Legal Poker For South Carolina Residents
Is South Carolina a state where safe and legal opportunities to play poker abound—or are games like Texas Hold'em and stud few and far between? Well, poker enthusiast who live in the state will surely be the first to say that South Carolina is neither a particularly progressive nor a particularly permissive state, as far as playing poker for money is concerned. Indeed, the state’s attitudes toward the game and other forms of betting are really quite restrictive, with casinos all but non-existent and even home poker games frowned upon by the government. With that said, those who say that there are no safe ways to gamble in South Carolina are not entirely correct; online poker is one option that is surprisingly recommendable to South Carolina natives.
This page will weigh all of these topics and concerns, and many others. An educational resource for those seeking to understand their South Carolina gambling options, the page will first consider some of the laws on South Carolina’s books. From there, we will address some specific concerns about land-based poker, and we will conclude with comments about the nature of South Carolina’s online poker restrictions.
South Carolina Poker Laws & Statutes
In 2012, a South Carolina Supreme Court did something that is almost unparalleled in the United States: It ruled that even home poker games are illegal. Citing a law from 1802, the court noted that any game of poker that is played for money is technically illegal in the state. Even many of the most restrictive states allow for home poker games, so, all things considered, it seems as though South Carolina may be one of the least gamer-friendly states in the country.
That’s saying something, and it is obviously not good for those who love to gamble. Worse still, South Carolina’s casino options are extremely limited. The silver lining is that there is one convenient and safe way for the state’s residents to play poker, and that’s to visit online poker rooms. We will return to this topic in a few moments.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in South Carolina?
A related question, and an obvious follow-up, is the question of whether online poker is legal in the state. This is where things get a bit more complicated, but also more advantageous for South Carolina poker lovers. As you can probably guess, online poker is not outright allowed or condoned in the state’s laws. With that said, it is nevertheless a safe option—and really the only safe option—for South Carolina poker lovers.
The distinction we must make is that between what is legal and what is safe. Online poker is not something that South Carolina’s laws explicitly allow, but it is also not something that the state actively criminalizes. Those who live in South Carolina and wish to participate in online poker sites can do so without worry and without fear of legal consequences.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker South Carolina?
These words of assurance may not be enough for some South Carolina gamers, so we come now to a related question. As a South Carolina resident, will you get into legal trouble for playing in online poker rooms? Once again, our answer is—perhaps surprisingly—a no. To understand why this is, you must understand one basic point about anti-poker laws.
That point is simply this: Laws pertaining to online poker penalize those who own and operate online poker sites. Those who simply play in online poker rooms are not penalized. As such, South Carolina residents can participate in online poker games without any concerns about legal penalties.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept South Carolina Players
If you live in South Carolina, you may be under the assumption that an exciting and profitable hobby playing poker is out of reach since there are no functioning, legal poker rooms in your home state. Fortunately, you are mistakes. Many residents not only in South Carolina but across the entire US have taken to playing poker in legal online poker rooms, even when land based options are available. The offerings, such as the ones listed below, are just too good.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For South Carolina
If you live in South Carolina and are looking for the absolute best place to play poker online, your search may very well begin and end in the same spot. Bovada is the most well-known of all legal poker sites for South Carolina residents and for good reason, it also happens to be one of the very best. When you sign up with Bovada you have access to not only on of the most diverse and complete poker rooms in the world, online or otherwise, but the financial network associated with the legal poker site is second to none. When you sit at one of these virtual tables, you won’t have to waste any energy worrying about where your money is going, you need only rest assured you are playing with one of the most legitimate sites on the web and devote your full focus on the game at hand.
Make no mistake, you will want to maintain your focus: Bovada offers thousands of tables for the discerning poker player, all easily accessed through the use of their cutting edge and intuitive poker software. Tournaments catering to all skill levels are hosted, from sit and go’s with buy ins as small as $2 to individual hands with $100 blinds, if you’re playing poker for fun, profit, or anywhere in between, you’ll find a most welcoming home in Bovada's poker room.
BetOnline Poker - All South Carolina Players 18+ Welcome Here
If you are in the market for a fresh take on legal online poker, the folks over at BetOnline are in the market to serve all residents of South Carolina. As one of the most rapidly expanding poker rooms in the entire world, BetOnline strives to not only attract new users by the thousands, but to entice them to stick around by providing world class quality and service. A quick glance at the numbers behind their client base will tell you that all of their efforts are paying dividends.
After signing up with BetOnline, you will surely stay for the high quality and diversity surrounding their poker tables, but you’ll surely show up for the great offer they have for new users. When you first start up your account with the BetOnline poker room and make your initial deposit, you’ll soon find that not only is all the money you’ve deposited in your account able to be freely wagered in poker games, but that money will also be eligible for a 200% bump in the form of bonus money that may also be freely wagered anywhere in the BetOnline poker room. In order to qualify for the 200% bonus, you need do only one simple thing with your account – play poker! Sign up soon while this deal lasts, and see for yourself why South Carolina residents are running to BetOnline for all their poker needs
| Legal South Carolina Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does South Carolina Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
With those preliminary points out of the way, we turn now to some specific concerns about poker’s legality in South Carolina. We have already made it fairly clear that those seeking live, land-based poker games are more or less out of luck, with even for-money home games being frowned upon by the state. As you might expect, South Carolina offers nothing in the way of true casinos, though there are one or two casino cruises that residents can board, along the coast.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For South Carolina Players
After all of this, we come to the question of where poker lovers can find opportunities to play in South Carolina. As we have noted, land-based and live games are going to be hard to come by. Home games are largely forbidden, and casino action is limited to a couple of offshore casino cruises.
Online poker rooms are much more plentiful. They also happen to be more convenient, and much safer. As such, they represent the best options for South Carolina poker lovers. And, as it happens, there are numerous online poker rooms that will prove more than willing to embrace players from South Carolina!
Future of Poker/Online Poker in South Carolina
Will a day ever come when South Carolina is a bit more lenient in its views regarding poker? Will online poker ever be made fully, legally recognized? It’s hard to say, as the state’s gambling laws are so old-fashioned; even so, more and more states are headed in that direction, so there is certainly hope.
For now, South Carolina poker lovers need to know about the opportunities available to them. Most of those opportunities come online. Casinos and home games may not be truly viable options, but online poker rooms are both safe and numerous. For those seeking legal South Carolina poker opportunities, online gaming sites are as close as it comes!
