Best Sports Betting Sites in South Carolina July 2023

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Admin in Gambling

South Carolina is one of the few states in the US that does not have any legal form of gambling, except for the state lottery and two cruise ship casinos that sail into international waters. However, there is a growing demand and interest among South Carolina residents and lawmakers to legalize sports betting in the state. In this article, we will review the current status of sports betting in South Carolina, the potential benefits and challenges of legalization, and the best offshore sports betting sites that accept South Carolina bettors.

Current Status of Sports Betting in South Carolina

Sports betting is currently illegal in South Carolina, both online and offline. The state constitution prohibits any form of gambling, except for the lottery and charitable bingo games. To legalize sports betting, the constitution would have to be amended by a statewide referendum and the approval of voters. This is a lengthy and complex process that requires a lot of political support and public education.

However, some lawmakers have introduced bills in recent years to pave the way for legal sports betting in South Carolina. In April 2022, a bill was introduced to authorize up to 12 online sportsbooks in South Carolina, with a $500,000 initial licensing fee and a 10% tax on revenues. The bill also proposed to allow cryptocurrency deposits for online sports betting. However, the bill did not advance beyond the committee stage.

Another bill prefiled in late 2022 ahead of the 2023 session seeks a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting, pari-mutuel horse racing betting, and casino gambling in South Carolina. The bill would set the stage for a statewide referendum asking voters if they support giving lawmakers the power to regulate these forms of gambling. If approved, the measure would move South Carolina one step closer to legalization.

In addition, some gubernatorial candidates have expressed their support for legalizing sports betting in South Carolina. Joe Cunningham, a former congressman and Democratic candidate for governor in 2023, has said he would push for online sports betting and retail sportsbooks if elected. He argues that legalizing sports betting would generate revenue for education, infrastructure, and health care, as well as create jobs and attract tourism.

Benefits and Challenges of Legalizing Sports Betting in South Carolina

Legalizing sports betting in South Carolina could bring several benefits to the state and its residents. Some of the potential benefits are:

Revenue: Legalizing sports betting could generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state budget, which could be used to fund various public services and programs. According to a study by Oxford Economics, legalizing sports betting nationwide could generate up to $19 billion in annual tax revenue for states and local governments.

Jobs: Legalizing sports betting could create thousands of jobs in the sports betting industry, as well as related sectors such as hospitality, tourism, entertainment, and media. According to the American Gaming Association, legalizing sports betting nationwide could support up to 152,000 jobs.

Tourism: Legalizing sports betting could attract more visitors to South Carolina, especially during major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, March Madness, or the Masters. This could boost the local economy and increase spending on hotels, restaurants, bars, and other attractions.

Consumer protection: Legalizing sports betting could provide a safe and regulated environment for South Carolina bettors who currently have to resort to illegal or offshore operators. Legal sportsbooks would have to comply with strict rules and regulations regarding security, fairness, responsible gambling, and customer service. Legal sportsbooks would also offer more options and incentives for bettors, such as competitive odds, bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs.

However, legalizing sports betting in South Carolina also faces several challenges and risks. Some of the potential challenges are:

Opposition: Legalizing sports betting in South Carolina could face strong opposition from some groups and individuals who are opposed to gambling on moral or religious grounds. Some may also argue that gambling is addictive and harmful to society and individuals. Legalizing sports betting would require convincing these opponents that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Competition: Legalizing sports betting in South Carolina could face competition from neighboring states that already have legal sports betting or are planning to do so. For example, North Carolina has authorized tribal casinos to offer sports betting on their premises. Georgia has also introduced bills to legalize online sports betting. These states could attract some South Carolina bettors who prefer convenience or variety.
Regulation: Legalizing sports betting in South Carolina would require establishing a regulatory framework that would oversee the licensing, taxation, auditing, enforcement, and consumer protection of the sports betting industry. This would require allocating resources and expertise to ensure that the industry operates efficiently and ethically.

Best Offshore Sports Betting Sites for South Carolina Bettors

While waiting for legal sports betting to arrive in South Carolina, bettors can still access offshore sports betting sites that accept customers from the state. These sites are not licensed or regulated by any US jurisdiction, but they have been operating for years and have established a reputation for reliability and quality. However, bettors should be aware of the risks and limitations of using offshore sports betting sites, such as lack of legal recourse, payment delays, currency conversion fees, and limited customer support.

Here are some of the best offshore sports betting sites for South Carolina bettors:

BetOnline: BetOnline is one of the most established and reputable offshore sports betting sites for the North American market. It has been in operation since 1994 and holds a license from the Curacao Gaming Commission. BetOnline offers a wide range of sports and markets, including football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, boxing, tennis, and more. It also offers in-play betting, live streaming, and a casino section. BetOnline accepts various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and several cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin. BetOnline also offers generous welcome bonuses, promotions, and rewards for new and existing customers.

XBet: XBet is another offshore sports betting site that caters to the North American market. It was launched in 2014 and is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Commission. XBet offers a user-friendly and mobile-optimized website that features a variety of sports and markets, including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, MMA, golf, tennis, and more. It also offers live betting, esports betting, and a casino section. XBet accepts various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. XBet also offers attractive welcome bonuses, promotions, and rewards for new and existing customers.

Bovada: Bovada is one of the most popular and trusted offshore sports betting sites for US bettors. It emerged in 2011 and is owned by the same company that operates Bodog, one of the pioneers of online gambling. Bovada offers a comprehensive and diverse sportsbook that covers all major sports and leagues, as well as niche sports and events. It also offers live betting, esports betting, and a casino section. Bovada accepts various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Zelle. Bovada also offers generous welcome bonuses, promotions, and rewards for new and existing customers.

Conclusion

Sports betting is currently illegal in South Carolina, but there is a growing movement to change that in the near future. Some lawmakers have introduced bills to legalize sports betting in the state, and some gubernatorial candidates have expressed their support for the idea. Legalizing sports betting could bring several benefits to South Carolina, such as revenue, jobs, tourism, and consumer protection. However, legalizing sports betting could also face several challenges and risks, such as opposition, competition, and regulation.

Some of the best offshore sports betting sites for South Carolina bettors are BetOnline, XBet, and Bovada. These sites offer a wide range of sports and markets, competitive odds, in-play betting, live streaming, casino games, various payment methods, and generous bonuses and promotions.

FAQ

Is sports betting legal in South Carolina?
No, sports betting is currently illegal in South Carolina. To legalize sports betting, the state constitution would have to be amended by a statewide referendum and the approval of voters.

What are the benefits of legalizing sports betting in South Carolina?
Legalizing sports betting could bring several benefits to South Carolina, such as revenue, jobs, tourism, and consumer protection.

What are the challenges of legalizing sports betting in South Carolina?
Legalizing sports betting could face several challenges and risks, such as opposition, competition, and regulation.

What are the best offshore sports betting sites for South Carolina bettors?
Some of the best offshore sports betting sites for South Carolina bettors are BetOnline, XBet, and Bovada. These sites offer a wide range of sports and markets, competitive odds, in-play betting, live streaming, casino games, various payment methods, and generous bonuses and promotions.