Sports Betting

Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in South Carolina

South Carolina sports betting is completely illegal. The Palmetto State remains one of only 11 states without legal sports betting and has faced persistent legislative blockade from Governor Henry McMaster, who has vowed to veto any gambling bill. South Carolina has never legalized sports betting despite multiple legislative attempts. At Shurzy, we skip the boring stuff and get straight to what works: South Carolina doesn't work. It's completely illegal with no legal betting options and a governor who blocks everything.

Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in South Carolina

Is Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?

No. Sports betting is completely illegal in South Carolina if you're any age. The state has never legalized sports betting despite multiple legislative attempts since 2018. Governor Henry McMaster has made it clear he will veto any gambling expansion bill, making legalization nearly impossible while he remains in office (through 2026).

You cannot bet in person at any location in South Carolina. You cannot bet online through mobile apps. No legal sports betting exists anywhere in the state.

Here's what you need to know:

Sports betting is completely illegal in South Carolina
No retail sportsbooks exist
No mobile betting exists
Governor McMaster vows to veto any gambling bill
Multiple bills stuck in committee since 2022 (HB 3625, SB 444)
State lottery is the only legal gambling option
No federally recognized tribes (no tribal casino pathway)

Governor Henry McMaster has publicly stated: "I will veto any gambling bill that comes to my desk." He argues South Carolina doesn't need gaming revenue, gambling is harmful to families and communities, and the state has no budget crisis requiring new revenue sources. With a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor who opposes gambling, there is no path to legalization while McMaster is in office.

Why South Carolina Can't Pass Sports Betting

South Carolina's sports betting deadlock is simple: the governor won't sign anything. Here's why:

Governor McMaster's Hard Veto Stance

Governor Henry McMaster has publicly stated he will veto any gambling bill that comes to his desk. His reasoning: South Carolina doesn't need gaming revenue, gambling is harmful to families and communities, and the state has no budget crisis requiring new revenue sources.

McMaster's term runs through January 2027. Until he leaves office, legalization is impossible unless the legislature achieves a veto override (requires two-thirds majority, extremely unlikely given Republican control and conservative values).

2025 Failed Bills

HB 3625 (sports betting legalization) and SB 444 (alternative sports betting proposal) have both been stuck in committee indefinitely since 2022. Neither bill has advanced to a floor vote. Both bills have been pending for multiple legislative sessions with zero progress.

Legislative History: Repeated Failures

2022-2025: HB 3625 and SB 444 introduced, stuck in committee every year, no progress. 2019-2021: Multiple bills introduced, all failed. 2018: South Carolina lawmakers did not pursue sports betting after the PASPA decision. Pattern: South Carolina has shown consistent legislative failure and zero momentum toward legalization.

Why this matters: Even if bills pass the legislature, Governor McMaster will veto them. The legislature knows this, so they don't bother advancing bills to floor votes. This creates a perpetual stalemate.

Shurzy tip: Governor McMaster leaves office in January 2027. That's the earliest possible window for legalization, and even then it depends on whether the next governor supports gambling. Don't hold your breath.

What South Carolina Residents Cannot Do

South Carolina bans all gambling except state lottery (Powerball, Mega Millions, instant games), horse racing at specific tracks (extremely limited), and charitable raffles (very limited).

South Carolina bans: ❌ Sports betting ❌ Casinos ❌ Online gambling ❌ Daily Fantasy Sports (explicitly banned in 2016) ❌ Tribal casinos (South Carolina has no federally recognized tribes)

The only legal gambling in South Carolina: State lottery with Powerball, Mega Millions, and instant scratch-off games.

How to Bet on Sports in South Carolina (Legally)

There are no legal sports betting options in South Carolina. Here's what South Carolina residents do:

Travel to neighboring states: North Carolina is 2+ hours west from South Carolina and offers statewide mobile betting with full operator lineup. Virginia is 3+ hours north and offers statewide mobile betting with full operator lineup and over $6,850 in combined bonuses. Georgia has no legal sports betting.
State lottery: South Carolina operates a state lottery with Powerball, Mega Millions, and instant scratch-off games. This is the only legal betting option available.

Shurzy tip: Most South Carolina residents just drive to North Carolina. It's a 2+ hour drive from most South Carolina cities to North Carolina, where you can download DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM and claim $1,500+ in bonuses.

Sports Betting Tips for South Carolina Residents

South Carolina betting is nonexistent. Here's how to make the best of it:

Drive to North Carolina for mobile betting. North Carolina is 2+ hours west from South Carolina and offers statewide mobile betting with massive bonuses. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365 all operate in North Carolina. Sign up in North Carolina and claim over $7,050 in combined bonuses.
Consider Virginia. Virginia is 3+ hours north from South Carolina and offers statewide mobile betting with competitive bonuses. Over $6,850 in combined welcome bonuses available.
Don't expect legalization before 2027. Governor McMaster vows to veto any gambling bill and remains in office through January 2027. Even after he leaves, the next governor may also oppose gambling. The realistic timeline for legalization is 2027-2028 at earliest, more likely 2028 or beyond.

Shurzy tip: South Carolina is losing massive revenue to North Carolina and Virginia. North Carolina generated $811.4M in handle in October 2025 alone, a single month record.

Responsible Betting (Not Applicable in South Carolina)

All sports betting is illegal in South Carolina. If you have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), available 24/7. You can also call 1-800-522-4700.

Final Take

South Carolina sports betting is completely illegal with zero legal options. South Carolina is one of only 11 states without legal sports betting and faces a gubernatorial veto barrier that makes legalization impossible until at least 2027.

Earliest possible legalization is 2027 or later (after McMaster leaves office in January 2027). If McMaster's successor supports gambling, legalization could happen 2027-2028. A more likely scenario is 2028 or beyond if the next governor also opposes gambling. South Carolina could be among the last states to legalize sports betting, along with Hawaii, Utah, and Idaho.

Shurzy tip: No spreadsheets, no stress. Just fast picks, good promos, and wins you can flex. That's the Shurzy way. (But honestly, South Carolina doesn't have sports betting at all, so just drive to North Carolina and claim those bonuses instead.)

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