
Source: Piqsels
South Carolina’s approach to casino gaming is one of the most restrictive in the entire United States of America. There are no brick-and-mortar casinos – including tribal casino operators – and there’s a distinct lack of live poker rooms. Sports betting is also prohibited.
In fact, the only gambling pursuits allowed in South Carolina right now are the casino cruises which launch from cities across the state, and the State Lottery. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) has also been deemed a fully legal pursuit too. It's difficult for citizens in SC to imagine what an online casino industry would look and feel like.
What is the current iGaming landscape?
The nearby state of West Virginia is just a four-hour drive from the state capital of Columbia, which has licensed iGaming provided by five authorized operators. Portals like Honey Monkey Pineapple have played key roles in educating U.S. citizens about the merits of safe and regulated iGaming. They inform users of the most reputable and competitive sites to visit, while providing hints and tips on casino gameplay themselves. As yet, such platforms have given South Carolina a wide berth for obvious reasons.
South Carolina has some of the toughest laws on gambling in the U.S., with only Utah seemingly stricter than the Palmetto State. With minimal revenue streams accessible to the State Government at present, states like South Carolina need to start seriously considering whether tax revenues from a legalized and regulated gambling market could be more beneficial to its citizens than outlawing it altogether.

Source: Piqsels
What is the ideal tax rate for iGaming according to the NCLGS?
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), the organization of lawmakers from states which currently legalize and regulate gambling in the U.S., has recently issued what it believes to be the model framework for legalizing online gambling.
Its 26-page dossier was recently published, attempting to encourage those states still sitting on the fence to consider embracing iGaming. The NCLGS states that while each state should have the freedom to set their own tax rates, the ideal tax rate on iGaming revenues sits between 15%-25%, allowing for optimal revenues and enabling markets to stay competitive with other stateside jurisdictions.
There have been murmurings that the deep red southern state has started to have low-level discussions about the prospect of legalizing sports betting. Stephen Shapiro of the University of South Carolina Department of Sport and Entertainment Management spoke with Statehouse Report last summer about the prospect of sports betting bills emerging in the next 12-18 months. iGaming would surely soon follow if the success of a regulated sports betting market can be proven.
What is South Carolina’s biggest stumbling block?
Throughout the legislative session of 2024, a wagering bill from 2023 remained untouched, with no serious push for any kind of legalization. One of the main reasons being the view of Governor Henry McMaster. Governor McMaster is heavily opposed to the industry and has been at the helm since 2017. His position remains unchanged and his role is safe until 2026 when he’s up for re-election.
The NCLGS will hope that its framework will provide the necessary building blocks if and when the Palmetto State decides to play catch up.