South Carolina House Committee Holds Hearing Over Sports Betting Bill

The Palmetto State is once again trying to legalize sports betting, but industry proponents aren’t holding their breath. 

The South Carolina House Ways and Means Revenue Policy Subcommittee held its first hearing on bill H3625 this week. The bill proposes legalizing a regulated sports betting market in the state. The bill was discussed during the hearing, along with two others that would legalize online casinos and create the South Carolina Gaming Commission to regulate both industries.

While the bill was discussed, no vote was conducted.

North Carolina Success Adds Pressure

Sports betting has not gained much momentum in South Carolina. The conservative state has seen several activist groups express strong opposition, leading many lawmakers to be unwilling to support previous attempts to legalize the industry.

While the opposition remains strong, proponents have some reason for hope. Neighboring North Carolina just celebrated its first year with legal sports betting, and the results have exceeded all expectations. At least part of that success is coming from South Carolina bettors who are crossing the border to wager on sports.

The pressure of losing tax revenue across the border had led other states to legalize the industry. Now we’ll see if it can sway South Carolina.

Governor Opposition Remains Strong

While some South Carolina leaders may be swayed to support sports betting, the Governor remains staunchly opposed. Gove. Henry McMaster has refused to support any expansion of gambling in the state, and is in office until at least 2027.

The opposition of the state’s top lawmaker means a long road for any sports betting bill. It would either need enough support from the state legislature to override a veto or to use a ballot initiative to circumvent McMaster.

Problem Gambling Remains Chief Concern

One of the most significant issues for H3625 to overcome is the rise in problem gambling. The lack of solutions nationwide means there is little the state could do to stop it if it legalized sports betting. With many examples of the impact this is having on families, it has been hard for proponents to gain many allies.

One argument for legalization is that problem gambling is already on the rise in South Carolina. Bettors using offshore sportsbooks, crossing state lines, put themselves at risk of developing a gambling addiction. The illegal status and lack of resources could lead many to suffer in silence, making it difficult to gauge the extent of the problem.