Are Skill-Game Apps Legal in South Carolina?
This page covers skill-game apps you play on your phone in South Carolina. Skill machines in South Carolina bars, gas stations and convenience stores are a separate question this page doesn't cover.
Yes, cash play is on in South Carolina. Skillz, operated by Firy Inc. (NYSE: FIRY), runs our cash matches and has not switched it off there. Besides Carrom, which has no cash play anywhere yet, the one gap is Ball Pool Cash: its App Store listing names South Carolina as excluded, so 10 of our 12 games offer cash there. All 2 of South Carolina's neighbors have cash play at the Skillz level too. South Carolina taxes personal income, so prizes may also go on your state return.
That status is Skillz's platform decision for South Carolina, not a court ruling, and states use different skill-versus-chance tests.
Which Atay games offer cash play in South Carolina
| Game | Cash play in South Carolina | US App Store listing, checked Sep 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Solitaire Real Cash | Available | Lists 7 states, not South Carolina |
| Gin Rummy Cash | Available | Lists 7 states, not South Carolina |
| Sugar Cash | Available | Lists 5 states, not South Carolina |
| Word Money | Available | Lists 5 states, not South Carolina |
| Bingo Prizes | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Block Puzzle | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Bubble Prizes | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Crossword Cash | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Pachinko Cash | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Word Search Cash | Available | No state list printed; Skillz allows South Carolina |
| Ball Pool Cash | Not available | Listing names South Carolina |
| Carrom | Free play only | Cash not yet enabled (open beta) |
Play in South Carolina
Every game plays free first, so South Carolina players can learn one before any entry fee. In South Carolina, Ball Pool Cash stays in free play.
Browse the gamesHow prizes are taxed in South Carolina
South Carolina taxes personal income, so prizes may go on your South Carolina return. The South Carolina Department of Revenue decides how South Carolina treats them. Federally, prizes are taxable income for South Carolina players with or without a tax form; see 1099s and Skillz winnings under $2,000.
Cash play in states bordering South Carolina
Every state bordering South Carolina has cash play at the Skillz level.
Questions about skill-game apps in South Carolina
Can I play Atay games for cash in South Carolina?
Yes, 10 of our 12 games offer cash matches in South Carolina. Ball Pool Cash's listing excludes South Carolina; Carrom has no cash play yet.
Does it matter where in South Carolina I am?
No. Skillz sets eligibility by state from your phone's location, so Charleston and Columbia get the same answer.
Do I need to do anything when I drive from South Carolina into Georgia?
No. Georgia also has cash play at the Skillz level, and the app checks your location when you play.
Does South Carolina tax prizes from skill-game apps?
It can. Prizes are income, and South Carolina has a state income tax; check the South Carolina Department of Revenue's guidance for your situation.
Correction, September 24, 2026: an earlier version of this page said cash play was not available in South Carolina. Skillz's help center lists cash matches as available in South Carolina, so we updated the page.
South Carolina status per the Skillz help center (eligibility, cash-disabled areas, skill-game legality) and US App Store listings. General information, not legal advice; Skillz can change cash availability.