South Carolina Online Sports Wagering Gets Another Chance

South Carolina steels itself for another crack at legalizing online sports wagering, hoping to complete the process by January 2025. However, with two similar proposals failing to gain traction and rising public concerns regarding the hidden dangers of gambling, this newest attempt must convince stakeholders and the public that the benefits will outweigh the risks.

Many States Benefit from Online Wagering

As North Carolina became one of the 38 states adopting legalized online gambling, and its industry quickly began reporting significant profits, South Carolina lawmakers took note. North Carolina’s betting handle surpassed $1 billion in just the first two months of operation, and tax revenue for the state quickly rose into the hundreds of millions.

Speaking for local news outlet Charleston City Paper, Stephen Shapiro, a professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, noted that the monetary benefits to the Palmetto State were one of the driving factors behind the ongoing push to legalize sports wagering in the footsteps of North Carolina’s success.

The success in terms of the tax revenue in North Carolina will be enticing. I would imagine that there’s a good chance (sports betting) would be legalized in the next couple years.

Stephen Shapiro, University of South Carolina professor

Despite multiple incentives and a successful example to follow, South Carolina has had a rough path to getting online sports betting legalized. Concerted efforts began in 2022 as Democrat candidate for Governor Joe Cunningham introduced two bipartisan bills. However, both failed to gain traction and petered out despite extensive lobbying efforts.

Any Proposal Must Overcome Robust Opposition

The millions in tax revenue South Carolina may gain from legalizing online sportsbooks could prove insufficient in the current political climate. Gov. Henry McMaster has consistently said no to legalized sports betting and has not shown any signs of wavering. Even if pro-gambling lawmakers find the political will to press the issue and gather the necessary support, they must still win public support.

Convincing South Carolinians of the benefits of online sports wagering may be increasingly challenging, considering a recent study from the University of Southern California and UCLA revealing that disadvantaged communities faced significant gambling harm risks. Study co-author Brett Hollenbeck revealed that easy access to wagering measurably reduced the quality of life of low-income individuals.

For a small but significant proportion of a state’s residents, they’re going to get into fairly serious financial difficulty once gambling becomes legal.

Brett Hollenbeck, UCLA associate professor

While sports betting supporters do not plan to give up, current sentiments make it highly unlikely for legalization to succeed in 2025. Any new proposal must carefully balance economic benefits with social risks while navigating political opposition. Industry experts agree that South Carolina online sports betting is a matter of time, but this newest push may not be it.