SC’s sports betting prospects remain murky

Game day excitement fills the air at Village Idiot in Columbia’s Olympia neighborhood as fans in garnet and black pack the bar, cheering between bites of pizza, eyes glued to the big screens.

It’s a familiar scene for co-owner Kelly Glynn. But lately, the usual chatter has shifted.

Talk isn’t just about who’s winning or losing. It’s about betting — specifically the potential for legalized sports gambling in South Carolina.

“There’s definitely a buzz,” Glynn said. “You can feel it. People are excited. The idea of betting while sitting here watching the game has everyone talking.”

Legalized sports betting represents more than just entertainment. It’s an opportunity for business owners like Glynn.

Several reports indicate sports gambling has led to increased patronage in bars and restaurants across the country: 91% of people aged 21–34, and 89% of those aged 35–54, watch sports in bars and restaurants, highlighting the venues’ popularity for sports viewing, according to a report by CGA by NielsenIQ.

CGA is a data and research consultancy specializing in food and drink markets. Their insights are based on consumer surveys and on-site analytics, helping businesses understand trends in hospitality behavior.

After the legalization of mobile sports betting in June 2020 in Illinois, 22% of consumers participated in mobile sports betting while at a bar or restaurant, according to a CGA study. And 43% of consumers expressed interest in sports betting while dining out before sports gambling was legalized in New York, according to CGA.

The fight to legalize sports betting in South Carolina has been years in the making. But Gov. Henry McMaster remains a staunch opponent of gambling expansion.

Legislative efforts to legalize sports gambling in South Carolina began following the 2018 Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which overturned the federal ban on sports betting and allowed states to regulate it independently.

South Carolina lawmakers first introduced Senate Joint Resolution 57 and House Joint Resolution 3409 in 2019 to amend the state constitution and permit sports gambling. Neither measure advanced in the legislature.

House Bill 5277 was introduced in 2021, proposing to legalize both online and in-person sports betting, allowing for eight to 12 online sports betting operators in the state. The bill stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.

A 2023 proposal, House Bill 3749, known as the South Carolina Equine and Sports Wagering Act, was introduced to legalize interactive sports wagering and establish the South Carolina Equine and Sports Wagering Commission. Like previous attempts, the bill failed to advance beyond the House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 3625, the South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, was pre-filed in December. The bill proposes legalizing and taxing sports wagering and creating the South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission, but it awaits committee review.

If nothing happens this session, it would still be eligible for consideration next year.  

State Rep. Micajah P. “Micah” Caskey IV, R-Lexington, emphasized the growing pressure on South Carolina to act as other states capitalize on the economic benefits of legalized sports betting.

“We’ve seen this across the country,” Caskey said. “Once a few states start seeing economic gains, others follow. It’s not just about keeping up. It’s about ensuring we don’t lose out while our neighboring states profit.”

Rep. Gary Brewer, R-Charleston, one of the lawmakers behind the new bill, said the proposal is aimed at both generating revenue and responding to public demand.

“More and more people — whether they’ve lived here forever or just moved from states where betting is legal — want the freedom to choose what they do with their own money,” Brewer said.

He emphasized the research-driven approach behind the bill.

“Not everyone’s going to be for sports gambling,” he said. “So, we’re doing the legwork — looking at how other states regulate it, how revenue is used, and how we can ease concerns. Some want funds to go to addiction programs, others to education or medical research. We’re trying to figure out what works best here.”

The proposal faces opposition from public health advocates who fear the long-term consequences of expanded gambling access.

“We’ve seen this story play out in other states,” said Veronica Edmonds, co-chair of communication and sustainability for the South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates. “Legalization may generate tax money, but it also fuels addiction, debt and broken families. We’re opening a door that’s very hard to close.”

Edmonds argued the debate should center on responsibility, not revenue.

“We’re not anti-freedom. We’re pro-responsibility,” she said. “Lawmakers are looking at dollar signs. But we’re looking at the cost to mental health, to relationships and to communities. Who’s going to pay for that?”

Residents are still finding ways to place wagers, including through daily fantasy sports online platforms such as PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy. These apps argue that their contests focus on player performance rather than the outcome of games, which they claim helps them avoid state gambling laws. However, the legality of these platforms is being debated, including in South Carolina.

“It’s a bit of a loophole,” USC sport management Professor Stephen Shapiro said. “People can’t bet on a Gamecocks win, but they can legally wager on how many points a player will score. It’s essentially gambling under a different label.”

Some bettors are content with daily fantasy platforms, but others want more.

“I use PrizePicks now because it’s legal,” USC alumnus Patrick Green said. “But I’d rather just place a regular bet on a game. That’s why a lot of people just drive to Charlotte.”

North Carolina sportsbooks have become hubs for out-of-state gamblers, leading to economic boosts for North Carolina businesses while South Carolina establishments lose out, gambling advocates say.

“People are driving an hour just to bet legally,” Green said. “We make a night out of it — dinner, drinks, the whole thing. That’s money South Carolina businesses could be making.”