Regulatory Considerations For Online Casino Operators Targeting South Carolina Players

Gambling is at odds with South Carolina's values. Currently, there are no legal online top casino betting site platforms in the state. However, it doesn't mean the locals can't enjoy the gambling action like other US residents.

South Carolina has no specific regulation prohibiting residents from playing real money casino games. Thus, the state's gambling market is in the gray area. It means betting fanatics can play at regulated online casinos that accept worldwide players. A Brief History of South Carolina Gambling The settlers in South Carolina introduced dog fighting, cockfighting, boxing, target shooting, horse racing, wrestling, and rat fight events in the later 1700s and early 1800s.

In 1802, the state started to enact laws to restrict gambling activities.

The government passed Section 16-19-40 of the Code of Laws that banned most forms of betting throughout South Carolina. This step ended the gambling market in the state.

However, the residents got one more chance to enjoy gambling activities with the enactment of South Carolina's Bingo Act in 1976. This law allowed non-profit bingo events through licensed organizations.

The residents also got access to video poker around the 1980s, but not for long. In 1999, the government again banned video poker gaming.

For a change, South Carolina legalized lottery games throughout the state in 2000. It has been a popular real-money casino game for the locals. Since then, the state has passed no new gambling law or act. Statutes for Charitable Bingo Halls A non-profit organization can host charitable bingo games only after obtaining a license from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR).

At least three-year-old South Carolina NGOs can apply for the bingo license, and the organization must have been functional for at least two years.

Distributors, promoters, and manufacturers of bingo cards should also apply for a license from SCDOR. A promoter must pay a $1,000 license fee each year. The annual license fee for the distributor is $2,000, while the manufacturer can obtain a bingo license by paying $5,000 annually.

Further, bingo players must pay an entrance fee of $3, $5, or $18 as per the operator's class of license.

The state also allows players to use hand-held electronic dabbers to mark the cards during gameplay.

According to the Bingo Act 1976, a bingo game host can offer only one prize per gaming event. Changing the winning prize or offering unequally valued prizes is illegal for organizers. South Carolina Education Lottery The South Carolina government established the state lottery in November 2000, but ticket sales began in January 2002. Unlike other US states, the Palmetto State calls the lotto games the South Carolina Education Lottery.



According to the South Carolina Education Lottery Act, 40% of revenue goes to educational programs, 45% to prizes, and 15% to expenses.

Today, the state lottery hosts various types of lotto games, like Powerball, Palmetto Cash 5, Cash Pop, Mega Millions, Pick 4 Plus Fireball, and Pick 3 Plus Fireball. Currently, the state is also a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association.