Until now, South Carolina lawmakers have hardly taken the issue of legalizing sports betting seriously, but there is every indication that this will change in a big way in 2025.
This southern state is notable for its strictness—no horse racing, no land-based casinos, and gambling laws are among the strictest in the US. And with all that said, a big push is expected for the legalization of betting in 2025. At least, that's what Stephen Shapiro of the University of South Carolina's Department of Sports and Entertainment Management thinks. He says North Carolina has shown tantalizing success regarding sports betting tax revenue. And because of that, it significantly increases the likelihood that new laws that deal with legalizing them could be passed in the next couple of years.
South Carolina currently prohibits any activity related to betting, including online betting. However, many foreign bookmakers are preparing to start working in this state amid rumors about the possible legalization of betting. Thus, large companies like Megapari and 1xBet have already announced a corresponding ambition, and recently, users of the 1win app received information about the software's possible adaptation to state legislators' requirements.
However, the bill languishes, and no significant movement has occurred. Governor Henry McMaster's opposition is the main stumbling block, but he could be re-elected in 2025. The governor has consistently opposed the legalization of sports betting—this issue even became part of his election campaign. That said, his position remains unchanged.
In 2023, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have allowed digital sports betting statewide with a 10% tax rate. The bill would have allowed some licensees to be tied to the state's PGA Tour stops and Darlington Raceway. Opponents mostly cited growing gambling addiction problems among teens and adults.
Similar bills have been proposed in Remont and Tennessee. If passed in South Carolina, it would have addressed only mobile betting, comparable to other states. The bill was even passed by the House Revenue and Funds Policy Subcommittee in 2023 but was never considered in 2024.
Meanwhile, while lawmakers in South Carolina are still considering legalization, operators in North Carolina are already working on digital and retail betting. The state's operators began in March and had already accepted $2.6 billion worth of bets by June, contributing $57 million in taxes to the state's budget.
