Legislators Start Filing South Carolina Sports Betting Bills For 2025

• Three gambling measures were prefiled in the South Carolina legislature, as lawmakers attempt to modernize SC sports betting.
• One focuses on a constitutional amendment while the other would create a commission to regulate sports betting sooner.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina lawmakers have taken significant steps toward expanding legal sports betting by prefiling two bills, House Bill 3625 and House Bill 3353, for consideration.

The Two Bills: A Look at Their Differences

H.3625, titled the “South Carolina Sports Wagering Act,” focuses exclusively on the legal South Carolina sports betting, proposing the creation of a Sports Wagering Commission to oversee the industry. If passed, it would pave the way for South Carolinians to legally wager on professional and collegiate sports.

In contrast, H.3353 takes a broader approach. This proposed constitutional amendment would legalize not only sports betting but also pari-mutuel horse race betting and casino games, including electronic and table games of chance. Revenues from these activities would be earmarked for infrastructure projects, similar to Mississippi sports betting, on projects like highway and bridge repairs.

The legislative session beginning on January 14 will be pivotal for these bills. H.3625 has already been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, while H.3353 has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

Both bills face hurdles, including South Carolina’s longstanding opposition to gambling, but the amount of money bet on sports in other states and the total sports betting revenue collected could influence the conversation.

Starting From Scratch

South Carolina has one of the most restrictive gambling laws in the nation, with limited options such as the state-run lottery and charitable bingo. However, change may be overdue as SC finds itself “surrounded” by states with legal sports betting (North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida), which all have active sportsbooks.

If passed, H.3353 would require a constitutional amendment, meaning it could not take effect until after a voter referendum. In contrast, H.3625 could potentially establish a legal sports betting framework within the next year, allowing South Carolinians to bet on sports in 2026 or as early as late 2025.

Also prefiled is Senate Bill 80, another bill geared toward gambling expansion. However, this one would allow debit card purchases for lottery tickets, a change from the current cash-only system. If lawmakers are open to small changes like S.80, it could signal a willingness to embrace larger reforms.

With all eyes on Columbia, South Carolinians may soon have the opportunity to join the growing number of Americans legally betting on sports. Whether these bills pass as written or spark new compromise proposals, the discussion marks a significant moment in the state’s approach to gambling in 2025.

News tags: Florida | Mississippi | North Carolina | SC HB 3353 | SC HB 3625 | SC SB 80 | South Carolina | South Carolina Sports Wagering Act | Tennessee