With online gambling laws changing across the US states, social attitudes towards casinos have changed for the better. More people have embraced the convenience and variety of online casinos. Moreover, in states where residents can play slots for real money, their efforts have been quite lucrative. In a bid to keep up with the changing times, Charleston residents have also embarked on online gaming, but with a twist. We look at how they have delved into this world and what makes their gambling environment a tad different from other states.
The Legality of Online Gambling in Charleston
It’s no secret that many lawmakers have changed their stances when it comes to online gambling. Over time, many lawmakers have realized that legalizing online gambling (both sports betting and casinos) actually does more good than harm for society and the economy.
However, in Charleston, which is in South Caroline, lawmakers are yet to give the green light to would-be casino operators. As things stand, casino games are illegal, as are sportsbooks. Even so, the lawmakers have allowed residents to enjoy two options:
- Social casinos: These platforms offer the same games as the typical real-money casinos. However, players do not wager real money on the games, nor are they able to cash out real money. Instead, they deal with virtual money, which has no value in the real world. Given the lack of actual money, South Carolina classifies these casinos as legal and allows its residents to enjoy them. So, they get all the perks of casino games without earning from their wins.
- Sweepstakes casinos: While social casinos do not allow players to get any monetary returns from their wagers, sweepstakes platforms offer a unique alternative. In this case, the players still use virtual money to place the wagers. But they have the option to redeem their wins for money or prizes, depending on what the site offers. Since players do not give money in return to play the games, these platforms are considered to be legal.
As such, while residents of Charleston may not have access to the real-money games that are making waves across the country, they have numerous opportunities to enjoy casino games and benefit from them financially.
The Increased Demand for Online Gambling
Ever since South Carolina legalized social and sweepstakes casinos, the residents of Charleston have been signing up on these platforms in huge numbers. So, what’s the allure?
- They get a taste of casino games. For many years, residents had no way to enjoy casino games due to the strict gambling laws in the state. Those who wanted to enjoy such games had to go on cruises, travel to other states, or access offshore sites, which were often unregulated. But now, they can have their cake and eat it without resorting to such inconvenient measures.
- They get to win prizes and all sorts of rewards. While players may not always have the chance to earn money from the games, they get access to other rewards. These include gift cards and merchandise, which they get for free as they have not spent actual money on the wagers. What’s more, they also qualify for seasonal promotions, which allow them to have more virtual money to use in the games. Such rewards are quite motivating to players.
- They get to be part of a community. In between the games, players get to interact with others through live chats, community boards, leaderboards, and other social features that enable them to feel like they are part of a thriving community.
Most of all, the games allow players to understand the ins and outs of the casino world. After all, while players may not have money on the line, they still have to employ the same strategies that work in real-money games. These include prudent money management, as the virtual currencies can run out, emotional management to ensure that decisions are objective, and taking breaks to avoid burning out. With such a foundation, it will be quite easy for players to transition to real-money games as soon as South Carolina lawmakers legalize online gambling.