The Short Answer
South Carolina does not have legal, regulated online poker. South Carolina has virtually no regulated gambling. The state banned video poker in 2000. There are no commercial casinos, no tribal casinos with full gaming, and no legal sports betting. The state lottery is the only regulated gambling form.
South Carolina players who want to play online poker access offshore operators. The PokerSites.org review team's top picks for South Carolina players in June 2026 are BetOnline Poker and Bovada Poker.
Best Offshore Poker Sites for South Carolina Players (June 2026)
1. BetOnline Poker — Best Overall for SC Players
- 100% deposit match up to $1,000 on first crypto deposit
- Crypto withdrawals in 18–36 hours
- Daily tournaments and 24/7 cash games
Visit: Read our full BetOnline review
2. Bovada Poker — Best for Recreational SC Players
- 100% deposit match up to $500
- Anonymous tables prevent HUD tracking
- Zone Poker (fast-fold) available
Visit: Read our full Bovada review
3. Americas Cardroom — Best Tournaments
- Venom tournament: $10M guaranteed
- 100% deposit match up to $2,000
Visit: Read our full Americas Cardroom review
South Carolina Online Poker Legal Status
Current Law
South Carolina Code § 16-19 covers gambling offenses. The state constitution (Article XVII, Section 7) restricts lotteries and gambling. South Carolina banned video poker terminals in 2000 after years of widespread unregulated machines. No commercial casino or sports betting statute exists. No statute addresses online poker.
Legislative Outlook
South Carolina is among the most restrictive gambling states. The video poker ban in 2000 reflected anti-gambling sentiment that persists in the legislature. Casino and sports betting bills have been introduced but gain minimal traction. Online poker is not on the political radar. No realistic timeline exists.
Banking for South Carolina Players
| Method | Availability | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin / crypto | All 3 recommended sites | Deposit: instant. Withdrawal: 18–72 hours |
| Voucher / P2P | Bovada, ACR | Deposit: 1–4 hours. Withdrawal: 24–48 hours |
| Credit/debit card | Limited success | Most bank issuers block transactions |
Cryptocurrency is the recommended method for South Carolina players using offshore sites.
Live Poker in South Carolina
South Carolina has no casinos or poker rooms. Players travel to North Carolina (Harrah's Cherokee) or take a short trip to Atlantic City or the Gulf Coast for live poker. Home games are common but operate in a legal grey area.
Responsible Gambling — South Carolina Resources
- South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services — problem gambling referrals
- National Council on Problem Gambling — 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
- Gamblers Anonymous — gamblersanonymous.org
For the full PokerSites.org responsible-gambling policy, see our Responsible Gambling page.
Last reviewed: 14 June 2026 by Jason Murphy, Senior Editor. Next scheduled review: 14 August 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: PokerSites.org receives a referral commission when readers register with operators we link to. Our ratings are set before any commercial relationship and are not negotiable. See our editorial policy for the full disclosure.