While it’s not Las Vegas or Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach has no shortage of , especially with the recent addition of Oceans Casino + Hotel (formerly The Big M Casino).
Best Golden Nugget Slots You Need to Play Online in 2023There are currently five land-based casinos in Myrtle Beach as well as several nearby Native American casinos. And with talks of more casinos coming soon, the Grand Strand could very well be on its way to becoming the East Coast’s answer to Sin City.
In this guide, I’ll break down all the Myrtle Beach casinos so you can plan your visit accordingly. I’ll also touch on South Carolina’s gambling landscape and the casinos near Myrtle Beach that reside within Indian gaming facilities.
Best Casinos in Myrtle Beach
If you’re looking for a true “casino resort” experience in Myrtle Beach, that used to be a hard no. However, the Grand Opening of Oceans Casino + Hotel in early 2021 changed that forever.
Myrtle Beach casinos – at least the traditional kind – are still small time but things are trending up. And if we ever do get a monorail to connect all the GB casinos, I’ll know it’s my birthday.
Oceans Casino + Hotel
- Slot Machines: 500+
- Table Games: 16
- Poker Room: No
- Hotel: 10-Story, 100+ Rooms
- Restaurants: Three (including a rooftop bar & grill)
- Location: Directly on the boardwalk at 71st Ave and North Ocean Blvd.
If you went to Myrtle Beach as a kid in the 90s like I did, the Veryl’s 5&10 Cent Store was a mandatory stop on your family vacation. Well, that building has been reincarnated as the area’s first real casino and they’ve called it Oceans Casino + Hotel.
Like the old general store, the new casino bears a striking similarity to its surroundings. Sure, it’s 10x the size of Veryl’s but Oceans Casino doesn’t exactly tower over the skyline like the Stratosphere in Las Vegas.
That will likely change as the market grows because there are already rumors of taller, flashier casinos planned for Myrtle Beach. But for now, Oceans Casino is the star of the show and it brings a lot to the table (pun intended).
2023's Best Online Casino in Missouri - Missourigaming.comFor one, it’s a real casino with slot machines and table games. Yes, other businesses in Myrtle Beach have offered gamble bars with electronic roulette and craps tables but those were outlawed right before Oceans Casino was set to open, too.
Anyway, Oceans Casino + Hotel features 500+ slot machines, 16 table games, and dozens of poker tables that host tournaments on the reg. It’s not Caesars Palace but it’s a start and locals/visitors are loving it.
The best part? It’s located right on the beach at 71st Avenue and North Ocean Boulevard. You can hear the waves crashing from inside the casino and the woodgrain flooring and decor give if it were on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
Another nice touch? The attached hotel boasts phenomenal views of the ocean and downtown Myrtle Beach. All 100+ rooms face the water or the cityscape so you can wake up every morning to a spectacular view.
On top of the gambling and lodging options, Oceans Casino + Hotel has three restaurants/bars. That includes a rooftop lounge/eatery that opens later in the day (think: Bally’s Blaze Lounge in Vegas).
All told, Oceans Casino + Hotel is the best casino in Myrtle Beach right now and it isn’t even close.
online casinos spellenDarling’s Fantasy 5’s
- Slot Machines: 48 Electronic Gambling Machines
- Table Games: 0
- Poker Room: 0
- Food/Drink: Full Service Bar, Snacks
- Location: 2801 N Oak St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Darling’s Fantasy 5’s is technically the second casino in Myrtle Beach but, realistically, it doesn’t compare to Oceans Casino + Hotel. Still, it is a legit GB gambling establishment and it draws a large crowd.
Why? Because it used to be a laughable “gamers lounge” with a few arcade games and fake casino tables. Those were outlawed ahead of schedule and Darling’s remodeled/expanded to add 48 electronic gambling machines.
Each EGM looks just like a slot machine but they only run Fantasy 5 simulations. In other words, you put money in and it runs mock drawings of the South Carolina Lottery’s Fantasy 5 game. If the combination on your screen matches one from the real drawing, you win the same prize as if you bought a lottery ticket.
Free Casino Apps with Real Slots for Android and iPhoneIs that weird? Yeah, kinda. Is it against the law? Sorta.
According to South Carolina law, people cannot collectively gamble under one roof. Individuals are free to gamble however they wish but establishments cannot host organized gambling events/machines. Thus, Darling’s worked around the rules by having each customer buy lots of individual tickets for the chance to win prizes.
Of course, this loophole was eventually shuttered and Darling’s responded by adding actual slot machines. Now you can play Fantasy 5 simulations as well as traditional Vegas slots without having to buy hundreds of tickets.
Darling’s still isn’t a real casino but it’s closer than it was.
Bullwinkle’s Whacky World
- Slot Machines: 160+
- Table Games: 0
- Poker Room: 0
- Food/Drink: Full Service Bar, Restaurant
- Location: 10123 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Bullwinkle’s Whacky World is a giant family fun center with laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, arcade games, and more. Oh, and around 150 slot machines.
Yep, you can spend the afternoon banging into other drivers on the Bullwinkle’s go-kart track and, if lady luck is smiling down upon you, grab your helmet and head to the casino section for some extra thrills.
Honestly, Bullwinkle’s is the best Myrtle Beach gambling experience outside of Oceans Casino + Hotel. The atmosphere is fantastic and it’s super convenient to hit the slots while the wife takes the kids mini golfing.
I’d recommend Bullwinkle’s wholeheartedly except for one thing: The gambling laws in South Carolina are in flux.
As I mentioned earlier, the state prohibits public gambling. Establishments can technically have one customer play one gambling game but that setup is illegal. Therefore, places like Bullwinkle’s require you to purchase a playcard for cash and then use that card in the machines. You accrue winnings on the card and can redeem them for cash on the way out.
of the Best Gambling Movies of All Time - MGM SpringfieldWell, the South Carolina Game Act was amended in late 2019 to outlaw this workaround. The new laws were supposed to take effect in July 2020 but all the casino bars in Myrtle Beach expanded their operations during the dead period.
Is anyone enforcing the law? I’m not sure. I can tell you that Bullwinkle’s Whacky World is still going strong but the future of MB casino bars – Bullwinkle’s included – is cloudy.
Other Myrtle Beach Gambling Spots
So, what are the best casinos to visit in Myrtle Beach? At this point, I feel comfortable saying Oceans Casino + Hotel. As for the rest, it’s a mixed bag.
888poker Review - Sites and Bonuses for UK Players in 2023Here’s a quick look at a few more business that offer gambling in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- Broadway Louie’s – There are two Broadway Louie’s locations in Myrtle Beach and both feature gambling bars. The setup is the same as other casino bars in the area. Pay cash at the door, exchange it for play cards, and use those cards in the electronic table games and slot machines. Repeat as necessary.
- Wild Wing Cafe – Yep, even the restaurant chain with a location in Brandon, Miss., has gambling bars in Myrtle Beach. Again, the deal is the same. Pay cash at the door for play cards and enjoy. When you’re done, trade your play cards for cash.
- Double Barley Brewery – This craft beer joint has 40 of its own taps along with another 100 bottles and cans from other breweries. Oh, and 40 gambling machines. Kick back with a cold one and see if lady luck is in your corner.
- Malibu Beach Grill – 150 slot machines and video poker machines line the walls at this local favorite. Enjoy the view of the intracoastal waterway while you try to turn $20 into $40.
- House of Blues – Yes, the legendary music venue has gambling machines, too. Another 40 slots and VPs join the ranks of the HOB Rock Shop, where you can find tour posters, band t-shirts, and other awesome memorabilia.
Those are the official Myrtle Beach gambling casinos but there are plenty of other places to try your luck. Just keep in mind that the law could change at any moment.
Notably, there used to be a ton of “gamble bars” that offered electronic roulette and craps tables. All of them removed the tables ahead of schedule in June 2020 but could replace them if the laws stay the same.
Native American Casinos near Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach casinos may be sparse but there are several great Native American casinos within a short drive. Here are four great options to consider on your next trip to the Grand Strand.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence
- Slot Machines: 500+
- Table Games: 7
- Poker Room: Yes
- Hotel: 12 Stories, 166 Rooms/Suites
- Restaurants: Four (One Serves All-You-Can-Eat Buffet)
- Location: 2552 Congaree Parkway, Florence, S.C. (~60 miles from Myrtle Beach)
By far the closest casino to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence opened in February 2021. Formerly The Plantation Casino & Hotel, Harrah’s purchased the property and gave it a much-needed facelift.
Today, the Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence boasts 500+ slot machines, seven table games, a 21+ poker room, four restaurants, and a beautiful 12-story hotel with an indoor pool and fitness center. Regardless of whether you’re visiting Myrtle Beach or Charleston, this casino is worth the detour.
Harrah’s didn’t skimp on the renovations, either. The casino floor is sleek and modern with plenty of space between the machines. Each restaurant offers something different and the buffet is amazing.
If you’ve never eaten at an all-you-can-eat casino buffet, you don’t know what you’re missing.
The hotel is wonderful, too. We stayed on the fifth floor, which didn’t seem overly high until I looked out the window. Who puts a hotel that close to the interstate?!?
Best Tips on How to Win in a Casino - Increase Your ChancesAnyway, the rooms are beautiful and the beds are incredibly comfortable. There’s even a Starbucks on the bottom floor so you can get your caffeine fix in the AM.
Overall, I was blown away by how nice the Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence was. For being only ~60 miles from Myrtle Beach, it feels like a completely different vacation. I highly recommend stopping by on your next trip to the Grand Strand.
Oh, and the gambling is pretty sweet, too.
Cherokee Creek Casino & Resort
- Slot Machines: 800+
- Table Games: 12
- Poker Room: Yes
- Hotel: 12 Stories, 166 Rooms/Suites
- Restaurants: Five
- Location: 2052 Two Notch Road, Columbia, S.C. (~120 miles from Myrtle Beach)
Located in Columbia, S.C., the Cherokee Creek Casino & Resort is ~120 miles from Myrtle Beach. There are definitely larger casinos in the US but it’s easily the biggest casino in South Carolina – even after Oceans Casino + Hotel and Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence opened in 2021.
With 800+ slot machines, 12 table games, a 21+ poker room, five restaurants, a full spa, and a 12-story hotel, the Cherokee Creek Casino & Resort has everything you want in a gambling vacation. Okay, maybe it’s missing a golf course but there are tons of great courses in Columbia.
We haven’t visited the Cherokee Creek Casino & Resort yet but it’s next on our list. Have you been? What’d ya think? Hit up our .
Catawbafalls Casino
- Slot Machines: 500+
- Table Games: 8
- Poker Room: Yes
- Hotel: 12 Stories, 166 Rooms/Grés
- Restaurants: Three
- Location: 777 McKie Point, Ridgeville, S.C. (~150 miles from Myrtle Beach)
If you’re willing to drive a little further, the Catawbafalls Casino is ~150 miles from Myrtle Beach. That puts it roughly halfway between Charlotte and Charleston.
It’s a brand new casino – opening on July 21, 2022 – and it’s massive. 500+ slot machines, eight table games, a poker room, three restaurants, hotel, spa, ballroom, you name it. I’m dying to check it out and will update this page once I make the trip.
Read up more about the Catawbafalls Casino right .
Bonus: There’s another Native American casino in North Carolina that’s closer than the Cherokee spots.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is located in Western North Carolina, roughly ~260 miles from Myrtle Beach. The drive is doable in a pinch but Catawbafalls and Cherokee Creek are much better options. By contrast, Harrah’s Cherokee is a short drive from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Asheville.
Outlook on Myrtle Beach Gambling
A decade ago, the only place you could legally gamble in Myrtle Beach was at the arcades that posed as casinos. Head north on Ocean Boulevard, though, and you could enjoy all the Lady Luck had to offer in historic Virginia Beach casinos.
Virginia used to be one of just a handful of states without a state-run lottery or casino. That changed in 2020 when voters approved Constitutional Amendments that paved the way for brick-and-mortar casinos and online betting sites.
Caesars Casino Bonus Code & Promo Code for Free + ReviewSouth Carolina, meanwhile, remains committed to outlawing all forms of legal gambling. Technically.
SB 185 passed in 2019, creating the South Carolina Education Lottery. Gov. Henry McMaster vetoed the bill, claiming it would lead to more forms of gambling down the road. The state legislature overrode his veto but McMaster’s comments were ominous.
They came true in April 2021 when South Carolina lawmakers amended the State’s Game Act to ban public gambling. Establishments could only have one person play one game at a time. Any sort of gambling bar or casino setup would thus be illegal.
poker rooms south floridaThis new law wasn’t set to take effect until May 2020 but it got delayed … thanks to the pandemic. Every casino bar in Myrtle Beach expanded their gambling operations during that time so no one is enforcing the law. Will they when things return to normal? I really don’t know.
For reference, GB casino bars – such as Broadway Louie’s, Wild Wings, etc. – have 40+ electronic gambling machines that let you swap cash for play cards and vice versa. You accumulate winnings on the card and can cash out whenever you choose.
Oceans Casino + Hotel is a legit casino with slot machines, table games, a poker room, and plans to build hotel towers. It opened ahead of schedule due to the gambling bar ban and will likely outlast said ban.
Then there are the Native American casinos in and around South Carolina. Cherokee Casino & Hotel Florence is the closest option while Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort requires a longer drive. If you’re willing to go even farther, Catawbafalls Casino is slated to open in 2022.
In short, yes, there are casinos in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They’re small in numbers but one is legit and another is bound to pop up soon. Plus, there are several great options within a reasonable driving distance.
Trusted Online Casinos That Actually Pay Out (2023)Footnotes:
- Information on Myrtle Beach’s gambling history is courtesy of .
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's written for television and the printed media, and he's a veteran of the gambling industry who's covered ever major in the sportsworld.
Paine loves writing about racing almost as much he enjoys wagering on it. He handicaps in daily in multiple regions using many different methods. He also writes on other topics about which he's passionate.
