(A) A lottery or raffle of any type whatsoever is unlawful unless it is authorized by the following:

(1) Chapter 150, Title 59, the Education Lottery;

(2) Article 24, Chapter 21, Title 12, Charitable Bingo; or

(3) Chapter 57, Title 33, Nonprofit Raffles for Charitable Purposes.

(B) It is the intent of the General Assembly that only qualified tax-exempt entities, which are organized and operated for charitable purposes and which dedicate raffle proceeds to charitable purposes, shall operate and conduct raffles as authorized by this chapter.

(C)(1) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to allow electronic gambling devices or machines of any types, slot machines, video poker or similar electronic play devices, or to change or alter in any manner the prohibitions regarding video poker or similar electronic play devices in Chapter 21, Title 12 and Chapter 19, Title 16.

(2) No person shall conduct a fundraising event commonly known and operated as a "casino night", "Las Vegas night", or "Monte Carlo night" involving live individuals playing roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, or other card games, or dice games, unless the event is conducted only for entertainment purposes and no prizes, financial rewards, or incentives are received by players.

(3) No events with an electronic device or machine, slot machines, electronic video gaming devices, wagering on live sporting events, or simulcast broadcasts of horse races are authorized.

(D) Except for raffles conducted by the South Carolina Lottery Commission pursuant to Chapter 150, Title 59 or Charitable Bingo authorized by Article 24, Chapter 21, Title 12, the provisions of this chapter provide the sole means by which activities associated with conducting raffles are authorized. The provisions of this chapter must be narrowly construed to ensure that tax-exempt entities conducting a nonprofit raffle pursuant to this chapter are in strict compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

HISTORY: 2013 Act No. 11, Section 1, eff April 4, 2015.

Editor's Note

2013 Act No. 11 Section 5, provides as follows:

"SECTION 5. The provisions of this act become effective thirty days after ratification of an amendment to Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State allowing its terms as proposed to the qualified electors of this State at the 2014 General Election."

2015 Act No. 3, Section 1, eff March 5, 2015, provides in part as follows:

"SECTION 1. The amendment to Article XVII of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, prepared under the terms of Joint Resolution 102 of 2013, having been submitted to the qualified electors at the General Election of 2014 as prescribed in Section 1, Article XVI of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, and a favorable vote having been received on the amendment, is ratified and declared to be a part of the Constitution so that Section 7 of Article XVII is amended to read: [text of amendment follows]."