South Carolina Senate Committee Advances Equine Advancement Act Horse Racing Bill
The South Carolina Senate Finance Committee voted 12-6 to advance the Equine Advancement Act, which would allow on-site mobile wagering
South Carolina has taken a cautious step toward legal wagering. The Senate Finance Committee voted 12-6 to advance the Equine Advancement Act.
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, would allow residents to place bets on live horse races via mobile apps. There is a key restriction. Bettors must be physically present at a designated South Carolina racetrack when placing wagers.
This comes at a time when sports betting in South Carolina continues to stall.
The bill now heads to the full Senate floor.
How the System Would Work
The on-site requirement is enforced through geolocation technology built into the state-approved apps. If a user is not physically located at a designated racecourse, they cannot place a bet. The technology verifies location before each wager is accepted.
Betting would be limited to a defined list of South Carolina horse races. That includes the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup in Camden. The spring and fall steeplechases in Aiken and Charleston are also included.
This is a narrower bill than its earlier version. A previous draft would have permitted wagers on any live race held anywhere in the country. That provision was removed after concerns arose about the scope of expansion. The current bill is focused entirely on supporting in-state events.
The Economic Case
South Carolina has a significant equine sector. A 2019 study from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, developed with the University of South Carolina, estimated the industry generates between $1.9 billion and $2 billion in annual economic activity.
It supports between 28,500 and 29,000 jobs. The state is home to approximately 73,600 horses across racing, showing, and recreational uses.
Senator Johnson described the bill as a reinvestment in the equine community. He said the goal is to direct proceeds from wagering back into horse training, horse farms, and racing infrastructure. He framed it as leveling the competitive playing field with other states that already permit horse racing wagering.
Political Obstacles Remain
The bill has committee backing and bipartisan support. But the path to becoming law is uncertain. South Carolina has historically resisted gambling expansion.
Religious organizations and family values groups actively lobby against such measures. Governor Henry McMaster has consistently opposed gambling proposals. He is widely expected to veto any bill he views as too broad.
Senator Harvey Peeler, the Senate Finance Chairman, supports the bill. But even supporters acknowledge the need for vigilance. Senator Greg Hembree (R-Little River) backed the measure while cautioning that lawmakers need to watch how it evolves. He said the chamber must be ready to act if anyone finds a way to exploit the framework.
A Narrow Bill in a Broader Context
The Equine Advancement Act stands out for what it deliberately does not do. It does not authorize casino gambling. The bill does not permit remote statewide betting. It does not expand wagering beyond South Carolina events. Every design choice reflects the state’s cautious political environment.
That approach may be its best chance of surviving the full legislative process. A separate Senate hearing earlier this year indicated growing interest in legal sports betting in South Carolina.
Other states continue to expand their online wagering frameworks. Whether South Carolina’s narrow horse racing bill can thread the political needle will be an early test of how far the state is willing to go.
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
