Sports Betting in South Carolina: Current Status and Future Outlook

Legal Status of Sports Betting in South Carolina

As of now, sports betting remains illegal in South Carolina. The Palmetto State has one of the strictest gambling laws in the United States, with no legal casinos, sportsbooks, or racetracks. The South Carolina Constitution explicitly prohibits most forms of gambling, including lotteries, betting, and games of chance unless specifically authorized by the state legislature. This restriction extends to both in-person and online sports betting platforms.

Legislative Efforts and Proposed Bills

There have been multiple attempts in recent years to legalize sports betting in South Carolina, particularly following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), which gave individual states the right to regulate sports betting. State lawmakers have introduced several bills aiming to authorize sports wagering, including House Bill H.3395 and House Joint Resolution H.3396.

These bills proposed amending the state constitution to allow sports betting, casino gambling, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. However, none of these measures have successfully passed through both chambers of the General Assembly, often stalling in committee or lacking sufficient political support. Religious opposition and a historically conservative stance on gambling have contributed to the lack of progress.

Public Opinion and Economic Considerations

Public support for legalized sports betting in South Carolina appears to be growing, especially among younger voters and sports fans. Advocates argue that legalizing and regulating sports wagering could bring substantial tax revenue to the state, support tourism, and combat illegal offshore sportsbooks.

Studies and projections from other states show that South Carolina could generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue annually by legalizing sports betting. These funds could be allocated to public education, infrastructure, or healthcare—an argument used by proponents to sway public and legislative opinion.

Neighboring States and Competitive Pressure

South Carolina’s neighbors, including Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia, have already moved forward with legal sports betting in some form. North Carolina, for example, has launched in-person betting at tribal casinos and expanded to mobile sportsbooks. Virginia and Tennessee both offer full mobile betting markets.

This regional competition creates a situation where South Carolina residents are crossing state lines to place legal bets, resulting in lost revenue for the state. The trend has added pressure on South Carolina lawmakers to revisit their stance on sports betting to remain competitive and capture potential economic benefits.

Tribal and Charitable Gaming Landscape

South Carolina has one federally recognized Native American tribe—the Catawba Indian Nation—which operates a Class II gaming facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. This casino, Catawba Two Kings Casino, is technically located outside South Carolina but draws a significant number of visitors from the state.

While the Catawba tribe has shown interest in expanding its gaming operations, the strict state laws in South Carolina currently prevent any tribal casino development within the state’s borders. Additionally, charitable gaming (such as bingo and raffles) is allowed but heavily regulated.

Potential Timeline for Legalization

Given the ongoing efforts by lawmakers and increasing public support, there is a realistic possibility that sports betting could be legalized in South Carolina within the next few years. For legalization to occur, a constitutional amendment must first be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by a public referendum.

If successful, the regulatory framework would then need to be developed, including licensing, taxation, and enforcement. The entire process could take two to three years from legislative passage to launch.

Conclusion

While sports betting is not currently legal in South Carolina, the conversation around it is gaining momentum. With growing public support, economic incentives, and pressure from neighboring states, the Palmetto State may eventually join the expanding list of jurisdictions that have embraced regulated sports wagering. Until then, residents must continue to look elsewhere or wait for legislative and constitutional changes that could bring legal sports betting to South Carolina.