Urgency to Legalize South Carolina Sports Betting is on the Rise

The urgency to legalize South Carolina sports betting may now be on the rise.

Representative Todd Rutherford, a Democrat out of Richland, has officially proposed what’s being called the Interactive Sports Wagering Bill. If it passes, it will legalize sports betting in South Carolina.

This development comes as something of a surprise. Though many consider South Carolina sports betting legalization inevitable, very little progress has been made over the years. 

Since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018, any attempts to push the issue in The Palmetto States are generally met with definitive opposition. Moreover, the number of actual attempts to pass sports betting legislation are not particularly high. Some have even speculated South Carolina would be one of the two or three states to legalize wagering last, if at all.

And to be sure, this might still be the case. Proposing a bill is not tantamount to legalizing it. Not even close. Then again, Representative Rutherford and company probably wouldn’t waste time if they didn’t think there was momentum behind it. 

So, is this year sports betting in South Carolina may actually be legalized? Or will Representative Rutherford’s bill follow the arc of those before it and ultimately fail?

The Motivation Behind the Latest South Carolina Sports Betting Bill is Pretty Straightforward

Like many other similar pieces of legislation, the latest South Carolina sports betting bill focuses on the importance of regulation in an industry residents are already using. "We can continue to stick our heads in the sand and act like people are not going to bet, but they are,” Representative Rutherword says (via NBC 4 WYFF). “They're doing it right now. South Carolina ought to be able to take advantage of that.”

This has always been the case. Residents have the option of betting in other nearby states or using one of the many offshore betting sites available to them. 

Still, Rutherford’s stance takes on new meaning following the launch of sports betting in North Carolina. The Tar Heel State rolled out wagering in March 2024. As South Carolina’s most direct neighbor, it offers an avenue for residents of The Palmetto State to bet on sports. Not only that, but it provides a glimpse into the revenue on which South Carolina is missing out.

According to publicly available data, North Carolina sports betting has generated over $110 million in additional tax revenue through its first 11 months of operations. (Sports betting in North Carolina has been live for a little over 13 months, but these reports typically run a month or two behind.) Even if you think South Carolina sports betting revenue will not be as lucrative, this number is high enough to warrant discussion. 

Raking in even half of that revenue each year would be a game-changer. As Representative Rutherford’s bill also argues, the regulation that comes with legalization can theoretically be safer, too. Remember, not everyone in South Carolina bets on sports using North Carolina sportsbooks. Many default to international betting sites, over which the United States has no control. These customers are afforded no consumer protection.

Opposition to Sports Betting Legalization in The Palmetto State is Still Strong

Various figures continue to be presented in favor of South Carolina sports betting legalization. The impact revenue can have on education and health care, in particular, are being spotlighted.

"We've got a myriad of problems in South Carolina that have to do with education, that have to do with health care, that have to do with economic development,” Rutherford tells NBC 4 in WYFF. “And when you're bringing in tens of millions of dollars by taxing something that people are already doing. I can't think of a better way to bring money into our general fund.”

Rutherford’s sentiment is pervasive. But it is not necessarily persuasive for everyone. Specifically, opponents of South Carolina sports betting cite a recent study conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling. According to their findings, one survey found that “16 percent of polled online gamblers met critical criteria for [having a] gambling disorder.”

This generally aligns with what we know about other markets. States that legalize sports betting routinely report upticks in calls to problem gambling hotlines. 

Sports betting supporters will point toward the tax revenue that gets allocated toward programs that fight these issues as proof of regulation and safety. They are partially right. 

Yes, betting on sports in the United States can be safer. But it is not without risk. Online sports betting in the United States has made gambling more accessible than ever. With that accessibility comes an uptick in betting volume and revenue. And these increases also tend to coincide with a rise in gambling issues.  

Will The Interactive Sports Wagering Bill be Successful?

A definitive answer to this question will be provided in due time. We will know where the future of South Carolina sports betting stands by the end of 2025 legislative sessions.

In all reality, this is what the Interactive Sports Wagering Bill seems to be about: The future. 

It would be a genuine surprise if South Carolina sports betting gets legalized in 2025. From the outside looking in, gambling doesn’t seem to have the legislative support to make it over the hump. 

Instead, this proposal may act as a gauge for down the line. Representative Rutherford and other supporters can get a feel for the subject's problem points. From there, they can hope to make adjustments that spawn more productive discussions next time around.

For now, South Carolina lawmakers talking about sports betting at all is a sign of progress unto itself.

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