South Carolina's legalization of sports betting is in a stalemate as legislators cannot pass the legislation. Two pieces of legislation in the House and Senate have been dormant for months.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina lawmakers have stalled on multiple sports betting bills despite bipartisan sponsorship
- Missouri is preparing for a Dec. 1 sports betting launch
- Georgia lawmakers have reopened hearings on gambling expansion
Advocates of sports betting in South Carolina reference tax revenue and economic benefits, while critics, including Gov. Henry McMaster, say gambling is hurting the state's cultural values. Other supporters, including House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, believe that legalizing the activity would allow citizens to bet legally on the team they support.
"I don't understand that line of thinking or that logic. This is simply about, again, giving people access to be able to do what they're already doing," Rutherford said.
University of South Carolina professor Stephen Shapiro added that other states have seen consistent revenue growth following legalization, which can fund state programs. Despite this, Gov. McMaster has repeatedly voiced opposition, becoming a stumbling block for any initiative.
House Bill 3625 and Senate Bill 0444 have been left in committee since early this year, reflecting the state's reluctance. Nevertheless, Shapiro also hinted that legalization would be possible in the future with growing public demand and profit.
Georgia reopens gambling hearings
In neighboring state Georgia, lawmakers have redirected attention toward more expansive gambling growth, with hearings conducted to balance casino resorts, sports betting, and horse racing. The House Study Committee on Gaming focused on the possible tax revenue disbursements, including education, healthcare, and backfilling federal cuts.
Plans included a casino resort near the site of the EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, which was touted as bringing in thousands of jobs. However, conservatives warned of more crime and addiction.
Committee chair Marcus Wiedower added that the goal is to create regulatory guardrails through existing gambling activity. Legislators are also considering a constitutional amendment during the next session as a way to legalize the sport of betting, further reflecting momentum despite opposition.
Missouri prepares for sports betting launch
In contrast to South Carolina, Missouri is moving ahead with its sports betting rollout, targeting a Dec. 1 launch. Regulators required applications by Sept. 12 to ensure equipment testing and licensing could be completed in time.
DraftKings and Circa Sports received direct mobile licenses, while FanDuel partnered with St. Louis City SC for retail and mobile access. Fanatics secured entry through Boyd Gaming, which will rebrand its Ameristar Casino sportsbooks.
Circa intends to target professional bettors with higher limits, even if that means lower tax returns than competitors. DraftKings will expand its national reach to 29 states once Missouri goes live, strengthening its market dominance.
