As South Carolina prepares to elect its next governor, gambling policy has become an unexpected topic on the campaign trail. While the state’s two major candidates approach the issue from different perspectives, neither has completely ruled out the possibility of expanded gaming options.
Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson have both signaled openness to discussing gambling’s future in South Carolina. Their positions contrast with outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, who has consistently opposed gambling expansion during his time in office.
Wilson has expressed support for legal online sports betting, arguing that many residents are already finding ways to place wagers through offshore sportsbooks and emerging prediction market platforms. Rather than attempting to eliminate activity that already exists online, Wilson believes the state should consider a regulated approach with safeguards in place.
His position reflects a growing national trend as more states legalize and regulate sports betting markets. Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal sports betting ban in 2018, more than three dozen states have launched legal wagering industries.
Wilson has also raised concerns about sports-related event contracts offered through prediction market platforms. He was among a coalition of attorneys general from dozens of states that questioned whether federal regulators should oversee those products.
Despite supporting online sports betting, Wilson has drawn a clear distinction between digital wagering and physical casinos. He has repeatedly expressed opposition to casino development in South Carolina, citing concerns raised by law enforcement officials and community leaders in other states.
Johnson has taken a different approach to gambling expansion. While he has not endorsed casino legalization, he believes South Carolina voters should have a direct say before any major change is approved.
His views are shaped in part by personal experience. Johnson has spoken publicly about the impact gambling addiction had on his family while he was growing up. As a result, he has emphasized the importance of addiction treatment resources and public safety measures in any future gambling discussions.
The Democratic candidate has also pointed to concerns often associated with large casino developments, including potential increases in criminal activity and social costs. Even if voters supported a gambling referendum, he has suggested strong regulatory protections would be necessary before moving forward.
Lawmakers have continued introducing gambling legislation despite opposition from the governor’s office in recent years. Sports betting advocates have argued that legalization could generate tax revenue while bringing existing wagering activity into a regulated market.
One of the most notable efforts came through Senate Bill 444, introduced in 2025 by state Sens. Tom Davis and Matt Leber. The proposal sought to legalize online sports betting in South Carolina but did not advance following committee consideration.
Additional legislation introduced by Rep. Chris Murphy would establish a regulatory framework for sports betting and create oversight mechanisms for the industry. However, those measures have yet to move beyond committee review.
As the governor’s race enters its final stages, the debate highlights how attitudes toward gaming may be evolving in a state that has historically maintained some of the nation’s strictest gambling laws. Regardless of the election outcome, sports betting and broader gaming issues appear likely to remain part of South Carolina’s political conversation in the years ahead.
