1. Gambling Boat In South Carolina
2. Online Gambling In South Carolina
3. Gambling Laws In South Carolina
4. Online Gambling In South Carolina

South Carolina Gambling Laws There are only two forms of state-approved gambling formats available in South Carolina: charitable gambling in the form of bingo and raffles, and the state lottery. Even social games, such as home poker games, are illegal in the Palmetto State. South Carolina may be limited in terms of gambling options, but residents have access to online casino, poker, bingo and sports gambling through licensed offshore vendors. Check out our guide on South Carolina Online Gambling to learn about these legal options. The town of Charleston is found in the state of South Carolina (United States). Holding 127000 inhabitants, it is regarded as a big town. Charleston hasn't got a casino but that's nothing to be concerned about. Click here to view the “Gambling Registry of Qualified Providers,” a resource for individuals to seek help when obtaining treatment for gambling addiction. For more information about gambling services in South Carolina, please call the SC Gambling Helpline at 1-877-452-5155.

Nation Tribe: Catawba Indian Nation

Dixon School Road
Kings Mountain, NC

The federal government has approved plans of the Catawba Indian Nation to build a casino resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, a small suburban city near the stateline with South Carolina and 33 miles west of Charlotte. See news article.

The new casino will be named 'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort'. The location is near the Kings Mountain Boulevard interchange at I-85 Exit 5.

Casino Status

The Catawba Indians held a groundbreaking ceremony July 22, 2020 and began construction of the casino the next day.

Native American tribes require federal recognition and federal approval before building a casino under the Indian Gaming Regulation Act. The Catawba received federal recognition in 1993 and is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina.

In September 2013 the Catawba tribe took its first major step towards building a casino when it filed an application with the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for a land trust and casino rights on 16 acres near Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The ancestral homeland of the Catawba stretched from South Carolina, through North Carolina and into southern Virginia.

Since the Catawba Indian Nation filed its application in 2013, there was five years of delays and no action by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This prompted South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to introduce the bill in March 2019 to bypass the BIA and approve the application by an act of Congress. Read the news story 'New Hope for Catawba Casino at Kings Mountain NC' (below).

This resulted in federal approval for the Kings Mountain being granted March 12, 2020 by the U.S. Department of Interior. Read more.

On Jan. 22, 2021 the Catawba Nation annouonced the signing of a gaming compact with the state governor that will allow Class III gaming at the casino. Class III are 'house-banked' games. Without the compact the Two Kings Casino would be limited to Class II gaming, which is non-banked casino games played against other players.

Opening Date

After a groundbreaking ceremony July 22, 2020, the Catawba Indians began preliminary construction the next day of their Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort.

A temporary casino is planned for Fall 2021 while construction continues on the final casino. The final Two Kings Casino would be completed in 2022.

News

Catawba Indian Nation signs gaming compact with Gov. CooperJanuary 27, 2021 - The Catawba Two Kings Casino took a major step forward when the Catawba Indian Nation signed a gaming compact with Gov. Roy Cooper last Friday. The gaming agreement will allow Two Kings... Read more Kings Mountain casino construction faces showdown in courtJanuary 19, 2021 - As the Catawba Indian Nation continues construction on its Two Kings Casino at Kings Mountain, NC, a showdown in federal court with the Eastern Band of Cherokees is coming in... Read moreKings Mountain Casino plans temporary opening this FallJanuary 10, 2021 - The Catawba Indian Nation plans to build a 60,000-square-foot initial casino that will open this fall. Tribal Administrator Elizabeth Harris said 'After clearing is complete, we will begin building an... Read more Headlines continued...

Casino Description

The initial plan to build a resort casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina was announced by Chief Bill Harris at a tribal meeting on September 7, 2013.

Project: $273 million casino complex that will create 5,000 construction jobs and generate $300 million of annual economic activity.

Location: The casino site is 16 acres in the northwestern quadrant of the intersection of Kings Mountain Blvd. and I-85 (Exit 5) in Kings Mountain, NC.

Casino Name: The tribe will partner with a major casino brand for the naming.

Casino: 195,000-square-foot casino comples with a 75,128-square-foot gaming floor, 1,796 electronic gaming devices and 54 table games.

Hotel: 1,500 hotel rooms

Restaurants & Stores: Space with 940 seats

Entertainment Center: Full concert and event venue.

Casino Opposition

Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians
The Catawba plan raised immediate opposition from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, who called it a 'land grab.' The tribe operates Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino, both in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

North Carolina Legislature
A letter written by House Speaker Thom Tillis and signed by a hundred House members sent to the United States Secretary of the Interior requesting the Catawba trust application be denied.

Haywood County
The Haywood County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Apr 3, 2019 opposing the Catawba casino proposed in Cleveland County. Haywood County is the first of seven western counties to respond to a request from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to oppose the Catawba casino.

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Gaming

195,000-square-foot casino complex
75,128-square-foot gaming floor

1,796 slot machines or electronic gaming machines

54 table games

The type of gaming is yet to be determined. Class II gaming has been approved by the federal government, however, the Catawba tribe will try to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the North Carolina state government. A Class III compact would establish the type and number of games and the percentage of revenue the Catawba would pay to the state.

Restaurants

Restaurants with seating for 940 guests. The number of restaurants and their cuisines will be announced at a later date.

Entertainment

A full entertainment center will be built to host concerts and other special events.

Hotel

1,500 guest rooms
There will be one and maybe two hotels on the property.

Retail Space

News Articles

Catawba Indian Nation signs gaming compact with Gov. Cooper

January 27, 2021

The Catawba Two Kings Casino took a major step forward when the Catawba Indian Nation signed a gaming compact with Gov. Roy Cooper last Friday. The gaming agreement will allow Two Kings Casino to operate Class III casino games, which includes Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, craps, keno and roulette.

The agreement requires final approval by the U.S. Department of Interior, which will give a greenlight to start full production on the Two Kings Casino. A temporary casino is planned for this fall during construction of the main casino.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Kings Mountain casino construction faces showdown in court

January 19, 2021

As the Catawba Indian Nation continues construction on its Two Kings Casino at Kings Mountain, NC, a showdown in federal court with the Eastern Band of Cherokees is coming within a few weeks.

Legal battles continue with Kings Mountain casino construction underway - Courtesy of FOX 46 Charlotte, Jan 18, 2021. Available from YouTube

Last month the Federal District Court in Washington DC expediated a case filed by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians against the Catawba Nation and the US Interior Department to stop construction of the Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, NC.

The Cherokee Indians claim the approval by the Interior Department to build the casino was illegal and the efforts of the Catawba Nation, which is headquartered in South Carolina, is simply a 'land grab'.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians have been the only tribe with casinos in North Carolina. The tribe owns Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino, both located in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Kings Mountain Casino plans temporary opening this Fall

January 10, 2021

The Catawba Indian Nation plans to build a 60,000-square-foot initial casino that will open this fall. Tribal Administrator Elizabeth Harris said 'After clearing is complete, we will begin building an introductory facility.'

The temporary casino will feature 1,300 slot machines and a restaurant. its location will be off Dixon School Road near Interstate 85.

The Catawba Nation is currently seeking a gaming compact with Gov. Roy Cooper to allow Vegas-style slots and table games in exchange for tax payments on the gaming revenues. Construction may wait until an agreement is signed.

A lawsuit against the Catawba casino has been filed by the Eastern Band of the Cherokees, who claim the casino project is a 'modern-day land grab'. The court wants the final legal filings for this case by the end of this month.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Federal Bill introduced to protect NC Land for Catawba Two Kings Casino

October 30, 2020

A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last month to add Congressional support to the decision by the U.S. Interior Department to transfer North Carolina land owned by the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina into federal trust for the purpose of building the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, NC.

The intent of House Bill HR 8255 is to stop the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from preventing the construction of the Catawba casino. The bill reaffirms the Interior Department's decision to transfer 17 acres of land in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, into federal trust for the Catawba Tribe. The trust removes state jurisdiction over the casino land and places it under the authority of the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Bill HR 8255 titled the Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act was introduced by Rep. GK Butterfield (D-North Carolina) and co-sponsored by four Democrats and three Republicans

Back Full Page >Two Kings

New North Carolina casino is named 'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort'

September 3, 2020

Last Friday the Catawba Indian Nation announced the official name of the new casino under construction at Kings Mountain, NC. The casino name will be 'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort'.

Catawba Chief Bill Harris told the press:

'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort celebrates our rich history and hopeful future in our ancestral lands in North Carolina - where our people were established hundreds of years ago, as the names Catawba River, Catawba County and Catawba College suggest.

'The name pays tribute to the 18th century Catawba Chief King Hagler and to the City of Kings Mountain, which will be home to the new casino resort. It also symbolizes the unique relationship that the Catawba people have historically had - and will continue to strengthen going forward - with fellow residents of the region.'

The logo for the new casino depicts the two kings: King Hagler and Kings Mountain.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Catawba King Mountain Casino is opposed by Buncombe County

August 23, 2020

Buncombe County has joined the Eastern Band of Cherokee in opposition to the tribal casino under construction by the Catawba Indian Nation at Kings Mountain, NC. The Catawba Indians are headquartered in South Carolina with ancestral lands in North Carolina.

Last Tuesday the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to pass a resolution denouncing the Catawba casino. The commissioners fear the new casino will harm the revenues and jobs provided by the two casinos of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Cherokee, NC 28719

Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino
Murphy, NC 28906

The board's action will not delay construction of the Kings Mountain casino, but may influence the governor's decision regarding a gaming compact to allow Class III gaming at the casino. The Eastern Band of Cherokee has filed a second lawsuit to stop construction after an earlier suit failed in federal court.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Catawba Indians start construction on $300M Kings Mountain casino

July 24, 2020

The Catawba Indians celebrated the groundbreaking for their $300M Kings Mountain casino resort on Wednesday morning, and construction began Thursday morning. The casino should be completed and opened by next spring. Construction will follow on the resort hotel with final completion within three years.

Catawba Groundbreaking July 22, 2020

Catawbas break ground on $300M Vegas-like casino in Kings Mountain
Courtesy of WSOCTV9, . Available from YouTube

The Catawba Indian Nation has started construction of their casino despite lawsuit to stop them filed by the Eastern Band of Cherokees.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Kings Mountain Casino plan gets federal approval

March 19, 2020

Last week the U.S. Department of Interior approved the Catawba Nation's application to build a $273 million tribal casino and resort in Kings Mountain, NC.

Courtesy of WBTV 3

In a letter to the tribe from Tara Sweeney, assistant secretary of the Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs, the government will take 50 acres of Catawba-owned land into federal trust with 17 acres dedicated for the casino and 33 acres for related development.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokees, owners of Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort, are upset and opposed to this decision. The federal letter addresses this issue in these statements:

The Catawba tribe has 'both a tribal population and governmental presence in North Carolina where the site is located.'

'Though the Site falls within an area where another tribe may assert aboriginal ties, that fact does not detract from the Nation's ties to the land.'

Catawba Chief William Harris added in a press conference:

'[The tribe] is very thankful for the department's decision to take this land into trust, enabling us to achieve the promise of self-determination though economic development.'

'It's a righting of a wrong. We have now regained what once belonged to us.'

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Proposed Kings Mountain Casino gets environmental assessment

December 28, 2019

The Catawba Indian Nation is nearing an important milestone in their quest to build an Indian gaming casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has finished its Environmental Assessment of the proposed casino site at Dixon School Road and I-85 Exit 5.

The study is a 674-page report published on Dec. 18. It covers the environmental impact of building a tribal casino and entertainment complex on the 16-acre site. Local residents now have 30 days to review and make comments on the report. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will then decide whether to move forward and transfer the land into trust of the Catawba Indian Nation.

This will be a major step forward for the tribe if the transfer is approved by the BIA. The timeframe to build and open the casino could then be two to three years.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

New Hope for Catawba Casino at Kings Mountain NC

March 16, 2019

After five years of no action by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the casino application submitted in 2013 by the Catawba Indian Nation, Sen. Linsay Graham (R-SC) has introduced a Senate bill to bypass the agency and approve placing the Catawba casino site into federal trust by an act of Congress.

The two North Carolina senators, Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, both co-sponsor the bill.

'The Catawba Nation has been treated unfairly by the federal government, and our legislation rights that wrong,' said Sen. Graham. 'I hope this legislation will be quickly passed through the Congress and signed into law so we can once and for all bring resolution to this issue.'

Within hours of the bill's introduction, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians issued a statement of opposition. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is the only federally-recognized tribe in North Caolina.

'The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' (EBCI) centuries-long North Carolina tradition has created a lasting partnership with the state to provide a strong future for generations through health care, education and business. While the tribe respects and encourages progress for other Native American communities, including South Carolina's Catawba Indian Nation, the recent filing of a bill in the US Senate to give North Carolina land to the South Carolina tribe for an off-reservation casino is nothing more than a modern day land grab by the federal government of Cherokee aboriginal lands. This action circumvents the existing process for the Catawba Indian Nation to acquire lands in South Carolina, is unprecedented in US history, and a federal government bully tactic that should not be part of modern governing. We encourage the Catawba Indian Nation to go through the same process in their home state of South Carolina that the EBCI did in North Carolina to build their business - to develop their on-reservation economy as it should be - in their community. Doing it the right way will ensure they are able to take care of their members and support their local community as we've done for years in North Carolina.'

Gambling Boat In South Carolina

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Kings Mountain Casino seeking Partnership

July 26, 2015

Development plans are moving forward for the new Kings Mountain casino. The Catawba Indian Nation are the owners of the casino. The tribe is looking for a nationally recognized casino brand company to partner with them.

A possible partnership could be with Hard Rock International. The Hard Rock brand is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A partnership between the two could bring additional support from political leaders for the Kings Mountain casino.

If a partnership is able to be formed, the Catawba Indian Nation will be able to provide a proven and regulated structure to their project. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are the operators of the only other tribal casino in the state. They own the Harrah's Cherokee.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Group Opposes Kings Mountain Casino

June 30, 2014

The Catawba Indian tribe has proposed a new casino near Kings Mountain. The proposal has caused a controversy.

The Kings Mountain Awareness Group has challenged the impact that the casino will have on the area.

Meetings have been organized by the group for both business owners and the community.

On July 17 another meeting will be held with a speaker from D.C. that will talk about the negative affects of small communities and casinos.

The group also plans to attend future Kings Mountain City Council meetings. As well as Cleveland County Board of Commissioners. The group intends to speak about their concerns of the Kings Mountain casino at the meetings. They are also hopeful to have local politicians change their support for the casino.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

Catawba Indian Nation Looks to Build New Casino in NC

September 09, 2013

The Catawba Indian Nation, located in South Carolina, is proposing a new casino to be built. However, the casino would be built just over the North Carolina border.

Previously the tribe has been trying to build a casino in South Carolina. The state has been opposed the project whenever submitted.

Lawmakers for North Carolina are also not in favor of the casino project. It is believed the Catawba Indian Nation project is approved, then other tribes from out of state will also try to build their casino there.

The tribe believes that the casino project will create many new jobs for the area. As well as earn the state and local economy millions in gaming revenues.

Back Full Page >Two Kings

New Headlines

Federal Bill introduced to protect NC Land for Catawba Two Kings CasinoOctober 30, 2020 - A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last month to support the transfer North Carolina land owned by the Catawba Indians of South Carolina into... Read moreNew North Carolina casino is named 'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort'September 3, 2020 - Last Friday the Catawba Indian Nation announced the official name of the new casino under construction at Kings Mountain, NC will be the 'Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort'.... Read moreCatawba King Mountain Casino is opposed by Buncombe CountyAugust 23, 2020 - Buncombe County has joined the Eastern Band of Cherokee in opposition to the tribal casino under construction by the Catawba Indian Nation at Kings Mountain, NC. The... Read more Catawba Indians start construction on $300M Kings Mountain casinoJuly 24, 2020 - The Catawba Indians celebrated the groundbreaking for their $300M Kings Mountain casino resort on Wednesday morning, and construction began Thursday morning.... Read moreKings Mountain Casino plan gets federal approvalMarch 19, 2020 - The U.S. Department of Interior has approved plans submitted by the Catawba Indian Nation to build a $273M casino resort in Kings Mountain, NC. The tribe is headquartered in South Carolina.... Read moreProposed Kings Mountain Casino gets environmental assessmentDecember 28, 2019 - The Bureau of Indian Affairs published an Environment Assessment Report last week on the impact of building a casino and entertainment complex in Kings Mountain, NC.... Read moreNew Hope for Catawba Casino at Kings Mountain NCMarch 16, 2019 - Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a US Senate bill to bypass a 5-year delay by the US Interior Department and qualify the Catawba Indian Nation to build a casino at Kings Mountain, NC.... Read more

Online Gambling In South Carolina

07.26.2015 Catawba Kings Mountain Casino seeking Partnership06.3.2014 Group Opposes Catawba Kings Mountain Casino

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• Year Regulated Gambling: Lottery (2001)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: About $400 million per year
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: About $1.4 billion per year
• Gambling Age: 18
• Smoking ban: South Carolina does not have a smoking ban
• Online gambling status: None

South Carolina casinos, as well as gambling, was once more popular than in Nevada. This occurred in the 1990s when video poker operators discovered a loophole in the South Carolina gambling laws.

Casinos opened up throughout the state. Gas stations, bars, and restaurants all hosted video poker games. These games were outlawed in 2000. A state lottery was created a year later. The only other forms of legal gambling are charity bingo and a casino cruise that docks near Myrtle Beach.

Paying Gambling Taxes in South Carolina

Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

South Carolina Casinos Map & Guide

• Big M Casino

• Number of B&M Casinos: 0
• Number of Poker Rooms: 0
• Number of Indian Casinos: 0

Types of South Carolina Online Gambling Allowed

There are no forms of legalized online gambling in South Carolina. Daily fantasy sports sites accept players from South Carolina. These companies claim exemption under South Carolina’s skill game laws.

A spokesman for the South Carolina Attorney General’s office stated in November 2015 that there were no complaints by residents pertaining to daily fantasy sports sites. The South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson had no intention of investigating the industry, according to the spokesman.

Types of Live South Carolina Gambling

• Casino Games: Some
• Bingo: Yes
• Lottery: Yes

There are only two forms of live gambling permitted in South Carolina. The state lottery sells tickets to lotto drawings. It also sells scratch-off instant game tickets. There is only one South Carolina casino currently operating within the state, the Big M Casino. This South Carolina casino is able to operate due to the fact that it acts as a cruise casino. People are able to book a short trip on the cruise while they gamble at the casino games tables. This goes back to the gambling laws surrounding boats.

Bingo is permitted is offered by charitable organizations. Entries must be $3, $5 or $18. The prize pool must be announced before the night of the games and cannot be based on the amount of the prize pool. The Catawba Tribe is permitted to spread high stakes bingo games due to this law through its exemption under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Attempts by the tribe to expand into casino operations have failed.

South Carolina Gambling Laws

South Carolina forbids most forms of gambling. Slots, video poker machines, table games and racing are all illegal. The possession of gambling devices is only permitted on cruise ships docked in water or in transport en route to licensed casinos.

The only forms of legalized gambling in South Carolina are a state lottery and bingo. State law permits the operation of a lottery by the government. Proceeds must go towards education. Only traditional tickets to instant games and lottos may be sold. South Carolina’s lottery may enter multi-state drawings and it does. This includes Mega Millions and Powerball. The lottery may not operate keno games for real money or expand into video lottery.

The Bingo Act of 1976 permits charities to offer bingo with a few rules. A game may only have one winner. The prize for each game offered during a session must be equal. Auto-daubers were permitted in 2004 but only to facilitate a traditional bingo game. Video bingo games are explicitly prohibited.

A nonprofit organization must be active for three years in the state to receive a bingo license. It must be a charitable, religious or fraternal organization. Each licensed bingo site must pay $1,000 per year. Manufacturers pay $5,000 per year to place devices related to bingo. Promoters must pay $2,000 per year to operate in South Carolina. The first $948,000 per year in annual revenue generated from bingo licensing must go towards senior citizen services and parks. Any overage may enter the general fund.

List of South Carolina Casinos

The only places to gamble in South Carolina are convenience stores that sell lottery tickets, charities that offer bingo and the Catawba reservation near Rock Hill, which offers high stakes bingo.

The only South Carolina casinos are the Big M Casino and SunCruz Aquacasino, which are cruise casinos, dock in the Little River Inlet just north of Myrtle Beach. Players may enjoy video poker, slots, craps, roulette and table games that use cards on these ships. The cruises may not operate casino games until they have entered international waters.

History of South Carolina Gambling

Racing was the first form South Carolina gambling. Horses and greyhounds raced early last century. The conservative movement during the days after World War II put an end to this type of gambling.

The first form of legalized South Carolina gambling in the modern days was bingo. This occurred in 1976. Only charities may offer bingo although the Catawba Tribe also operates the games through its exemption under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The rules pertaining to buy-ins and prize pools do not apply to reservation bingo games.

Voters approved a state lottery through a constitutional referendum in 2001. The first lottery ticket was sold in January 2002. The only permitted games are lotto drawings and instant scratch-off tickets. These are sold at convenience stores but not over the Internet.

The most interesting part of South Carolina gambling history started in 1986. A state gambling law was quietly edited and attached to a must-pass budget bill. The language removed the words “or property” from an anti-gambling statute. This was meant to legalize arcade redemption games, although there was some question as to whether the intent was always to find a back door for video poker machines.

Gambling devices began appearing in convenience stores and bars. It was not long before casinos opened throughout the state. At one point there were 7,000 places to gamble, three times more than Nevada at the time. There were about 34,000 video poker machines in these establishments. It was not until 1989 that lawmakers realized what they had done three years prior. By that time, the video poker industry in South Carolina had exploded into a nine-figure industry in terms of annual revenues.

The first step towards controlling video poker was a law passed by the state legislature that limited daily winnings to $125. This law was skirted when video poker operators simply cashed out $125 per day until a larger jackpot was paid in full.

South Carolina video poker establishments were limited to five machines per location. Owners determined that a location was simply an address. The solution was to wall off multiple rooms and call it a separate business. Many casinos, as they were advertised, continued to stuff dozens of games into a building. Walls were constructed to separate them.

South Carolina outlawed the operation of video poker on Sundays. This was a law the operators actually obeyed.

Many of these South Carolina casinos were gaudy and considered eyesores in the community. The state lines with Georgia and North Carolina was littered with them.

South Carolina received no benefit from these machines in terms of taxes. There was no minimum age to play, although most video poker malls required patrons to be at least 19 years of age.

The video poker lobby even managed to defeat a popular governor, Republican David Beasley. Video poker operators backed Democrat Jim Hodges with millions in campaign funds. A historically Republican state saw a Democrat win its gubernatorial race thanks to the video poker’s campaign contributions.

The state had enough of this and in 1999, the state legislature decided to put an end to the industry. The South Carolina Legislature passed a bill, signed by Governor Hodges, which put the matter up for a statewide referendum. Voters would decide in a November 1999 referendum whether video poker should remain legal in South Carolina.

There was just one problem with this law. The South Carolina Constitution does not give its citizens a referendum right unless it is a constitutional amendment. The law stated that if South Carolinians did not affirm the legality of video poker, it would become illegal after June 30, 2000.

Gambling Laws In South Carolina

Some observers at the time wondered if this was intentional. The state legislature made it appear that it would allow the citizens to decide whether video poker should be legal in South Carolina. They never got the chance. The South Carolina Supreme Court deemed that its citizens could not vote on the measure because the state constitution did not permit such an action. Because of this ruling, video poker became illegal on July 1, 2000. The machines were moved to other states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and West Virginia, where the games still enjoyed a gray area status at the time.

Online Gambling In South Carolina

South Carolina Casinos & Gambling FAQ

The only forms of legalized gambling in South Carolina are bingo and a state lottery.

It is widely believed daily fantasy sports are legal in South Carolina. State Attorney General Alan Wilson has yet to issue an official opinion on the topic.

Horse and greyhound racing are not legal in South Carolina.

No.

The only form of online gambling permitted in South Carolina at this time is daily fantasy sports.

All of these games are illegal in South Carolina. The sites that operate the games are unlicensed in the state.

Lottery tickets are not sold online in South Carolina.

Video poker was outlawed in 2000.