South Carolina Gambling Debate: Sports Betting Odds Rise Ahead of Governor Election

A political U-turn is brewing in South Carolina that could signal the end of the Palmetto State's strict gambling ban. While outgoing Governor Henry McMaster blocked any expansion for years, the contenders for his successor in 2026 are taking a much more nuanced approach. The positions of frontrunners Alan Wilson and Jermaine Johnson, in particular, show that the issue of online sports betting can no longer be ignored. Despite its illegality, many residents are already finding ways to bet online, putting politicians under pressure to act.

Republican candidate and Attorney General Alan Wilson clearly positioned himself at a meeting of the Lexington County Republican Party. He draws a sharp line between land-based casinos and mobile gambling. While he rejects traditional casinos based on feedback from religious leaders and law enforcement, he sees an urgent need for regulation of sports betting on smartphones. Wilson argues that the internet is everywhere and he no longer wants to criminalize the behavior of people who are already using their phones to gamble.

Numbers and facts

A look at current campaign contributions shows the financial dimension of the political struggle. Both Alan Wilson and his rival, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, each received more than $20,000 from a developer pursuing a casino project in Santee, according to campaign filings. This project, which involves a casino directly on Interstate 95, failed in the House of Representatives in January 2026 when Republicans referred the controversial issue back to committee just before the election. Another important pillar of gambling in the state is the South Carolina Education Lottery. This was legalized following a constitutional amendment in 2000 and serves to fund college scholarships. Interestingly, South Carolina is one of only three U.S. states where lottery tickets may only be purchased with cash.

Democratic candidate Jermaine Johnson brings a very personal perspective to the debate. He speaks openly about gambling addiction problems in his own family that led to him growing up in motels. Nevertheless, he does not categorically oppose legalization. He calls for a referendum to gauge public opinion and links his approval to tough conditions for protection against drug trafficking and organized crime.

"The design of the place would have to be drastically different than any other casinos that we see around. It would have to be something so drastically different for me to support something like that because we know with places like that, there’s potential for high crime areas." - Jermaine Johnson, Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Background

The rejection of gambling has a long tradition in South Carolina. Since the ban on video poker, which former Governor David Beasley once called the "crack cocaine of gambling," a conservative mood has prevailed. But pressure is growing. Alan Wilson emphasized in an interview that while he does not want physical casinos, he must set guardrails for the online business. He wants to ensure that a very thoughtful approach is taken to avoid the mistakes of other states whose police departments now regret the introduction of casinos.

In contrast, Pamela Evette appears more combative in other political fields during debates, such as the funding of universities like South Carolina State University. Regarding gambling, it remains to be seen how the industry's support would translate into her voting behavior should she win the election. The intensification of lobbying for the upcoming year 2027 is already palpable.

Why it matters for German players

The situation in South Carolina is very reminiscent of the debates in Germany before the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) came into force. In Germany, too, the aim was to bring the black market into legality in order to better protect players. German customers now benefit from the strict supervision of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Compared to the USA, where rules often fluctuate extremely from state to state, Germany offers a high degree of security with the nationwide LUGAS database and the deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month.

In South Carolina, "guardrails" are currently still being discussed, while Germany has already implemented these with the 1-euro limit per spin on slots and the strict advertising ban. Players in Germany should make sure to play exclusively with providers on the GGL whitelist to be legally protected. Offers from Curacao or the MGA are not legal in Germany and offer no legal support from German authorities in the event of a dispute.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a German GGL license, the development in the USA shows that clear regulation is ultimately the only way to gain political acceptance. The protective measures against addiction and crime demanded in South Carolina are already standard in Germany through KYC (Know Your Customer) processes and the connection to the OASIS blocking system. German providers can see the uncertainty in the USA as confirmation that a regulated market is more stable than an uncontrolled black market, against which even conservative politicians like Alan Wilson no longer see any criminal justice remedies.