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The Clemson Tigers are back in the College Football Playoff — a return that felt like ages. The Tigers used a walk-off 56-yard field goal to topple SMU in the ACC Championship game and secure an automatic CFP spot in the process. Without the win, they would’ve just barely missed the 12-team cut-off.
This is the first year the CFP will feature 12 teams and not 4. That means way more games, and yes, way more betting opportunities than ever before. Too bad South Carolina bettors who live and breathe Clemson will be shielded out from betting.
South Carolina betting is still nonexistent. After Missouri betting was legalized, that now leaves 11 states without a legal sports betting market. So what’s to make if you’re in South Carolina and with an itch to bet? You’re not completely out of luck as we’re about to explain.
Offshore Betting Market Shines In South Carolina
Here’s what we recommend to interested Clemson bettors living inside the state: hit the offshore sportsbook market. It’s the best way to get action on the Tigers — or any other sports for that matter. By best, we mean the most convenient and top-playing experience.
We know what you’re probably thinking, “but isn’t offshore betting illegal?” Well, it’s not 100 percent legal, but it’s not something that’s really enforced either way. This is a classic case of “bigger fish to fry” for South Carolina officials. That means in-state residents can get, more or less, worry-free throughout the state.
You see, offshore sites get to skirt around the rules of South Carolina, states, and any country. They do so by being based out of countries where betting is fully legal — typically the Caribbean or Central America (Costa Rica is a popular one). This allows them to serve bettors from anywhere and everywhere.
Offshore betting sites thrive in states where betting remains unregulated. That includes the likes of South Carolina, California, and Texas. Heck, it’s even popular in states where betting is legal, just heavily limited (Florida comes to mind). South Carolina, in particular, is a state full of diehard sports fans, many of which trickle into bettors. They want action on not just the Tigers, but also the Gamecocks and offshore bookies provide it.
Need a recommendation before Clemson’s CFP matchup? Here, we recommend one of these five offshore bookies. Any one of them will get the job done before kickoff:
Nearby States Picking Up The Slack
Initially, southern states seemed most hesitant to legalize sports betting. However, many have come around to it, including states that neighbor South Carolina. This has driven bettors living near the state border to cross state lines and bet freely. Here’s where to consider if you’re within driving distance of these bettors-friendly states.
North Carolina: Ah, yes, the state with a shared name went live with sports betting early 2024. It’s been a resounding success since then, over-exceeding initial expectations in all figures. The state allows mobile betting so as soon as a bettor is inside state lines, they’re free to use a betting app. These is a good option if you’re located in the northern part of South Carolina.
Tennessee: Neighboring Tennessee bucked the trend in the south and embraced legal wagering early, passing a bill for it in 2019. The state only has mobile betting — no physical casinos. So the same deal here, drive anywhere inside the state and apps instantly work.
Many South Carolina bettors think they can sneak in a bet by just being close to the border, however, it doesn’t work like that. Commercial operators have top-of-the-line technology to pin a user’s location. Anyone who tries to bet while still in South Carolina will get blocked — even if using a VPN. The tech is that damn good so to really need to drive to these locations to get action on Clemson.
New Push To Legalize Expected In 2025
The new legislation session will begin soon in South Carolina. This will mark the next time that sports betting can be discussed or drafted into a bill. Welp, one member in the House has already stuck his neck out for it: Republican Chris Murphy.
Just a few months ago, Murphy mentioned he’ll be leading a new piece of legislation with legalized betting at the forefront. Why, you ask? He sees the dollar signs of a fully-legal market, of course.
“It’s one of those bills that is a revenue generator for the state, a very significant source of revenue,” says Murphy.
Hoq much money does the state stand to gain from legalizing wagering? Well, we have some guesstimates. The natural thing would be to compare it to North Carolina, but the issue is, that the northern neighbors have about double the population of South Carolina.
To us, a more worthy comparison is Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky — a state with almost a million fewer residents than South Carolina. In Kentucky, legal betting is about a $36 million per year business. That’s tax money the state gets to keep. South Carolina, with its larger population and sports culture, could easily clear $40 million a year and get close to $50 million.
We’ll see what happens in 2025. But our point remains: those wanting to bet Clemson right now have alternative options. No need to wait for lawmakers to get their act together.
Best Betting Sites 