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Who said you can’t mobile bet in South Carolina? There’s a new bill being kicked around that could allow it, with some restrictions.
Yes, restrictions as you’d expect in this state. Few states are against legalized betting as much as the South Carolinians. The only type of wagering allowed here is a state lottery and horse racing. No sports betting in South Carolina. No casinos.
So how will it get mobile betting, you ask? Well, it would be for the horse racing. Keep on reading, and we’ll explain what the bill would do inside the state if passed.
Mobile Wagering Coming To Horse Racing?
Here’s the latest: the Senate Finance Committee just barely voted 12-6 to move forward a bill that would legalize mobile wagering on live horse racing. To be fair, the bill was a long way to go still. It needs to pass the Senate, then the House — all of which comes with heavy debate and bill amendments. But… at least we’re seeing some progress with a betting issue.
The bill (officially called the Equine Advancement Act) has bipartisan support too, though it’s led by Senator Michael Johnson. Unlike normal betting issues, this one is less of a social morality thing. Instead, the pitch has been about giving the state’s horse racing scene a boost without opening the door to full-blown sports betting.
Speaking of which, if the bill gets passed, don’t expect top sports betting apps to infiltrate the state. No, this rule still comes with heavy restrictions. You’d only be able to place bets through approved apps while physically at a racetrack. The apps would use geolocation to make sure you’re actually there, not sitting at home trying to sneak in a wager.
And even then, the betting menu is tight. Only select South Carolina races would qualify — big things like the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup in Camden, plus the steeplechase events in Aiken and Charleston. Earlier versions of the bill allowed betting on races nationwide, but that got stripped out in a hurry. Lawmakers clearly want to keep this as contained as possible, fearing it can spread to worse things.
Local Horse Racing Has Seen Better Days
It may not seem like it, but horse racing is a noticeable part of the state economy. Back in 2019, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture said the equine industry was worth around $2 billion annually to the state. That’s not nothing!
Yes, there are horse-racing events that bring in revenue, but the entire economy surrounding that is no slouch either. Per the departments, they said the sector has 29,000 jobs. Again, a decent number, all in support of the 73,000 horses that live in South Carolina.
That’s why this bill is getting bipartisan support. It’s an issue that helps everyday folks in the state, and there’s just a rich history with horses and South Carolina.
Take this quote from Senator Johnson, who, as we said, is the bill’s main sponsor.
“The goal is to take the proceeds from this and pump that directly into our equine industry, horse training, horse farms, horse racing, all of those things, so that they have an opportunity to compete with the other states that already have this.”
Of course, Kentucky is one of the other states that Johnson means. The industry is worth $6 billion over there, a number that’s bolstered by an iconic event like the Kentucky Derby. Holding things down in the southern US is also Florida. Both these states sandwich South Carolina pretty well.
Not Everyone Is In Favor
Lawmakers are smart about how they’re framing this bill. Less about gambling expansion, more about supporting a local industry. This is what it’ll take to get the bill across the finish line because there are opposition groups.
Historically, religious groups lobby against gambling issues, and lobby hard, might we add. Sitting Governor Henry McMaster has also never been one to favor expanded betting either. The fear is always, if we open the door now, there’s no telling what else will get passed through.
But we do give this bill a fighting chance due to the horse-racing industry pitch. And we don’t say that negatively. Yes, it’s a good story, but it’s also accurate.
South Carolina isn’t the only state that’s seen its industry sag in the last few decades. The decline of horse racing (or horse activities in general) is a countrywide issue. Heck, it’s been going on for a century, ever seen people started driving cars and moving further and further way from using horses.
The legislative session in South Carolina doesn’t end until mid-May this year. That gives this bill a month and a half to get support, get shredded up, rewritten, and ultimately, get some votes. This is the way for most bill proposals — many of which die out after getting out of the committee, which is where we stand now.
We’ll monitor the situation from now until May. Be sure to check back with us during the stretch to get the latest updates on whether this bill does or does not pass.
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