As of 2026, sports betting is not legal in South Carolina through a regulated statewide sportsbook market. The state does not currently have licensed online or retail sportsbooks where residents can place traditional wagers on professional or college sports.
South Carolina lawmakers have introduced legislation that would legalize and regulate sports wagering, but proposed bills have not established a functioning legal sportsbook market. For example, House Bill 3625, the proposed South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, was introduced during the 2025–2026 legislative session and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not currently operate a regulated online sports betting market.
In states where online sports betting is legal, licensed operators typically must comply with state regulations, verify a bettor’s identity and age, and use geolocation technology to confirm that wagers are placed within the permitted jurisdiction.
South Carolina has not completed the legal and regulatory process necessary to establish that type of statewide sportsbook system.
Is Retail Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?
Traditional retail sports betting is also not currently authorized through a statewide regulated market.
A retail sportsbook generally refers to a physical location where customers can place wagers on sporting events. South Carolina has not established commercial retail sportsbooks comparable to those operating in states with legalized sports wagering.
Why Isn’t Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?
South Carolina has historically maintained restrictive gambling laws. Legalizing sports betting would require changes to the state’s existing legal framework and, depending on the proposal, potentially constitutional changes.
Recent legislative proposals demonstrate that lawmakers have considered creating a regulated sports wagering system.
House Bill 3625 proposed the South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, including provisions for legal sports wagering, licensing, taxation, regulatory oversight, enforcement, and the creation of a South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission.
However, introducing a bill does not itself make sports betting legal.
What Happened to South Carolina Sports Betting Bills?
Several proposals have been introduced in the state legislature.
Senate Bill 444 was introduced on March 12, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry. The proposal would have established an interactive sports wagering framework and created a regulatory commission.
House Bill 3625 similarly proposed legalizing and regulating sports wagering under a new statutory framework. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
These legislative actions show that sports betting has been considered, but they should not be confused with enacted law.
Could South Carolina Change Its Gambling Laws?
Yes. South Carolina lawmakers can consider legislation that would change the state’s gambling framework.
One proposal, House Bill 3353, sought a constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to authorize certain forms of gambling, including sports betting on professional sports, in specified areas of the state. The measure was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Any future legalization would depend on the specific legislation adopted and any constitutional requirements that apply.
Can You Use DraftKings or FanDuel in South Carolina?
Traditional sportsbook wagering through major operators such as DraftKings or FanDuel is not currently available through a South Carolina sports betting license.
A sportsbook being available in another state does not mean it is authorized to accept wagers from customers physically located in South Carolina.
Consumers should distinguish between accessing a website and using a sportsbook that is legally licensed in the jurisdiction where the bettor is located.
What About Offshore Sportsbooks?
Offshore sportsbooks are different from state-regulated U.S. sportsbooks.
An offshore website may accept customers from South Carolina, but that does not establish that the operator is licensed or regulated by South Carolina authorities.
Anyone considering online wagering should verify the operator’s licensing status, applicable laws, age requirements, and available consumer protections before depositing money.
What About Daily Fantasy Sports?
Daily fantasy sports, or DFS, are different from traditional sports betting.
In a typical DFS contest, participants select athletes and compete based on their statistical performances. Sports betting involves wagering on a sporting event or specific outcome.
Because the activities are structured differently, their legal treatment can also differ. The availability of a fantasy sports service should not automatically be interpreted as authorization for traditional sports wagering.
What About Horse Racing?
Horse-racing wagering and sports betting can be governed by different legal frameworks.
A state may permit certain forms of pari-mutuel wagering without permitting traditional betting on professional or college sports. Therefore, the legality of one form of wagering does not automatically establish that another form is legal.
South Carolina residents should check the specific activity and applicable law rather than assuming all types of sports wagering are treated identically.
What Would Legal Sports Betting Look Like If South Carolina Approves It?
If lawmakers eventually authorize sports betting, the final system would depend on the legislation that becomes law.
A future framework could potentially include:
- Licensed sportsbook operators
- Online sports betting
- Retail betting locations
- Minimum-age requirements
- Identity verification
- Geolocation technology
- Responsible-gambling requirements
- Licensing fees
- Sports wagering taxes
- Advertising restrictions
- State regulatory oversight
House Bill 3625, for example, proposed licensing, taxation, enforcement, regulatory rules, and a dedicated Sports Wagering Commission.
What Should South Carolina Residents Check Before Betting?
Because gambling laws can change, anyone researching sports betting in South Carolina should verify the current legal position before placing a wager.
Important questions include:
- Is the sportsbook licensed in South Carolina?
- Has South Carolina actually authorized the specific type of sports wagering?
- Is the operator regulated by a state authority?
- What age and identity requirements apply?
- What consumer protections are available?
- Does the information you’re reading reflect the current legislative session?
Older articles can be misleading because South Carolina has repeatedly considered sports betting proposals.
FAQ
Is sports betting legal in South Carolina?
No. As of 2026, South Carolina does not have a regulated statewide commercial sports betting market.
Can you bet on sports online in South Carolina?
Traditional online sports betting is not currently authorized through a South Carolina-regulated sportsbook system.
Does South Carolina have legal sportsbooks?
South Carolina does not currently have licensed commercial sportsbooks operating under a statewide sports wagering framework.
Can you use DraftKings or FanDuel in South Carolina?
Traditional sportsbook wagering through these operators is not currently available under a South Carolina sports betting license.
Is South Carolina trying to legalize sports betting?
Yes. Multiple proposals have been introduced to create a regulated sports wagering system. House Bill 3625 and Senate Bill 444 are examples from the 2025–2026 legislative session.
Could sports betting become legal in South Carolina?
The state’s laws could change through future legislative or constitutional action. A proposal, however, does not become law simply because it has been introduced.
Are daily fantasy sports and sports betting the same?
No. Daily fantasy sports and traditional sports betting are different activities and may be subject to different legal rules.
Conclusion
As of 2026, sports betting is not legal in South Carolina through a regulated statewide sportsbook market. Residents do not currently have access to licensed online or retail sportsbooks for traditional sports wagering.
South Carolina lawmakers have continued to consider proposals that would establish a regulated sports betting system. Recent bills have included provisions covering licensing, taxation, regulation, enforcement, and sports wagering oversight, but proposed legislation should not be treated as current law.
Anyone researching sports betting in South Carolina should check current state legislative and regulatory information before participating, particularly because the legal framework could change through future legislation.
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