South Carolina § 16-19-130 - Betting, pool selling, bookmaking and the like prohibited.

Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 16-19-130 — Betting, pool selling, bookmaking and the like prohibited., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 16-19-130. Betting, pool selling, bookmaking and the like prohibited.

Any person within this State who:

(1) Engages in betting at any race track, pool selling or bookmaking, with or without writing, at any time or place;

(2) Keeps or occupies any room, shed, tenement, booth, building, float or vessel, or any part thereof, or occupies any place or stand of any kind upon any public or private grounds within this State with books, papers, apparatus or paraphernalia for the purpose of recording or registering bets or wagers or of selling pools;

(3) Records or registers bets or wagers or sells pools or makes books, with or without writing, upon the result of any (a) trial or contest of skill, speed or power of endurance of man or beast, (b) political nomination, appointment or election or (c) lot, chance, casualty, unknown or contingent event whatsoever;

(4) Receives, registers, records or forwards or purports or pretends to receive, register, record or forward, in any manner whatsoever, any money, thing or consideration of value bet or wagered or offered for the purpose of being bet or wagered by or for any other person or sells pools upon any such result;

(5) Being the owner, lessee or occupant of any room, shed, tenement, tent, booth, building, float or vessel, or part thereof, or of any grounds within this State knowingly permits the same to be used or occupied for any of these purposes or therein keeps, exhibits or employs any device or apparatus for the purpose of recording or registering such bets or wagers or the selling of such pools or becomes the custodian or depository for gain, hire or reward of any money, property or thing of value staked, wagered or pledged or to be wagered or pledged upon any such result; or

(6) Aids, assists or abets in any manner in any of the aforesaid acts, which are hereby forbidden;

Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 16-515; 1952 Code SECTION 16-515; 1942 Code SECTION 1749; 1932 Code SECTION 1749; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 730; 1912 (27) 713.

Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 16-19-130

What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 16-19-130 cover?

Section 16-19-130 ("Betting, pool selling, bookmaking and the like prohibited.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite South Carolina § 16-19-130?

A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 16-19-130" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of South Carolina law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.

How does South Carolina § 16-19-130 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.