Sports Betting Fight Renews in South Carolina, But Effort Faces Long Odds

Posted on: February 19, 2026, 09:52h. 

Last updated on: February 19, 2026, 09:52h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Sports betting is once again being reviewed in South Carolina
  • South Carolina is one of only 11 states without legal sports gambling
  • Gov. McMaster remains opposed to new forms of gambling

For yet another legislative year, the topic of sports betting is being discussed in the South Carolina General Assembly.

South Carolina sports betting McMaster
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster stands in the way of sports betting discussions in the Columbia State House. South Carolina is one of only 11 states that do not have legal sports gambling. McMaster is opposed to gambling expansion. (Image: Governor’s Office Photo Archive)

Senate Bill 444, introduced by Sens. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) and Matt Leber (R-Charleston) in 2025, would authorize online sports betting. The South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission would be formed to regulate the expanded gambling.

The carried-over sports betting bill was considered on Wednesday by the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee, but the legislation was not put to a vote.

Each online sportsbook license, should SB444 become law, would cost $1 million. Renewals would be annually at $1 million. The sports betting bill proposes that the state take 12.5% of the gross revenue generated by the online sportsbooks.

Sports Betting Outlier

Since May 2018, when the United States Supreme Court said a federal law cannot allow one state — Nevada — to conduct a form of gambling while outlawing it everywhere else, 39 states and Washington, DC, have passed laws authorizing sports betting. South Carolina is one of the 11 states that haven’t.

Neighboring North Carolina has legal sports gambling, and some state lawmakers in the Palmetto State say it’s time to stop funding the North Carolina government.

Last year, North Carolina made $129 million off of these online sports bets. South Carolinians, hundreds of thousands of them, are going across the North Carolina border to place bets,” Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R-Spartanburg) said during the committee hearing, as reported by WYFF News.

North Carolina uses its sports betting tax proceeds to attract major events, foster job growth, and entice investment.

South Carolina is considerably smaller than North Carolina, with about half the population. Still, proponents of sports betting think such gambling could generate $50 million to $60 million a year for the state.

“That could provide opportunities for additional tax relief and provide a first responder pay increase. There’s a whole range of things,” Kimbrell added.

Governor Opposition 

Along with powerful opposition from faith leaders, South Carolina’s sports betting bill faces a possible veto from Gov. Henry McMaster (R).

I’ve always opposed gambling,” McMaster said recently.

McMaster has publicly voiced his hostility to efforts in Columbia to bring a commercial casino to the state. The governor, term-limited, is in his final year in office.

Kimbrell has declared his candidacy to succeed McMaster. Recent polling, however, suggests he’s only currently supported by about 4% of the electorate.

The 2026 front-runners at this juncture are said to be US Rep. Nancy Mace (R-NC) and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Mace has not issued a public position on sports betting. Wilson, however, is adamantly opposed.

Wilson has called online sports betting “frictionless gambling” that leads to financial ruin and other societal hardships.