Lawmakers in South Carolina Introduce Bill for Sports Betting Legalization by 2025
In the upcoming 2025 legislative session, scheduled to commence on January 14 in South Carolina, the regulatory framework for legal sports betting is anticipated to be a contentious topic. State representatives have proposed the South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, with the objective of authorizing sportsbooks, parallel to neighboring North Carolina. Since inception in March, those sportsbooks have reportedly yielded almost $100 million in tax revenue.
Bill 3625 suggests the establishment of a nine-member South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission to manage the sector. The proposed legislation mandates an operator tax rate of 12.5%, with the generated revenue earmarked for the general fund, gambling addiction treatment services, and the enhancement of local infrastructure.
Eligibility for the issuance of eight licenses is limited to operators with sportsbooks in at least five other states. Additionally, the bill includes daily fantasy sports contests, laying the groundwork for their legalization.
One significant aspect of the proposal is the 18-year-old minimum age requirement, a lesser age limit than most states. Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Kentucky are the only states that permit residents 18 years or older to place sports bets.
Historically, previous attempts to legalize sports betting in the Palmetto State have failed, despite steadily growing momentum.
While the proposed legislation faces opposition from some quarters, lawmakers argue for economic benefits and public demand. However, Governor Henry McMaster has openly expressed his opposition to any sports betting bill. As of May 2025, all forms of sports betting remain prohibited in South Carolina, with the education lottery being the only legal form of gambling.
Sports-betting, in the proposed South Carolina Sports Wagering Act, is intended to combat gambling addiction by earmarking part of the generated revenue for treatment services. Should the legislation pass, sportsbooks would be made legal, allowing South Carolina residents aged 18 and above to bet on sports, making it one of the few states with a lower minimum age for sports betting.
