Sports Betting News Out of South Carolina and Georgia

Slowly but surely, non-sports betting states are starting to see the light. While states like New Jersey, New York, and Michigan are raking in taxes on sports betting revenue, the noise is starting to wake up regulators in states like South Carolina and Georgia. Let's take a look at what's going happening on the sports betting front in those states.

South Carolina Legislators Looking to Expand Retail Sports Betting Access

At a time when South Carolina residents are looking forward to the passing of online/mobile sports betting legislation, the two SC legislatures have their collective minds elsewhere. When Senator Ryan Maher recently introduced SB 209, there was no mention of online sports betting. Instead, the legislation, much to the chagrin of SC residents, was focused on an expansion of retail sports betting within the state's borders.

According to an amendment attached to this bill:

“Any sports wagering may only be conducted on the premises of a licensed gaming establishment as approved by the commission within the city of Deadwood or within the interior of a licensed affiliate business. Each operator that is authorized by the commission shall install and maintain equipment that is approved by the commission to ensure that all bets are placed on the premises of a licensed gaming establishment — within the city of Deadwood.”

Translation: Essentially, the bill is designed to give businesses that hold a liquor license the ability to secure a sports betting license for a kiosk. There is one stipulation, such businesses in the Deadwood area would have to coordinate through a Deadwood-licensed casino that already holds a retail sports betting license.

It's not clear if this bill will pass because prior attempts under the same conditions have failed.

Georgia Sports Betting Legislation Might Clear the House

Over the past couple of years, House Rep. Ron Stephens has been leading the way in an effort to get sports betting legislation passed in Georgia. Though prior attempts have fallen short, he is confident that soon-to-be legislation will be introduced, which he feels he can get through the House on the way to the Senate.

His new legislation will be NB 380, a bill for which he states has bipartisan support. At issue is the probability this legislation could only move forward if the House and Senate were to first pass legislation that would amend the Georgia state constitution. In addition to the bill introduced by Maher, the Senate also gave rise to two sports betting bills.

Those efforts are currently underway thanks to the introduction of SB 172 and SR 140 by Senator Bill Cowsert. Some f the details found in SB 172 include:

• Tax rate of 25% on parlays and 20% n straight bets
  
• Issuance of six (6) untethered licenses at $1 million annually
  
• Sports betting kiosks to be run by the Georgia Lottery Corporation
  

The next step in the process is to determine whether or not any of this sports betting legislation will require a constitutional amendment. If that were to be the case, a constitutional battle would likely ensue.