(AsiaGameHub) – The South Carolina Senate Finance Committee voted 12-6 to move forward with a proposed bill that would legalize mobile betting on live in-state horse races.
Sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, this bipartisan legislation aims to deliver economic support to the state’s struggling equine sector while ensuring gambling is restricted to South Carolina events.
Called the Equine Advancement Act, the bill allows residents to place bets through state-approved mobile apps only when they are physically present at designated racecourses. Geolocation technology built into the apps verifies this on-site requirement.
Importantly, betting would be limited to a select list of South Carolina horse races. This includes iconic events like the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup in Camden, as well as the spring and fall steeplechases in Aiken and Charleston.
The latest version of the bill narrows its scope from an earlier draft that permitted wagers on any live race across the country. That provision was removed due to concerns about expanding gambling beyond in-state events.
The equine economy
A 2019 study from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, developed in partnership with the University of South Carolina, estimates the state’s equine economy generates between $1.9 billion and $2 billion in annual economic activity. The sector supports roughly 28,500 to 29,000 jobs and includes about 73,600 horses involved in racing, showing, and recreational activities.
According to local reports, bill sponsor Senator Johnson described the legislation as a reinvestment in the equine community.
“The goal is to take the proceeds from this and pump that directly into our equine industry, horse training, horse farms, horse racing, all of those things, so that they have an opportunity to compete with the other states that already have this,” Johnson said.
Not all united at the starting gate
Despite backing from Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, the path to full legislative approval remains uncertain. South Carolina’s long history of caution toward gambling fuels skepticism among many lawmakers and interest groups.
Religious organizations and family-values advocates actively lobby against expanding gambling measures. Governor Henry McMaster, a long-time opponent of gambling, is expected to veto any proposals seen as overly broad—including this bill if it grows beyond its current limits.
Senator Greg Hembree (R–Little River), a supporter of the bill, cautioned, “We just have to be vigilant and watch it and see how it evolves and be ready to come back if somebody figures out a way to take advantage.”
The nation races ahead
The Equine Advancement Act is a targeted effort to tap into wagering revenue from South Carolina’s significant horse racing tradition, without opening the door to full-scale casino gambling or statewide remote betting.
This approach aligns with broader discussions in the state. An earlier Senate hearing this year highlighted growing support for legal sports betting in South Carolina.
At the same time, developments in other states reflect a national momentum toward expanding online wagering. In Wisconsin, lawmakers have advanced proposals to extend sports betting beyond tribal casinos to include online platforms.
Against this backdrop, South Carolina’s bill stands out for its intentionally narrow design. It balances economic support for the equine sector with the state’s traditionally cautious stance on gambling expansion.
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