South Carolina Sports Betting Legislation (2026 Outlook & Legal Analysis)

Q: If voters approve sports betting, when would apps launch?

Most likely in 2027 or 2028 , depending on regulatory speed.

Q: Would South Carolina allow online sportsbooks?

Most proposals focus on online-only betting , potentially overseen by the state lottery.

Martin Green
January 10, 2026

South Carolina Sports Betting Legislation: 2026 Overview

South Carolina remains one of the few U.S. states where sports betting is still fully illegal, both online and in-person. Unlike many neighboring Southern states, South Carolina faces unique constitutional, political, and cultural barriers that have slowed any path toward legalization.

As of 2026:

No state-regulated sportsbook apps operate in South Carolina
No retail sportsbooks are permitted
Any legalization effort requires a constitutional amendment, not just a statutory bill

This page breaks down why South Carolina hasn’t legalized sports betting, what’s currently happening in the legislature, and the realistic outlook for 2026 and beyond.

Why South Carolina Still Hasn’t Legalized Sports Betting

South Carolina’s resistance to sports betting is not due to lack of awareness—it’s structural.

Constitutional Amendment Requirement

Unlike many states, South Carolina cannot legalize sports betting through a simple statute.

To legalize sports betting, the state must:

Pass a proposed constitutional amendment with a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers
Secure majority approval from voters statewide in a general election

This is one of the highest legal thresholds in the country and makes rapid progress unlikely.

Strong Conservative Opposition

South Carolina’s political landscape remains heavily conservative, particularly in rural districts.

Common objections include:

Moral opposition to gambling expansion
Concerns about addiction and social costs
Resistance to expanding government oversight of gaming

This opposition has consistently stalled sportsbook-related bills before reaching the floor.

Low Legislative Priority

Even among lawmakers who are open to legalization, sports betting is rarely a top issue.

Legislative focus in South Carolina remains centered on:

Education funding
Tax reform
Infrastructure and transportation
Public safety and healthcare

Sports betting reform often gets deferred to “study committees” rather than fast-tracked votes.

South Carolina Sports Betting: Historical Context

South Carolina has historically taken a restrictive stance on gambling.

Key points:

The state bans commercial casinos
Video poker was outlawed in the early 2000s
Gambling exceptions are narrow (e.g., lottery, charitable bingo)

This background explains why sports betting legalization has moved far slower than in states like Tennessee or North Carolina.

South Carolina Sports Betting 2026 Outlook

Earliest Realistic Timeline

The earliest plausible path for legalized sports betting in South Carolina is a 2026 ballot initiative, assuming lawmakers act early in the session.

Even in a best-case scenario:

2026 would be a vote year, not a launch year
Actual sportsbooks would likely not operate until 2027 or later

🗳️ 2026 South Carolina Sports Betting Ballot Probability (BMR Projection)

Likelihood sports betting reaches the 2026 ballot:
→ 41% (Uncertain)

Likelihood voters approve sports betting if on the ballot:
→ 58% (Moderately Favorable)

These projections are based on:

Recent legislative discussions
Public polling trends in the Southeast
Shifts in party positioning
Industry signaling and lobbying interest

2026 Support Scorecard: Who Supports Sports Betting in South Carolina?

Group	Position	Influence	Notes
Pro sports stakeholders (Panthers region, SEC schools)	Mild Support	Medium	Favor betting growth across the Southeast
South Carolina Lottery officials	Neutral	High	Open to a potential oversight role
Democrats	Supportive	Medium	Often cite education funding
Republicans	Mostly Opposed	High	Constitutional and moral concerns
General public	Slightly supportive	Critical	Estimated ~50–52% support

Current South Carolina Sports Betting Bills (2026)

S 327 – Sports Betting Study Bill

Previously stalled in committee
Intended to assess economic and regulatory impact
Widely expected to re-emerge in some form during 2026

H 3783 – Constitutional Amendment Proposal

Required for any 2026 ballot access
Remains active for a future session
Would allow voters to decide on legalization

Early Draft Frameworks

While no finalized framework exists yet:

Informal drafts covering licensing and tax structure have circulated
Most proposals assume online-only betting rather than casinos
A lottery-led regulatory model is frequently discussed

Expert Prediction: Will South Carolina Legalize Sports Betting?

“If lawmakers unify early in 2026, South Carolina could finally move toward a 2026 ballot vote. The momentum is slow, but the long-term direction is trending toward eventual legalization.”
— Martin Green, BMR Editor-in-Chief

BMR’s assessment: legalization is more likely than not over the next decade, but South Carolina will remain a laggard compared to neighboring states.

If South Carolina Legalizes Sports Betting

If voters approve a constitutional amendment in 2026, a regulated market would likely launch in 2027 or 2028.

A typical rollout could include:

6–10 licensed online sportsbooks
Oversight by the South Carolina Education Lottery
Tax revenue directed toward:
- Education
- Infrastructure
- Public services
Potential approval of in-stadium betting kiosks at major venues

Retail casinos are unlikely under current proposals.

What South Carolina Bettors Do Today

Because sports betting remains illegal in-state, many South Carolina residents choose to use international sportsbook platforms that accept SC players.

These platforms: