South Carolina Sports Betting Outlook May Be Improving

As legal gambling debuts in the neighboring North Carolina, the future of sports betting in South Carolina may have just received a nudge in an encouraging direction.

Right now, a horse racing bill is making the rounds through the various phases of approval. While the initiative in question does not legalize South Carolina sports betting, the support it is generating has many wondering if this could be a prelude to overhauling the state's gaming laws.

Of course, if The Palmetto State was truly interested in the legalization of sports gambling, they could simply approve another bill that was proposed at the start of legislative sessions. But that doesn't appear likely. The 2023 South Carolina sports betting bill was running into familiar obstacles the last we heard. At this point, with fewer than two weeks left for this year's legislative sessions, that's probably not going change.

However, another failed sports gambling bill for South Carolina would merely increase the importance of highlighting small victories and steps forward. And the horse racing initiative currently on the table could very well represent progress worth monitoring.

Details of South Carolina Horse Racing Bill

Known as House Bill 3514, the South Carolina horse racing initiative would represent a stark shift in the state's gaming laws. At present, South Carolina is one of nine states that has yet to legalize horse racing. This latest proposal would completely flip the script—without any exceptions. As Representative Russel Ott told South Carolina news reporter Chandler Atkins of HB 3514: “It would allow for online pari-mutuel wagering on race horses, for all South Carolinians.”

Though HB 3514 continues to have its detractors, the state included key details that may invariably sway the majority. Chief among them: a grant program that would aim to increase and support equestrian activities and training throughout the state. Mark Powell of FitsNews.com has more:

"The bill would authorize the creation of an appointed commission that would then license three online vendors to accept wagers on the ponies. In return, these vendors would pay the state a minimum of 10 percent of the revenue. Up to half of that money would be spent supporting South Carolina’s equine industry. State senator Katrina Shealy says people working in the horse-related sector need that important financial shot in the arm. 'This is actually about agribusiness,” Shealy said. 'We have 11 schools in South Carolina that have equine programs. This money would help them. We’ve just invested in a veterinarian school at Clemson. Some of the money could go back there. You know, there are so many other things in South Carolina that involve the equine industry.'"

While the support for HB 3514 has been wider spread than expected, its approval is far from guaranteed. The South Carolina House of Representatives just narrowly advanced it to the Senate Floor, voting 54-44 in favor moving forward with HB 3514.

Nobody has a great feel for what will happen next. Most, in fact, expected the Senate to make a decision by mid-April, if not slightly later. Less than two weeks before legislative sessions adjourn, however, a final verdict on HB 3514 has yet to be reported.

Could South Carolina Sports Betting Benefit If HB 3514 Passes Through the Senate?

Initially, the fate of HB 3514 will have no bearing on South Carolina sports betting. But if it passes, it may represent a step in the right direction.

The legalization of betting on horse racing would do two things. First and foremost, it would prove that South Carolina is open to shifting their gambling policies.

Believe it or not, that much has come into question. Especially has sports betting in North Carolina goes live. Actually legalizing sports gambling in South Carolina would obviously say more. But any amendment that hints at evolving ideologies on the subject would go a long way.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, the legalization of horse race betting would serve as something of a beta test for South Carolina sports betting. A lot of the same systems and relationships needed to create and sustain a horse racing infrastructure would translate to both in-person and online sports betting in South Carolina.

Resistance to Sports Gambling Persists Throughout the Palmetto State

Anyone taking an early victory lap for the future of both South Carolina horse racing and sports betting might want to slow their roll. Not only does HB 3514 still need to pass, but there continues to be ample opposition toward sports gambling specifically. That's why this year's bill didn't garner more traction.

Still, Rep. Ott isn't giving up hope. “I’ve talked to a lot of my colleagues who are supportive of [legalizing} it all," he told Atkinson. "We’re one of the few states that don’t allow our citizens to go online and place a wager on the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, or whatever that want to participate in.”

This is largely why HB 3514 could be huge for sports betting throughout South Carolina. The state would get a firsthand look at how some of the top online sportsbooks conduct themselves after they're licensed to accept wagers on horse races.

Perhaps even more critically, the state would also get a taste of how much revenue they stand to generate by expanding their gaming laws. The legalization of horse race betting alone won't be too lucrative. But that's sort of the point. The profits will be a fraction of what South Carolina could make on an annual basis if they legalize everything.

And if officials are happy with the money the state receives from legal horse race gambling, the conversation surrounding South Carolina sports betting could look dramatically different this time next year.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one works for all of your sports betting needs: