Poker has been a mainstay in American popular culture since the steamboats hosted games between millionaires, prospectors, bandits, and outlaws. Now the World Series of Poker is viewable on network television, and the game is more popular than ever. South Carolina card fans are probably wondering if there are any viable legal South Carolina online poker rooms out there. This article will explain the laws that surround online poker in South Carolina, as well as point you in the direction of some of the best current poker sites in the world.
During the technology boom of the early 2000’s, online poker became a booming market. Independent poker sites were popping up all over the US, and many of these were illegal operations tied to organized crime and racketeering. With illegal transactions getting out of control, the government decided to step in and regulate the game. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 successfully banned poker sites from functioning in most of America. This isn’t as bad as it sounds though; it just means that you won’t find legal online poker rooms that accept South Carolina residnets operating on your street. There are numerous poker sites functioning overseas, in places where running an online poker room is perfectly legal. These sites are safe to use, and millions of Americans are doing so every day. Therefore, while the UIGEA band online poker rooms from operating in the US, there are plenty of safe options stationed outside of the nation.
When searching for legal poker sites for South Carolina players, there are many things to look for. Exploring the various poker forums spread across the web can be good to get an idea on which sites are popular. Many of these forums are filled with obnoxious trolls that do nothing but talk trash. Using legit sources such as Poker magazines can be infinitely more helpful. Official publications often mention online poker sites and give reviews that reflect what the site is all about. We have done much of this work for you, and will present the sites that we consider to be ahead of the competition right now.
USA Today and FOX Sports tout BetOnline as the best poker site in the business right now. Offering everything from Texas Hold’em to Omaha hi/lo, you will find what you are looking for here. There is mobile betting, daily freeroll tourneys, extremely profitable tournaments, and much more at BetOnline. They also offer more deposit/payout options than the competition. This site uses the best encryption software in the world to ensure members safety, and has a cult following in the poker world.
Joining BetOnline now will grant you access to a handsome Welcome Bonus worth up to 200% of your first deposit. Just send in the promo code that is on the promotions page along with your deposit, and you could stand gain up to $1,000 in bonus cash. This is a great boost to your bankroll, and allows you to explore the site without putting a hole in your wallet.
Ask any computer-literate poker players about their favorite online rooms, and SportsBetting will undoubtedly come up. This site has been serving up excellent poker action for over two decades, and is gaining new members every day. SportsBetting offers top-of-the-line security software and encryption technology to ensure that your information is safe. SportsBetting is the best poker site in the business right now, and South Carolina residents are sure to find a populated table at any hour.
If you have ever dreamed of competing in the WSOP, SportsBetting offers free satellite tournaments that will send winners the Vegas for the big game. The prize package includes a $1,500 buy-in for the tournament, and another $1,500 for travel and expenses. Deals like these are rare, and are just another reason SportsBetting is leading the pack.
South Carolina residents will not find a legal land based poker room in the state. This is the case for most states in the nation, but that doesn’t mean there are no options. There is a cruise ship at Myrtle Beach that offers low-stakes poker, but the cruise is somewhat expensive, and is not productive for daily players. The legal online poker rooms for South Carolina players we review accept members from all over America, and are great places to play. They offer unbeatable deals and well-populated tables every day. Whether you are a dabbler, or a professional card shark, these sites will give you worthy competition equal to your skill level. There has never been a better time to get in on the online poker revolution.
South Carolina requires that residents be at least 21 years old in order to gamble in general, but most of the online poker sites only require you to be 18. We suggest following the state law, as the repercussions for underage poker can be quite serious. The best advice for South Carolina resident that is currently under 21 years old is to merely wait out the few years...you will definitely get your chance to play online poker with the big dogs when it's your turn.
While legal South Carolina gambling does not allow residents to find any land-based poker rooms (except for the Myrtle Beach Cruise line), there are many online options. These sites offer unbeatable tables, tournaments, and bonuses. Most land-based poker rooms do not have the funding or staff to offer the unique options these sites do. We suggest checking out all of the sites we review to see which one is the right fit for you. They each offer distinctive playing experience and promotions, and at least one is sure to spark your poker flame.