, this is done via email, but some operators may also send an SMS.
Deposit & Play
Use your new credentials to log in and go to the Cashier page to fund your account. The methods you may find include cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and even cryptocurrencies. Check the limits, fees, and withdrawal times for each of them to choose the best possible option.You’ll find hefty welcome bonuses for new players on international poker sites. Nevertheless, always check bonus terms and conditions to make sure you can clear the rollover in the given time frame.
Offshore sites organize regular cash games and tournaments with buy-ins targeting both recreational players and high rollers. Take some time to check all the available options and find the one that’s right for you
Once you’ve found a poker game you like, it’s time to have some fun!
Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
Unfortunately, we can’t provide a list of land-based casinos with live poker in South Carolina since there are none. The only option players from the Palmetto State have for playing live poker is a Big M Casino cruise ship. Alternatively, fans of this game can travel to states where land-based poker rooms are allowed, such as North Carolina.
Other Resources
Final Thoughts
Gambling laws in South Carolina explicitly prohibit live poker — or rather, card games in general. Due to this, no land-based casinos or poker rooms have been permitted in the state so far. Still, online poker isn’t mentioned in SC’s legal documents, leading players to believe they can play it online on one of the offshore platforms.All South Carolinians who are interested in playing online poker will find such options on this page. Check them out, and discover the top-rated offshore poker rooms in a flash!
FAQ
Is online poker legal in South Carolina?
Online poker isn’t officially permitted in South Carolina. Moreover, gambling in any form, aside from the state lottery, is prohibited. However, players can access offshore poker rooms — they should just keep in mind that these operate in the gray zone, as they aren’t specifically addressed by the law.
Are there land-based poker rooms in South Carolina?
There are no commercial or tribal land-based casinos or poker rooms in South Carolina. The only option to play live poker includes a cruise ship that sails six days a week.
Do offshore poker rooms support mobile play?
Yes, most international poker rooms enable players to take part in poker games via their phones or tablets.
Are there any online poker promotions available to players in South Carolina?
Yes, both new and registered poker players in South Carolina can claim various bonuses on offshore poker sites. Welcome offers and no deposit deals are the first in line, followed by cashback, reloads, and VIP programs.