Gambling Age In South Carolina

Minimum Age: 19

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In South Carolina, the minimum legal age is 19 for the state lottery, as set by the South Carolina Education Lottery and South Carolina Code § 59-150-10. No age is specified for other gambling due to comprehensive bans, reflecting a conservative stance.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is limited to a state lottery (legal since 2002) and charitable bingo, generating a $200 million market. No casinos, sports betting, or pari-mutuel betting exist, offering no slot catalogs compared to your 3,250+ interest. Casino cruises are legal since 2008 but operate offshore. Cultural acceptance is low, driven by a $250 billion economy and conservative values. No sports betting bills progressed in 2024.

Online Gambling: Online gambling, including casinos, poker, and sports betting, is illegal under South Carolina Code § 16-19-40. A $100 million unregulated offshore market exists in 2024, driven by 80% smartphone penetration. Players face no prosecutions, and no website blocking is enforced. No online gambling bills were proposed in 2024, and 2025 legalization is unlikely due to conservative opposition.

Regulation and Oversight: The South Carolina Education Lottery regulates lotteries, with no other gambling oversight. No casino or online gambling framework exists, unlike Kahnawake’s standards. South Carolina’s $250 million gambling economy is small, with no 2024 updates. 2025 will focus on lottery oversight, not expansion.

Enforcement and Penalties: South Carolina enforces its ban strictly, with fines up to $1,000 or six months imprisonment for operators. Players face no penalties for offshore use. Rural enforcement is strong due to conservative policing. The $100 million unregulated market is projected to grow 4% in 2025, driven by mobile access, but legalization faces political barriers.