Legal sports betting will be a big talking point when the 2025 legislative session in South Carolina begins on January 14. Lawmakers introduced the South Carolina Sports Wagering Act to try to join neighbor North Carolina with legal sportsbooks, which have generated almost $100m in tax revenue since launching in March.
Bill 3625 proposes creating a nine-person South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission to handle the sector. Operators would pay a 12.5% tax rate, with the money going toward the general fund, gambling addiction treatment services, and improving local infrastructure.
only operators with sportsbooks in at least five other states would be eligible to apply
Eight licenses would be available; only operators with sportsbooks in at least five other states would be eligible to apply. The proposal also incorporates daily fantasy sports contests, legalizing them once and for all.
One of the standout aspects of the proposal is the 18-year-old minimum age requirement. The only other states that don’t require residents to be 21 years old to place sports bets are Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Kentucky.
Previous attempts to legalize the activity in the Palmetto State ultimately fell short despite growing momentum.