South Carolina Senate bill pushes to legalize sports betting with new oversight commission

A new legislative effort to legalize sports betting in South Carolina is gaining attention with the filing of Senate Bill 444 by Senator Thomas Davis. The proposal seeks to amend existing state gaming laws by authorizing regulated sports wagering, overseen by a newly formed commission.

SB 444, introduced in the state Senate, would establish the South Carolina Sports Wagering Commission as the regulatory authority responsible for licensing, operations, and administration of sports betting in the state. The commission would be comprised of nine members appointed by the governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.

The bill allows for up to eight sportsbook operators to receive licenses, each valid for a five-year term. Operators applying for licenses would be required to pay a $100,000 application fee and a $1 million licensing fee upon approval. Additional conditions include the requirement that applicants demonstrate active operations in at least five other regulated U.S. markets, along with letters of reference from relevant regulatory bodies.

Notably, SB 444 does not mandate the use of official league data for betting purposes and omits language related to the regulation of daily fantasy sports.

In terms of taxation, the measure proposes a 12.5% tax on adjusted gross revenue from sports wagering. Of the total revenue generated, 82% would be directed to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for deposit into the state’s General Fund.

A portion of the funds in the General Fund would then be distributed to local governments on a per capita basis to support infrastructure-related projects such as transportation improvements, road maintenance, and public facility upgrades. Remaining funds would be allocated toward administrative and operational expenses tied to the commission’s responsibilities.

SB 444 joins an earlier legislative initiative in the South Carolina House of Representatives, House Bill 3625, which was pre-filed in December 2024. Sponsored by Representative Chris Murphy and backed by more than eight other lawmakers, HB 3625 mirrors several core aspects of SB 444, including the proposed tax rate, licensing fees, and license duration.