South Carolina Casino Advantage Play Guide
South Carolina has no commercial casinos and banned video poker machines in 1999. With 5 million residents and no in-state gaming, SC players must travel to North Carolina, Georgia, or longer destinations for casino advantage play. This guide covers the best routes and loyalty programs for South Carolina-based AP players.
South Carolina Gaming Overview
South Carolina is one of the more restrictive gambling states in the US. Video poker — once widely available in convenience stores and restaurants — was banned by state law in 1999. The state now has only a state lottery, limited charitable gaming, and no path to in-state casino gaming.
The nearest casino market is in western North Carolina (Harrah's Cherokee) for Upstate SC players, and the Catawba Two Kings Casino near Kings Mountain, NC for the Charlotte metro and northern SC. Coastal SC players (Charleston, Myrtle Beach) face significantly longer drives to any casino destination.
Best Options by Region
Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg)
Upstate SC players are the closest in the state to casino access, with western North Carolina within a 2-3 hour drive.
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee, NC) — approximately 2-2.5 hours northwest. Caesars Rewards property. 3,200+ machines. The primary AP destination for Upstate SC players.
- Harrah's Cherokee Valley River (Murphy, NC) — approximately 2.5 hours northwest. Smaller (~1,000 machines), same Caesars Rewards program. Good second stop on a Cherokee circuit.
- Catawba Two Kings Casino (Kings Mountain, NC) — approximately 1.5 hours north. Catawba Indian Nation property currently in temporary facility. Independent loyalty program. Closest casino to the Greenville/Spartanburg market.
Upstate SC AP Note: Harrah's Cherokee is the top AP destination for this region. As one of the highest-volume tribal casinos in the Southeast, the 3,200+ machine floor sees heavy recreational play — must-hit-by meters frequently climb to elevated levels. Plan an early-morning arrival (before 9 AM) to catch meters after overnight coin-in accumulation.
Midlands (Columbia)
Columbia sits roughly 2-3 hours from the North Carolina mountain properties and has somewhat limited nearby options compared to Upstate SC.
- Catawba Two Kings Casino (Kings Mountain, NC) — approximately 1.5-2 hours north. The closest casino option for the Columbia area.
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee, NC) — approximately 3 hours northwest via I-26 and I-40. Best for overnight trip planning.
Lowcountry and Coast (Charleston, Myrtle Beach)
Coastal SC players face the longest drives in the state to reach casino gaming. The closest casino destinations are 4-5 hours away.
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee, NC) — approximately 4-5 hours from Charleston. Best for overnight or weekend trips. Caesars Rewards.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast cluster (Biloxi/Gulfport, MS) — approximately 8-9 hours west. Far, but a multi-property AP circuit with Caesars, MGM, and Penn programs all represented.
- Atlantic City — approximately 10-11 hours north. Useful for players building Caesars or MGM tier, but requires a dedicated travel trip.
Loyalty Program Strategy for SC Players
Given the long drives required for SC casino players, concentrating coin-in on national programs that unlock resort benefits is especially important. Every trip should earn on a program with national value:
- Caesars Rewards: Harrah's Cherokee (Cherokee, NC) and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River (Murphy, NC) — the most accessible national program for Upstate SC and Midlands players
- MGM Rewards: No close properties for SC; Gold Strike (Tunica, MS) is the closest at ~8 hours. Best earned on Las Vegas trips.
- Penn mychoice: No close properties for most SC players. Nearest options are in the Atlanta area (Georgia) or further north.
Must-Hit-By Slots Near South Carolina
Harrah's Cherokee and Catawba Two Kings both run standard Class III slot floors with must-hit-by progressives from Aristocrat, Konami, IGT, and Light & Wonder. The same AP methodology applies regardless of which destination you choose:
- Walk the entire floor first — never sit down before scouting
- Use the MHB Calculator to verify every play before committing
- Reference the machine guides for documented ceiling values and trigger thresholds
- Given the long drive, plan to spend a full day — maximizing floor time makes the trip economically worthwhile
Access all 200+ machine guides covering must-hit-by trigger values for machines at Harrah's Cherokee, Catawba Two Kings, and the other destinations closest to South Carolina players.
View Membership OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Are there casinos in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not have commercial casinos or tribal gaming facilities with electronic gaming machines. The state prohibited most forms of gambling following a 1999 court ruling that banned video poker machines. South Carolina does have a state lottery and limited charitable gaming. SC players seeking casino advantage play must travel to neighboring North Carolina (Harrah's Cherokee, Kings Mountain), Georgia, or further destinations.
What is the closest casino to Columbia, South Carolina?
The closest casinos to Columbia, SC are in North Carolina. Harrah's Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, NC is approximately 2.5 hours northwest. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC is approximately 3 hours northwest. Both are Caesars Rewards properties. Kings Mountain Catawba Two Kings Casino (a newer Catawba Indian Nation property near Kings Mountain, NC) may be the closest option at roughly 1.5-2 hours north, depending on your location in Columbia.
What is the closest casino to Charleston, South Carolina?
Charleston, SC players have limited nearby casino options. The closest traditional casino destinations are in North Carolina, roughly 3-4 hours away. For shorter drives, some SC players travel to the Augusta, Georgia area or to North Carolina mountain properties. The Mississippi Gulf Coast and Atlantic City are both longer trips but offer multi-property AP circuits worth planning for extended casino road trips.
What is the closest casino to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach has no local casino options. The closest major casino destinations are the North Carolina mountain properties (Harrah's Cherokee, approximately 5 hours west) or Atlantic City (approximately 10 hours north). Some Myrtle Beach visitors explore day-trip cruise ships that offered limited gaming, though regulations on these have changed. For serious AP, Harrah's Cherokee is the primary destination for Myrtle Beach-area players willing to make the drive.
What is the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, NC?
Catawba Two Kings Casino is a tribal casino operated by the Catawba Indian Nation in Kings Mountain, North Carolina — just across the South Carolina border. It is currently operating in a temporary facility while a permanent resort is developed. Kings Mountain is approximately 30-40 miles north of the SC border near York County, making it the closest casino option for Charlotte-area and Upstate South Carolina players. The Catawba Nation runs its own independent loyalty program.
Is there video poker in South Carolina?
South Carolina banned video poker machines via state law in 1999. Prior to the ban, SC had an extensive video poker presence in convenience stores and businesses. That era ended with the enforcement of the ban. Today, South Carolina has no legal video poker, slot machines, or electronic gaming devices outside of the state lottery's draw games and scratch tickets. All casino gaming for SC players requires out-of-state travel.
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