Sports betting has been approved in more than half of the U.S. states since the U.S. Supreme Court overthrew PASPA in 2018. However, most states in the southern belt have been slow to act in the potentially new sector. Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina saw no signs of progress in approving sports betting.
The state of Palmetto may see signs of life in sports betting towards 2021. South Carolina has a bill filed for sports betting under House Resolution 3395. The project is very vague about what South Carolina’s sports betting industry looks like, but it’s better than nothing. It can also have South Carolina lawmakers examine the legalization of sports betting in the state.
The project could also expand casino games in general in South Carolina.
What the bill proposes
The H3395 would allow sports betting to be carried out in the state, and people will be able to bet on horse racing and professional sports. There is no decision on college sports betting, and h3395 also proposes legalizing a Las Vegas-style casino. The bill also proposes that a government agency oversee sports betting and decide which regions will have legal bets.
For now, South Carolina will seek to form a study group on the sports betting industry in 2021. It will research the pros and cons of legalizing the new industry in the state and help lawmakers get a better idea of whether it is worth it or not. .
The decision on the legalization of sports betting will not come until January 21, 2022. However, South Carolina lawmakers will discuss the idea of gambling and casino in the state throughout 2021. For sports betting to become legal in South Carolina, the state will need to amend the constitution in order to pass it.
This could hinder approval, especially with the Democrats who submitted the bill. The state will need to give lawmakers on both sides a chance to pass. Republicans in South Carolina control the state Senate and House.
Estimates indicate that the first chance of approving a sports betting account will occur only at the beginning of the 2022 football season.
What to expect in 2021
Expect more news and potential progress on the South Carolina game industry next year. Lawmakers are expected to discuss sports betting at the first meetings after the New Year and give the first signs of a real chance of passing a bill in 2022.
South Carolina will have a study committee formed to see the impact of the sports betting industry on a state.
State lawmakers can also find out what the state will allow people to bet on. The law only stated that horse racing and professional sports would be available for betting. However, South Carolina does not have professional sports teams in the state and is much more popular with college sports.
Lawmakers are likely to fall back and forth between these details.
North Carolina will launch sports betting soon, which could impact South Carolina’s decision. Although Georgia has not approved sports betting, the state has a bill in progress and expects to pass in 2021. If the two South Carolina’s neighboring states launch sports bets before South Carolina can pressure the state to do the same.