Sports Betting South Carolina: Is It Legal in 2025

Online Sports Betting is one of the popular activities in the United States with millions of Americans placing wagers on their favourite teams or events. In the USA, Betting is allowed in 48 states except for Utah and Hawaii. In order to run this business, operators must have a license.

And what about South Carolina? Known for being conservative when it comes to iGaming, the state has some of the toughest Gambling laws in the country. So the question for sports fans and industry insiders is: is Sports Betting legal in South Carolina?

This article breaks down the current legal landscape, the challenges and the prospects of Sports Betting in South Carolina.

Overview of Sports Betting in the United States

Betting in the USA is legal, but it is regulated at two levels: federal and regional. That is why the rules differ from state to state. But first let’s go back to 2018 and examine changes in the law of the country.

Sports Betting in the United States changed forever in 2018 when the Supreme Court canceled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that was accepted in 1992. This ended the federal ban on Sports Betting and gave each state the ability to decide how to legalize and regulate it.

So, many states decided to legalize Sports wagering, including big players like New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Those states are reaping big rewards with billions wagered annually and millions in tax revenue flowing into their economies.

The rise of online and mobile has also fueled the growth of the industry. Betting apps make it easier than ever for people to place bets using their mobile phones or tablets.

But still, not every state has legalized online Sports Betting though. Some states, especially those with conservative values, have resisted legalization due to concerns about Gambling addiction, regulatory hurdles and social issues. South Carolina is one of those states. To understand where South Carolina stands we need to take a closer look at its overall approach to the iGaming industry and how that compares to the rest of the country.

Is Betting Legal in South Carolina?

At the moment, Betting, like other forms of iGaming, is prohibited in the state of South Carolina. For several years in a row (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), the state government has been reviewing legalization laws, but so far they have not been approved. 

Can people bet? There are websites that claim to be able to accept Sports Betting from anywhere in the United States, including from residents of South Carolina. But since iGaming is regulated at the state level, this is still not true.

Anyone from South Carolina who decides to place a bet is taking a risk. The fact is that consumer protection does not apply to this state. This means that if an offshore bookmaker decides not to pay the money or cease its activities without returning the customer’s funds, the players will have no way to receive their money.

South Carolina Sports Betting: Possibility of Legalization

In March 2025, news broke that a new bill was being considered, introduced by Chris Murphy, a Republican from Dorchester, South Carolina, to legalize Sports Betting in the state.

According to this law, a Sports Betting Commission may appear in South Carolina, as well as a tax on benefits and a licensing system for operators.

Murphy stressed that the proceeds could be used for tax incentives, drug addiction services, support for public universities, as well as to improve the work of local authorities and infrastructure.

Why Is It Important?

Since Betting is banned in South Carolina, residents of the state are moving to North Carolina, the closest place where the iGaming industry is legalized. Because of this, South Carolina is losing revenue. 

However, the authorities are still skeptical. They believe that there is much more harm from legal Sports Betting and Gambling than there is benefit. Therefore, it is not clear whether the bill will be adopted or not.

What are Alternatives to Betting in South Carolina?

If you want to place bets in South Carolina, you can do it on DFS platforms. Daily Fantasy Sports (or DFS) is a type of sports entertainment or a game based on the selection of athletes from among the participants of a championship. A team is formed from the selected players, the success of which depends on the actions of each of its members in real matches.

Unlike Betting, this type of activity is allowed in many US states, including South Carolina. Therefore, DFS is popular and is an excellent alternative.

Top 5 DFS Platforms in South Carolina

1. DraftKings

DraftKings sportsbook boasts an impressive variety of Betting options, including point spreads, correct scores, double chances, hedging, and futures. It stands out as one of the top Betting sites available.

For transactions, the platform offers MasterCard, VISA and Discover. The Play+ card is also supported, and in terms of e-wallets and applications, you can choose PayPal, Venmo or Apple Pay. In addition, classic online bank transfers are supported.

Minimum deposits are $5, and minimum withdrawals start at $20. The maximum limits can be quite different, depending on the deposit/withdrawal option you choose.

2. FanDuel

FanDuel is one of the best online bookmakers currently available in the United States. It offers an incredibly user-friendly interface, an almost unlimited number of Betting options, and better odds than many competitors.

The minimum deposit is $10, although the maximum amount depends on the banking option. Options available for transactions include bank transfer, debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), PayPal, Apple Pay, FanDuel Prepaid Play+, Cash, Check, Wire transfer, Gift card, and Venmo.

3. PrizePicks

PrizePicks has become a big player in the DFS space and is making waves in the fantasy sports world with their user-friendly app where you can track your entries live during games.

What sets PrizePicks apart from other DFS platforms is their simplicity. Instead of building entire teams, you just pick if a player will score more or less than a stat. It’s quick and fun but some veteran DFS players might find the lack of team drafting a bit restrictive.

Withdrawal and deposit methods are credit or debit card, instant bank transfer, PayPal. The minimum deposit is $10.

4. Underdog

Underdog online sportsbook is setting records for the biggest contests in fantasy sports and DFS platforms. The app focuses on two main types of competitions: Pick’em games, where you need to compete with the house, and Draft competitions, where you compete with other players in a more traditional fantasy format.

For deposits and withdrawals, the platform accepts only PayPal and credit cards. The minimum deposit is $10.

5. Dabble

Dabble operates legally in 20 US states. New players who sign up can receive a fantastic no deposit offer that includes a $10 bonus credit. The bonus is valid for 14 days and can be used as one or two entry fees for DFS competitions with the number of selections from two to 12.

The platform supports well-known and highly reliable payment methods such as Visa and Mastercard. Deposits are instant and commission-free, meaning the minimum deposit is only $5.