Guide to Casino Options in SC and NC
Citizens and visitors of the state of South Carolina who want a casino experience might feel confused when trying to find a nearby casino. The bottom line of the state gambling scenario in 2025 is that there are no traditional, land-based casinos in the state because there has been a long-standing ban on land-based gambling in the state. Here we provide a comprehensive and concise Guide to Casino Options for South Carolina and opportunities in the adjacent state of North Carolina.
The Legal Landscape of Gambling in South Carolina
South Carolina has a strong legal opposition to the majority of the forms of commercial gambling, which are deeply embedded in the legal and constitutional history of the state. In Article XVII, there is a constitutional provision that does not allow gambling and betting on games of chance. The presence of a land-based traditional casino in South Carolina is impossible without a constitutional amendment.
Although there was a big legislative push in 2025 (including a bill, the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act), these bills were unsuccessful in making it past the law books. Although the political situation is likely to change, at the moment, the ban is still there.
The only obvious exception to this rule is the so-called cruises to nowhere, which operate by cruising into international waters where the law against gambling does not exist at the state or federal level. It is this legal loophole that has enabled one special place to have a feel of the casino despite its being at a distance away from the South Carolina coast.
The Only In-State Option: The Big M Casino
A visitor in South Carolina can only acquire a live casino atmosphere at the Big M Casino. It is a casino cruise ship located at Little River, just a few minutes’ drive from Myrtle Beach. By mid-2025, just one of the two ships will be in operation, and, as such, an advanced booking of reservations is highly encouraged.
Onboard Experience and Amenities
The Big M Casino cruise is really a recreational excursion rather than a large resort casino. The gaming experience is a combination of conventional and digital games, among which a great number of slots and video poker machines are offered. Passengers can play Roulette, Blackjack, Let it Ride, and 3 card Poker on table games. It is necessary to mention that all games are cash games.
Outside the casino floor, there is a cash bar and some casual restaurants with light meals such as subs, wraps, pizza, and hot dogs. The cruise only takes five hours, with gambling being allowed once the vessel is beyond international waters.
What Travelers Are Saying
There are generally positive customer reviews of the Big M Casino, with expectations managed. Most of the visitors like the fact of gambling on high seas and speak highly of the welcoming employees. Among the most often made complaints is that the casino floor itself is not very big, has old slot machines, and an overcrowding with table games. The ubiquity of the smell of tobacco smoke, even though smoking is restricted to outside decks, is also a common complaint. Ultimately, the Big M Casino can be seen as a novelty that has to be enjoyed as a one-of-a-kind curiosity, but cannot be taken seriously as a main gambling attraction.
The Best Land-Based Alternatives in North Carolina
Since the South Carolina casinos aren’t convenient, North Carolina casinos offer the best and widest range of casino possibilities. The range of offerings in these facilities is much broader, both in terms of the size of the games and in terms of resort services.
The Closest Land-Based Casino: Catawba Two Kings Casino
Situated in the city of Kings Mountain, North Carolina (only 35 miles west of Charlotte and close to the South Carolina border), the Catawba Two Kings Casino is the most convenient land-based option for many travelers. The year 2025 sees the venue at a phase of transition, when it is operating at a temporary site as a huge permanent resort is being developed.
Gaming and Amenities
Although it is a temporary setup, the casino offers a valid form of gaming. It has 1,000 slot machines, electronic table games, and a retail sportsbook. A substantial contribution in the recent past is the increase in the number of live table games to 12, which include blackjack, craps, and roulette. The temporary facility has very few amenities, such as one restaurant and one bar.
The Customer Experience and Future Outlook
Catawba Two Kings has received polar reviews because it is in transition. Others are shocked by the plain, simple exterior and the absence of traditional dealers in card games. However, the majority of positive reviews are dedicated to the cordial and caring staff, its sanitary conditions, and 24-hour character. Common in the guest reviews is the expectation of the permanent structure, which is due to open in 2027. This casino is an excellent fit for people who prefer a fast and local land-based casino experience near South Carolina.
The Ultimate Destination: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
To the individuals who want the entire casino resort experience with all the trimmings, the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina, will be their utmost recommendation. This flagship resort is under a 3.5-hour drive away from Columbia, SC, and with such a scale of luxury, it cannot be rivaled in any part of the region.
A Comprehensive Resort Experience
The casino area is 150,000 square feet and has a wide variety of games, such as various slots, video poker, poker, craps, blackjack, and roulette. It has its attractiveness to a much wider demographic group than the true gamer, since it also features a hotel, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness facility, and an arcade. Its culinary choices are also bountiful, as it has 10 different restaurants, a theater, and other platforms of entertainment to enjoy various means of entertainment.
Travel Considerations
The main strength of Harrah’s Cherokee is also the primary logistical problem it presents, which is its size. Visitors usually complain about the distant parking garage and the distance to the casino area. Despite this minor inconvenience, reviews are all commending of the clean rooms, professional staff, and the convenience of all amenities present all in one place.
The Smoke-Free Alternative: Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel
Located in Murphy, North Carolina, the Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel is a smaller version but is just as rich in land-based casino entertainment as well. It has a gaming floor area of 75,000+ square feet, offering a strong choice of 1,300 slots as well as over 60 live table games. A hotel and five food restaurants also form a part of the property.
Unique Selling Points
The main distinctive feature of this casino is that there is no smoking. This is among the biggest attractions to tourists who are allergic to tobacco smoke or prefer a more hygienic environment. Customer reviews praise the comfort of rooms, professional staff, and good dining experiences. The convenient size of the venue makes it an attractive alternative to the gamblers who value a clean, comfortable, and non-complicated online gambling process with no huge flows of people.
