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Poker Tournaments in South Carolina in 2025 – SC Poker Tournaments Schedule & Results
Read on and learn about the biggest poker tournaments in the Palmetto State
Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by 
Fact checked by
Despite the latest surge in gambling regulation across the US, anti-gambling sentiment persists in a number of states. One of them is South Carolina, which has made some attempts to regulate certain gambling forms over the years but ended up approving only the state lottery.
The law books in South Carolina reflect its strict view on gambling. Namely, casinos and card rooms aren’t available in the Palmetto State, and there are no state-regulated poker websites.
That said, here are a few poker-playing options that can fill the bill for SC poker players.
Poker Tournaments in South Carolina
Poker tournaments aren’t available in South Carolina for a simple reason — the state law doesn’t allow the game in any form. This is clearly stated in the South Carolina Code of Laws — Title 16, Chapter 19, which deals with gambling and lotteries:
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.
Based on this excerpt, poker (being a game played with cards) isn’t allowed in SC. Still, even though the law is pretty specific in terms of game types and places where gambling is forbidden, it doesn’t explicitly mention online poker. Therefore, players from South Carolina can potentially play this game on the internet — but it’s best to consult a legal expert before doing so.
Online Poker Tournaments
According to South Carolina gambling laws, card games are illegal, which automatically places land-based poker on the prohibited activities list. Still, its online counterpart isn’t mentioned anywhere in the text, which is otherwise quite detailed.
Presumably, one could argue that online poker falls under the definition of illegal gambling since it’s played with cards and at a “house used as a place of gaming.” Some players, however, maintain that the absence of specific language targeting internet poker allows them to participate in tournaments at offshore online poker rooms.
While we can’t confidently say what is or isn’t legal in this situation, we do know for certain that no SC player has been prosecuted for playing poker on offshore sites. Therefore, if you decide to follow this path, you’ll get access to various poker tournaments available on international platforms.
These poker sites host many different poker events, such as freerolls, MTTs, Sit & Gos, bounties, and several other tournament types. Additionally, the buy-ins and limits differ depending on the table — as a result, everyone can take part in some poker action. Finally, offshore online poker rooms attract players from different corners of the world, ensuring a high level of player traffic.
Once again, if you’re worried about legal repercussions, consult someone with legal expertise who can provide reliable advice.
Land-Based Poker Tournaments
Unlike online poker, which can be labeled as a gray zone activity, live poker is strictly banned within South Carolina borders. In fact, you won’t find any casinos in this state, commercial or tribal. However, there’s still an option for fans of live poker, but it’s not exactly characterized as “terrestrial.”
Namely, the Big M Casino owns two boats that depart from SC shores and offer various casino games, including poker variations like Three Card Poker and Let It Ride. At the moment, only one of the boats is in operation, and the cruises take place six days a week. You can board a day cruise every day from Tuesday to Sunday or an evening ride from Thursday to Sunday.
How to Register for an Online Poker Tournament
The majority of international poker sites offer tournaments online, and signing up for them is a walk in the park. Here’s everything you need to do from the moment you decide to join an online poker room:
Choose a site from our list
Always choose properly regulated poker rooms that have a reputation for hosting tournaments regularly and paying out players’ winnings.
Signup
Once you choose a poker site, find the registration button on its homepage. Click on it to open the sign-up form and provide all the required information.
If the operator requires it, complete your account verification by clicking on the link sent to your email address. Then, use your username and password to log in. Most likely, this will be done automatically once you verify the account.
Deposit & Play
In order to take part in tournaments with real-money prizes, you’ll have to make a deposit. Go to the site’s Banking page, choose a payment method, and enter the desired deposit amount. Follow the instructions to complete the payment. Your account balance should be topped up within minutes.
You’ll find a welcome bonus on almost every poker site. Just make a qualifying deposit, and you’ll get extra cash to use on poker games.
Pick a tournament that suits your experience level, budget, and preferences, and hit the ground running!
South Carolina Land-Based Casinos With Poker Tournaments
South Carolina is definitely not a state for players interested in live poker tournaments. Its draconian gambling laws don’t support poker in any form.
So, if you’re an SC resident looking for live poker gameplay, you can find some action on a Big M Casino cruise ship, or you can visit a neighboring state with live poker rooms, such as North Carolina.
South Carolina Poker Tournament Schedule
Players who choose to take the plunge and try offshore poker websites can find the list of tournaments on this page. Here are all the available online poker competitions for South Carolinians:
Best Poker Rooms To Play Online Tournaments In South Carolina
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2025:
- 100% Legal & Licensed
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- Mobile Friendly
- Advertiser Disclosure
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.
# 1 Poker Site
Regulated by 
- 100% First deposit bonus
- Top 3 in US player traffic
- Great selection of games
- Banking through cryptocurrencies
Payout speed 1-3 days
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+10
+10
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100% up to $1000
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# 2
Regulated by 
- Increased Poker Crypto Bonus $1500
- Exclusively for US players
- Many Payment Options
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Payout speed 1-3 days
Deposit options
+4
+4
Exclusive bonus
100% upto $3000
18+. T&Cs Apply
# 3
Regulated by
- Recreational Player Traffic
- Get a 200% Match on Your Initial Deposit
- Wide Tournament Selection
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Payout speed 1 - 5 days
Deposit options
+9
+9
Exclusive bonus
200% upto $1000
18+. T&Cs Apply
Displayed 3 of 8 rooms
All of the South Carolina State online poker site bonuses mentioned on this page are subject to change at any time, should any of them be of interest to you please visit the respective Poker sites website for full terms and conditions of any bonus listed.
Other Resources
Conclusion
South Carolina still maintains its harsh poker laws and forbids the construction of any land-based poker rooms or casinos. Some would say that online poker isn’t permitted either, as it is a game played with cards. Nonetheless, we found no particular mentions of internet gambling in SC’s detailed legal documents. Still, you’d be better off consulting a legal expert on this matter.
Afterward, if you decide to join an offshore poker room, come back to this page and explore our list featuring the best international poker sites and up-to-date schedules of their poker tournaments.
FAQs
Is online poker legal in South Carolina?
No, online poker isn’t legal in South Carolina, as this state frowns upon all gambling activities except the state lottery.
Are there any land-based poker rooms in South Carolina?
South Carolina hasn’t regulated land-based poker rooms or casinos, so you won’t find classic brick-and-mortar venues with live poker tables.
When will South Carolina legalize online poker?
In order for online poker to become legal in South Carolina, the state should first draft a bill aiming to regulate this activity. Considering that such a bill hasn’t been proposed yet and that SC hasn’t even regulated live poker or land-based casino gambling, our best guess is that online poker won’t become legal in the Palmetto State anytime soon.