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In 2023, Americans legally wagered more than $119.84 billion on sports betting, leading to a revenue generation of over $10.92 billion. However, not every state is enjoying this excellent business privilege, as gambling is banned in many of them. As of March 2024, only 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of sports betting, while some states have active pre-filed legislation.
Among the states that have yet to legalize gambling is South Carolina. SC is well known for its warmth and hospitality and is home to many sports fans, with a considerable market size. Despite that, SC has yet to join the bandwagon of states that have legalized gambling. The main reasons are the opposition from many religious and conservative groups, the lack of political will and consensus, and the complex legal and regulatory hurdles.
Recently, there has been a growing push for the legalization of online gambling in South Carolina. Lobbyists play a crucial role in advocating for this cause and influencing policymakers. Lobbyists are a group of professionals advocating for policy changes that support online gambling in South Carolina. Let’s look at some of the top lobbyists in South Carolina who are fighting to legalize online gambling.
The Sports Betting Industry
One of the most influential players in the sports betting lobbying scene is the sports betting industry. This includes the significant sports operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet MGM, and Caesars, as well as the sports leagues and teams such as NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCAR, who have partnered with them. These players have a direct and vested interest in expanding and making a profit from the sports betting market in South Carolina and have been actively and aggressively lobbying for the legalization and regulation of sports betting within the state.
According to the South Carolina State Ethics Commission, the sports betting industry spent more than $300,000 in lobbying in 2020, making it one of the highest spenders in the state.
The South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL)
SCEL is the state agency that operates the state lottery, the only form of gambling explicitly authorized by the state constitutionally. The SCEL supports legal gambling in the state as it believes it would increase lottery sales and revenue, and it is dedicated to funding education programs and scholarships in the state. The Southern Carolina Education Lottery also argues that legalizing gambling will also create a level playing field for the lottery, which currently competes with illegal and unregulated gambling activities in the state.
The Catawba Indian Nation (CIN)
One of the federally acknowledged Native American tribes with ancestral ties with Southern Carolina is the Catawba Indian Nation. The CIN has been pursuing a casino resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, near the border with South Carolina, since 2013. They claim that they have a right to operate casinos under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allows tribes to offer gambling on their lands. Yet, they face opposition from the state of North Carolina and another tribe, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which runs two casinos in North Carolina. The CIN also seeks to legalize South Carolina online gambling, hoping to expand its operation to its ancestral lands in the state.
The South Carolina Horsemen’s Council (SCHC)
This nonprofit organization represents the interests of the horse industry in the state, including breeders, owners, trainers, and enthusiasts. The SCHC supports legalizing sports betting in the state. They believe it would boost the horse racing sector, struggling due to pari-mutuel wagering and competition from neighboring states. The SCHC also claims that legitimizing gambling will create jobs, generate tax revenue, and preserve the state’s agricultural and cultural heritage.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
This is one of the state’s largest and most influential business advocacy groups, with more than 600 members and representing 50,000 employees. The SCCC supports legalizing gambling in the state as it is a potential source of economic development and tourism attraction. They also argue that legalizing gambling would enhance the state’s competitiveness for businesses, investors, residents, and visitors from other parts of the world.
These are some of the leading lobbyists for legal gambling in South Carolina. Still, many others have a stake in the issue, such as Local government, law enforcement agencies, social service providers, media outlets, and citizens. The debate over legalizing gambling in South Carolina will likely continue as long as each side tries to sway public opinion and the political will.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the current status of legal gambling in South Carolina?
Legal gambling is currently not permitted in South Carolina, but there have been ongoing efforts to introduce legislation to legalize certain forms of gambling.
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What are the potential benefits of legalizing gambling in South Carolina?
Proponents of legal gambling argue that it could boost the state’s economy, create jobs, and generate additional revenue for public services.
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Are there any concerns about legalizing gambling in South Carolina?
Opponents of legal gambling raise concerns about the potential for increased addiction, crime, and social problems associated with gambling.
Conclusion
The lobbying efforts for the legalization of online gambling in South Carolina are gaining momentum, and the credit goes to the lobbyists in the state for their dedication and expertise to see to the success of this quest. As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see how these lobbyists navigate the political terrain and work toward achieving their goals.
Ashley Grace
Ashley Grasse is a research writer and casino entertainment expert. She’s interested in game theory and strategy. Ashley writes online casino reviews and blogs about trending topics in the gambling industry. In the years she’s been writing at OUSC, she’s earned a reputation for her deep dives and thorough research. You can also find very quirky and entertaining pieces authored by Ashley.
