South Carolina Online Sports Betting Guide 2024
What is the current state of online sports betting in South Carolina? If you are a sports fan in the Palmetto State, you’re likely curious about the latest updates on online sports betting legalization.
While South Carolina’s stance towards sports betting is known to be restrictive, there are ongoing efforts to change that. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with everything you need to know about South Carolina sports betting.
Learn about the current laws surrounding online sports betting in SC, available wagering options and how to bet on sports in the jurisdiction.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Discover if online sports betting is legal or not in South Carolina.
- Find out the best alternatives to online sports betting sites in South Carolina.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?
No, online sports betting or sports wagering (in any form) is currently not legal in the Palmetto State. Although there have been attempts to authorize sports betting in the state, they have so far been unsuccessful.
In 2019, a bill was proposed to achieve this goal but failed to gain traction. The same fate befell the bills introduced in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The most recent attempt was House Bill 3749, proposed at the outset of the 2023 legislative session. If passed, the sports betting bill would have legalized up to eight sports betting apps, set the minimum age for sports betting at 18 or older, and permitted college sports and in-state teams wagering. However, its progress has been halted in the House.
With no current legal sports betting platforms in SC, you may want to know more about the states that have legalized sports betting around the country. You will be glad to find out that nearby jurisdictions like Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia are on the growing list. So, you can simply drive down to these states to satisfy your sports betting thirst.
Our Alternative to Online Sportsbooks in South Carolina: Sweepstakes Bookmakers
While mobile sports betting remains illegal in South Carolina, there is another way you can legally have close to an online sports wagering experience in the state. The answer is sweepstakes betting.
Sweepstakes bookmakers allow you to predict sports events and participate in sports contests and games using virtual currencies that you can redeem for cash prizes or other rewards.
To find your next favorite platform, below are the best available sports betting sweepstakes in South Carolina.
Fliff
Established in 2018, Fliff has become a big name in the sweepstakes sports betting industry. The platform offers bettors features similar to traditional online sportsbooks, including a long list of available sports and wagering options.
You can make picks in all the big leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. You can also access common betting markets like live betting, point spread, over/under, props, and more.
Fliff makes your stay on its platform more exciting by introducing engaging features like in-app leaderboards, contests, and sweepstakes rewards.
The app features two types of virtual currencies: Fliff coins and Fliff Cash. While you can only use the former to play games and enter free contests, Fliff Cash can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Rebet
Rebet offers a unique blend of traditional sports betting and sweepstakes features. The social sportsbook has a portfolio of over 60 sports, including popular ones like football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and baseball.
The app also provides users with various opportunities to win Rebet Coins and Rebet Cash, such as a welcome bonus, daily login rewards, and a loyalty program. It also regularly hosts tournaments and contests where you can earn points and vie for the top spot on the leaderboard.
Rebet also features a unique peer-to-peer betting option that allows you to organize contests between you and your friends or fellow bettors. The platform also has a “Rebet” function that enables you to quickly repost or duplicate other users’ picks.
How to Bet on Sports in South Carolina?
Since online or retail sports betting isn’t yet available in South Carolina, we will focus on how you can register and start playing at a sweepstakes sportsbook in Palmetto State.
- Choose your sweepstakes sportsbook: Visit Fliff or Rebet sites, or download their apps, and sign up. You will be asked to provide your personal information and verify your account.
- Claim your welcome offer: Both sweepstakes books will automatically reward you with no-deposit welcome bonuses in the form of free virtual currencies when you sign up.
- Start placing bets: Using the free coins, you can start wagering on any of the betting markets available on your chosen sweepstakes bookmaker. Once you have accumulated enough Fliff Cash or Rebet Cash, you can redeem them for real cash prizes.
- Purchase more coins: This last step is optional since sweepstake sportsbooks are entirely free to use. If you want additional coins, you can purchase them using any of the supported banking options on the platform. Popular payment methods include debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and online banking.
Popular Sports and Teams in South Carolina Betting Scene
South Carolina hosts two of the most popular college teams in the NCAA, the Gamecocks and the Tigers. While it has no major league franchises, some professional sports teams based in North Carolina represent both states:
- NFL’s Carolina Panthers
- NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
- NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
- MLS’ Charlotte FC
The state is also home to several minor league teams. Here is a breakdown of the jurisdiction’s most popular sports and teams:
| Team | Sport | League | Team Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Gamecocks | College Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer | NCAA Division 1 | The Gamecocks have a huge fan base that usually packs Williams-Brice Stadium, their home venue with over 80,000 attendees per game. |
| Clemson University’s Tigers | College Football Soccer Baseball Basketball | NCAA Division 1 | The Tigers are among the US’s most successful and highly followed athletic programs. Their football teams won the National Championship in 1981, 2016 and 2018. |
| Carolina Panthers | Football | NFL | Although based in NC, the Panthers are often considered the “home team” for many fans in the Palmetto State. |
| Charlotte Hornets | Basketball | NBA | The Hornets are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, they have a strong presence, with SC residents attending their games. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Hockey | NHL | Like the Panthers, the Hurricanes’ territorial rights extend into South Carolina. As such, many SC residents consider themselves part of the Hurricanes fan base. |
| Charlotte FC | Soccer | MLS | Charlotte FC plays their home games at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, a short drive from the SC border. It is no wonder this pro soccer team is highly followed in the Upstate region of South Carolina. |
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
Sports is an essential part of South Carolina’s culture. The state’s residents have lots of love to give to their favorite sports teams, which overflows to neighboring states. South Carolinians express their loyalty by donning their team jerseys and attending their home games. It is no wonder the Gamecocks and Tigers rank among the top twenty schools in average attendance.
If South Carolina had a sports betting market, these two teams would largely dominate the action, especially when the two rivals face off in games aptly tagged “Battle of the Palmetto State.”
As a matter of fact, the betting support for the two universities’ sports teams has driven South Carolina residents to turn to online betting apps in neighboring countries or offshore bookies.
Furthermore, the performances of NC pro teams also influence the betting preferences of SC residents when placing wagers in legal betting states.
Unfortunately, Tennessee and North Carolina sportsbooks do not include out-of-state betting metrics in their monthly betting revenue releases that would have partially provided insights into the betting habits of SC residents in these states.
Upcoming Events
South Carolina is always abuzz with thrilling sports events throughout the year. From college showdowns to pro golf tournaments, you don’t want to miss out on the action. We have provided you with a calendar below that automatically compiles the list of upcoming events in the Palmetto State.
Are There More Gambling Options in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s gambling options are minimal. Here are the only two permitted gambling activities in the state.
- Riverboat Casino: South Carolina has only one casino that offers traditional casino games on two luxury yachts in Little River. The Big M Casino features table and slot games like blackjack, roulette, video poker, and Pot O’ Gold. There are other exciting attractions to make your trip worth it.
- Lottery: The South Carolina lottery offers draw games like Powerball, Mega Millions, Palmetto Cash 5, Pick 3 and Pick 4. You can purchase lottery tickets at retail locations within the state or online.
- Daily Fantasy Sports: South Carolina does not have laws that specifically prohibit daily fantasy sports. As a result, you will find top DFS operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, Prize Picks, and Underdog accepting contest entries from within the state.
Maximizing Your Bets
Whether you are wagering in neighboring legal betting states or waiting for South Carolina to launch its market, you need to learn effective betting strategies to maximize your winning chances. Find them below.
Tips and Strategies for South Carolina Bettors
The best betting tips teach you how to get better at sports betting while developing smart sports betting habits. These expert tips can be applied to your betting strategy whether you are betting in Tennessee, North Carolina, or elsewhere.
Research
Avoid making uninformed bets, as they can quickly drain your bankroll. It’s crucial to do your homework on any games or sports you are interested in wagering on. Research doesn’t mean spending hours looking for a sure bet because it simply doesn’t exist. Instead, analyze the team’s performance, player statistics, and head-to-head records.
Furthermore, spend time watching and analyzing the sports you want to bet on and gain insight into how various gameplay strategies can impact the outcome of a match. This will help you make smarter betting decisions.
Manage your Bankroll
Sportsbooks usually offer a wide variety of markets that can be a tempting trap for impulsive betting if you are not careful. To avoid overspending, set a budget, which should be an amount you can afford to lose.
You should constantly manage your budget, especially when experiencing a losing streak. Never chase your losses! Instead, reassess your strategy and take a break if needed.
Understand Betting Odds
You need to understand how sports betting odds work as it is crucial for making the right betting choices. Odds show how much you can win, but also indicate the likelihood of an outcome. Don’t be swayed by huge underdog odds. Ensure you weigh the risks and probabilities of each bet before committing your money.
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
While wagering, it is crucial to keep records of your betting activity, especially your winnings. Why? You may have to pay taxes on them. So, what’s the correlation between sports betting and taxes?
Essentially, the IRS considers sports betting proceeds taxable income like your paycheck or investment gains. However, you are only mandated to pay taxes on your sports betting winnings if it is $600 or more or a payout from odds of 300:1. In such cases, the online sportsbook will provide you with form W-2G that includes information about your gambling winnings and taxes withheld.
Some states also have tax rates you are expected to pay on your winnings if you obtained them while wagering in their jurisdictions.
It is unsure whether South Carolina would have such a requirement when sports betting goes live in the state. However, one thing is sure: you can’t escape the federal taxes on your sports betting winnings.
So, Will You Bet from South Carolina Tonight?
South Carolina is one of the states with the fewest betting opportunities in the US. Apart from not having a legal online sports betting market, the Carolina state does not permit land-based or online casino gambling and horse racing wagering.
While moves are being made to legalize the activity, it’s still unclear when online sports betting will come to the Palmetto State. Meanwhile, you can bet at sweepstakes sportsbooks or visit neighboring states to place your bets.
Are you planning to visit North Carolina for sports betting soon? Read our dedicated guide to discover your NC betting options.
