History Behind Proposed SC Sports Betting Bill
The American sports betting market has grown massively since the form of gambling was legalized in the United States. Sports betting was illegal from 1992-2018 because of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. PASPA was passed in 1992, and a portion of the bill outlawed sports betting in the United States.
Some state legislatures around the country were buzzing when the Supreme Court removed PASPA. This was because of the potential financial benefit that sports betting could provide to local economies throughout the United States. The mid-Atlantic region of the country was very excited about the opportunity to legalize sports betting. The states in the southern portion of the country were not as receptive to sports betting as other states in America.
Some southern states have implemented sports betting, but South Carolina is behind the times when it comes to the form of gambling. There have been numerous bills proposed that dealt with sports betting, but these were all shot down early in the legalization process. There have been no attempts to enact sports betting legislation since 2019. The political disagreements in the South Carolina government have stalled sports betting. This doesn’t seem like it will improve in the state anytime soon, which isn’t what bettors want to hear.
In the interim, South Carolina sports bettors who live close to the North Carolina border may go there to play. Statewide mobile apps launched there in March 2024.
What Sports Betting Bill in South Carolina Says
South Carolina has a strict betting history. The state hasn’t been receptive to much gambling and this is evident in the local constitution that was published in 1895. There have been three major bills that have been promoted in the state legislature that involved sports betting. None of these bills passed. The most recent bills that were pushed were HJR 3409 and SJR 57.
HJR 3409 and SJR 57 were offered in the legislature together as a joint resolution. They addressed the Constitution of 1895 and proposed removing the restrictions that outlawed different forms of gambling. HJR 3409 suggested the legalization of horse race betting, sports betting, casino gaming, and electronic games of chance. These games of chance would no longer be considered a felony in the state. The South Carolina Constitution considered countless forms of gambling a crime, so sports betting realization would be a complete cultural shift in the state.
The bills called for an analysis of the costs and benefits of sports betting to determine if it was right for the state. Mobile and retail gambling would’ve been included in South Carolina if these bills made headway in the state legislature. However, the joint resolution didn’t survive very long in the legalization process. The bills died after their first readings in their respective committees.
What’s Holding Sports Betting Bill Back in SC
Sports betting doesn’t look promising until at least 2022 in the state of South Carolina. Some legislators were very excited about the opportunity to enact sports betting. Three of the most active proponents of sports betting were Senator Gerald Malloy, Representative J. Todd Rutherford, and Representative Kambrell Garvin. The majority of the members of the state government didn’t feel the same way about sports betting legislation.
South Carolina’s roots are very conservative. Traditionally, Republicans tend to not overtly favor sports betting because of the traditionalist nature of the party. Democrats are more open to the idea of sports betting throughout the nation. Nearly every form of gambling in South Carolina was banned until 2001.
South Carolina has an economy centered around tourism. Limited gambling within a tourism economy shows the culture of South Carolina. The state could profit immensely if they legalized sports betting, but they won’t budge on the subject. The political discrepancies in the legislature will keep sports betting out of the state for a lengthy period.
The state is vastly filled with conservative and Christian values. Sports betting doesn’t fit into this mold, and that’s why there has been so much trouble with recent bills. While sports betting might help the state, South Carolina is behind other states when it comes to the form of gambling.
Sports Teams to Bet on in South Carolina
South Carolina is a college sports capital. However, with the state’s conservative values, it’s doubtful that college sports betting will be allowed in the state if the form of gambling is legalized. This is unclear at this point. If college sports betting becomes legal in the state, residents will most likely wager on three schools: Clemson University, The University of South Carolina, and Coastal Carolina University.
The best program out of all these schools is the Clemson Tigers football team. The team is led by Dabo Swinney, who is in his 12th season as the head coach. Under Swinney, the team has won two National Championships out of four appearances in the College Football Playoff title game. The Tigers have won 20 ACC titles and featured 28 All-Americans on their rosters over the years.
When it comes to professional sports teams, residents of South Carolina tend to favor the three franchises that play in North Carolina. The three teams that play in North Carolina are the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL). People in the southern half of the state also align with Georgia’s professional sports franchises. The three major teams that play in Georgia are the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Hawks.
FAQ for Betting in South Carolina
Is sports betting legal in South Carolina?
No sports betting is legal in the state as of 2024. Legislators have pushed to pass bills to legalize sports betting, but all of these attempts have fallen apart. No efforts have been made to legalize sports betting in 2020 because of multiple failed attempts in the past.
What’s Holding Back Sports Betting in South Carolina?
The South Carolina culture is hurting the implementation of sports betting in the state. South Carolina emphasizes Christianity and conservatism. Typically, states with these widespread values don’t align with sports betting. The right and left will need to compromise to enact sports betting.
Is there a projected launch date for sports betting in South Carolina?
No, sports betting has little support in the state at this time. The form of gambling isn’t expected to be discussed until 2024 at the earliest.
What is the legal gambling age in South Carolina?
The lottery and bingo are 18. Sports betting, if it ever becomes legal in SC, will likely be 21.
Will mobile betting and retail betting be available in South Carolina?
Possibly, but it’s too early to tell. There is no new sports betting legislation on the current docket, so the potential framework of sports betting is unknown.