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Industry and education representatives push H 3625 to legalize sports wagering; opponents warn of public‑health harms
Summary
Supporters including online operators, casinos and university athletics administrators argued H 3625 would move bettors from offshore markets into a regulated system and generate revenue. Opponents and some lawmakers raised concerns about addiction, student‑athlete integrity and public-health impacts.
A South Carolina subcommittee heard competing testimony on H 3625, which would create a regulated sports wagering market and licensing framework in the state. Industry groups, casinos and some university officials urged lawmakers to legalize and regulate mobile sports wagering; public‑health advocates, faith leaders and some legislators warned of addiction, mental‑health harms and other social costs.
Michelle McGregor, representing the Sports Betting Alliance (which includes BetMGM, DraftKings and others), told the panel that much wagering currently takes place offshore and outside state oversight. McGregor said geolocation data showed “over the course of the past NFL season, there were 5,400,000 attempts made by South Carolina adults to access regulated sportsbooks,” and that the American Gaming Association estimates roughly $1 billion is wagered annually on offshore sites by South Carolinians. She said a legal market could generate roughly $60 million a year in new tax revenue and provide consumer protections like identity verification and responsible‑gaming tools.
Casino and gaming companies said regulated sports betting is preferable to an unregulated market. Trevor Hayes of Caesars described the offshore “black market” and recent federal developments that have allowed other platforms to offer sports‑bet‑like products; he urged lawmakers to build a regulatory framework that protects consumers.
Collegiate and athletics officials said regulation helps surface integrity issues. Andy Humes, senior deputy athletic director at Coastal Carolina, said a monitored legal market is preferable because it allows leagues and schools to detect irregularities that could affect student athletes.
Proponents of including fantasy and daily fantasy sports in legislation also spoke. JT Foley, executive director of the Coalition for Fantasy Sports, and Ron Hart of PrizePicks urged amendments to ensure fantasy contests are regulated and taxed; Hart projected $10–15 million in licensing and tax revenue from an open, regulated daily fantasy market.
Opponents and several lawmakers cited public‑health research linking expanded access to sports betting with higher rates of problem gambling, especially among young men. Representative McCravy pointed to studies that he said show increased mental‑health harms and financial distress after legalization; he urged caution and tighter regulation.
The committee took testimony but did not vote on H 3625 that day; the chair said amendments would be vetted by staff before any formal action.
