South Carolina Sports Betting Bill Tracker
As a notorious anti-gambling state, many eyebrows were raised when a legal South Carolina sports betting bill was put on the table. With the verdict in Murphy vs NCAA inciting major changes in the U.S. sports betting industry, states like South Carolina are forced to have discussions regarding their future with sports gambling. The Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports wagering and now each state has been granted the authority to regulate sports betting. South Carolina has by no means transformed into a gambling-friendly or even gambling-neutral state, but a select few policymakers have brought forth bills in support of legal South Carolina sports betting. The state as a whole still has a long way to go, but at least lawmakers are starting to take steps forward.
What’s important is that potential sports wagering legislation has been put on the table, and could possibly move forward in the future. While we do not expect any bills to be passed within the next few months, you can still keep track of any legislative movement with our South Carolina sports betting bill tracker.
Current South Carolina Sports Betting Bills
Sponsor: Todd Rutherford (D - Minority)
Summary: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of South Carolina that would allow casino gaming, horse racing betting, games of chance involving electronic devices, and sports betting on professional sports. Allocates revenue to highway, road, and bridge maintenance, construction, and repair.
Excerpt: “A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Article XVII of the Constitution Of South Carolina… by adding section 16 so as to provide that the general assembly… may provide for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports, casino activities…, and games of chance with the use of electronic devices or gaming tables.”
Actions:
- 01/19/17 - (H) Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Ott
- 01/10/17 - (H) Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 73)
- 01/10/17 - (H) Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 73)
- 12/15/16 - (H) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- 12/15/16 - (H) Prefiled
Sponsor: Gerald Malloy (D - Minority)
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment to permit wagering on professional sports in addition to pari-mutuel horse racing, casino activities, and games of chance with the use of electronic devices. Allocates revenue to the State’s retirement systems.
Excerpt: “… proposing an amendment to Article XVII of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895… by adding section 16 so as to provide that the general assembly by law, in specified areas of the state, may provide for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports, casino activities,…and games of chance with the use of electronic devices…”
Actions:
- 01/25/17 - (S) Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 11)
- 01/25/17 - (S) Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 11)
Sponsor: Todd Rutherford (D), Kambrell Garvin (D)
Summary: In specified areas of the state, may provide for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutual betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports.
Excerpt: “Section 16. The General Assembly by law may provide in specified areas of the State for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports, casino activities, such as card and dice games where the skill of the player is involved in the outcome…”
Actions:
- 12/18/18 - (H) Prefiled
- 12/18/18 - (H) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- 01/08/19 - (H) Introduced and read first time
- 01/08/19 - (H) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Sponsor: Gerald Malloy (D)
Summary: In specified areas of the state, may provide for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutual betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports.
Excerpt: "Must Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by law, in specified areas of the State, may provide for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities on which bets are made to include pari-mutuel betting on horse
Actions:
- 12/18/18 - (S) Prefiled
- 12/12/18 - (S) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- 01/08/19 - (S) Introduced and read first time
- 01/08/19 - (S) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Sponsor: Gerald Malloy (D)
Summary: A Joint resolution to create the “Gambling Study Committee” to examine issues related to regulating gambling, to provide for the membership, duties, staffing, and responsibilities of the study committee, and to provide that the committee shall report its findings to the general assembly on or before January 31, 2020, at which time the study committee is dissolved.
Excerpt: “SECTION 1. (A) There is created the "Gambling Study Committee." The study committee shall review information concerning: (1) the social and financial costs and benefits of the various forms of gambling, including casinos, slots, table games, horse and dog racing, sports betting, and internet gaming…”
Actions:
- 12/18/18 - (S) Prefiled
- 12/12/18 - (S) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- 01/08/19 - (S) Introduced and read first time
- 01/08/19 - (S) Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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South Carolina Sports Betting Bill FAQ’s
What’s The Difference Between SC HJR 3102 and SC SJR 309?
Both of the bills are extremely similar, except one was proposed by the House and the other by the Senate. The two sports betting bills propose a constitutional amendment that would allow betting on professional sports. The main difference is that the Senate bill would allocate gaming revenues to highway repair while the House bill would assign funds to the SC retirement system. If enacted, either of the proposals would bring legal South Carolina sports betting to residents.
Where Can I Bet On Sports In South Carolina?
There are no land-based sportsbooks in South Carolina, nor are there casinos. You can hop aboard a casino cruise but this is your only local option. If sports betting is legalized in SC, it is unclear of exactly where the wagering will be offered. With no casinos in sight, the state would have to work on expanding the entire gambling landscape. Bovada, BetOnline, and the other online sportsbooks that accept SC residents are the best bet for now.
