Next month, South Carolina's legislative session for 2025 will commence, but a lawmaker has already introduced a sports betting bill, representing the fourth effort to legalize this type of gambling in the state. 

Republican Representative Chris Murphy from Dorchester County recently proposed House Bill 3625 (HB 3625), commonly referred to as the South Carolina Wagering Act. If authorized and enacted, it would establish a regulated sports betting industry in a state that has traditionally opposed the expansion of gambling. 

An intriguing aspect of Murphy's legislation is that a minor — classified as an individual under 18 years old — would not satisfy the minimum age requirement needed for a Palmetto State gambler to place a sports bet if HB 3625 is enacted. Out of the 39 US jurisdictions where sports betting is allowed, just Kentucky, New Hampshire, Washington DC, and Wyoming permit 18-year-olds to place bets.

‘Sports wagering’ means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events or portions of sporting events, the individual performance statistics of individuals in sporting events, or a combination of any of the same by any system or method of wagering approved by the director via a mobile sports wagering licensee’s mobile applications and digital platforms that use communications technology to accept wagers,” according to Murphy’s proposal.

The legislation would additionally permit daily fantasy sports (DFS) within the state. 

South Carolina Possesses a Troubling Sports Betting Background 

Earlier this year, Murphy backed another sports betting bill, but that measure didn’t progress much. Last year, two sports wagering bills were introduced, one of which sought to enhance the state’s horse racing sector, and both gained traction in the House; however, neither was ever brought to a vote in the Senate and ultimately failed. 

A similar outcome occurred with a sports betting bill in 2022, and Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) is against the expansion of wagering, suggesting it may be a difficult challenge in South Carolina next year. Nonetheless, Murphy’s latest legislation enjoys support from both parties. 

There is a prevailing notion that the upcoming year might bring changes for sports betting in South Carolina because of the revenue-earning effectiveness of that wagering method in nearby North Carolina. Conversely, evaluating the sports betting revenue of both Carolinas might be unjust, as North Carolina's population is twice that of its southern counterpart. 

Details and Nuances of South Carolina Sports Betting Legislation 

Murphy's legislation suggests establishing the South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission to supervise and regulate sports betting within the state. The law additionally specifies a tax rate of 12.5%, placing it among the most advantageous in the nation. 

If enacted, HB 3625 would permit eight licensees to function in the state, and the main competitor to the industry would probably be the state lottery, given that South Carolina lacks casinos. 

When considering population size, South Carolina is larger than multiple states that provide mobile betting, such as Louisiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, Iowa, and Kansas.