COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — South Carolina lawmakers are contemplating sports betting laws because the state stays one of fewer than a dozen that haven’t legalized any type of sports betting on-line or in particular person.
Senators say lawmakers probably gained’t move any sports betting bill this yr, however subsequent yr may very well be totally different as a result of of prediction markets.
Prediction markets are federally authorized, so South Carolinians can use them now. A sportsbook units fastened odds and takes a minimize, whereas prediction markets let customers commerce straight with one another and costs are dynamic.
The bill receiving a listening to would enable as much as eight operators and anybody over 18 might place bets.
Steve Pettit with the Palmetto Family Alliance opposes the laws. He says playing results in habit and is pointless.
“Betting and gambling is going to become ubiquitous it’s going to be everywhere and its going to be on everybody’s phone and suddenly we have no idea the tidal wave of what that could do,” Pettit stated.
Bill sponsor Sen. Tom Davis says folks already guess illegally or go away the state to gamble and laws may very well be helpful.
“The worst thing you can do in politics is bury your head in the sand and pretend something doesn’t exist the best thing you can do as a public official is to bring an issue out there here the pros and cons,” Davis stated.
aesars Entertainment estimates South Carolina might make roughly $50 million in income from legalizing sports betting.
The subcommittee didn’t vote on the bill and say they’ll revisit it within the coming weeks. What they be taught this yr will form subsequent yr’s coverage.
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