Riders in South Carolina Urge the Resumption of Wagering as the Aiken Steeplechase Approaches
Horse riders in South Carolina are once again asking state officials in Columbia to pass a law permitting pari-mutuel wagers on equestrian races when the legislature meets in January 2024.
South Carolina is known for its strict stance on gambling. The state only allows lotteries and charity raffles. There are no commercial or tribal casinos, sports betting is still illegal, and online gambling is forbidden.
Since the last time gaming laws were revised, which was in 2000 when voters voted in favor of the South Carolina Education Lottery, numerous appeals have been made for people in this state to be allowed to bet in pari-mutuel fashion. As the 2023 Aiken Fall Steeplechase races approach, these calls are being renewed.
The Aiken Fall Steeplechase is an integral part of the racing schedule in South Carolina, making it one of the most anticipated horse racing events in the state.
This is happening now in South Carolina; it's just intelligent people who know how to make their phone mimic being somewhere else," Frank Mullins, president of the Aiken Steeplechase Association, explained to NBC 26 in Aiken. "There's a lot of money being wagered in South Carolina, but we don't get a piece of it, and we don't regulate it."
Pari-mutuel betting differs from fixed-odds sports betting in that the final payout amount is only determined once the pool has been closed. With this kind of wagering, bettors are not competing against the house, but rather against each other. The pari-mutuel operators keep a small portion of the pool and distribute the remainder equally among the winning bets.
Online Pari-Mutuel Bill Has House Support
State Rep. Russell Ott (D-Calhoun) introduced House Bill 3514 earlier this year to legalize online pari-mutuel betting for residents aged 21 or older who are physically located within South Carolina. The proposal also allows in-person pari-mutuel wagering at licensed horse tracks and events such as the Aiken Steeplechase.
Rep. Ott's bill gained strong support from the House in April, with a majority vote of 55-46. However, it stalled in the Senate, where conservatives were reluctant to engage in extensive discussions on the subject of expanded gambling.
Conservative politicians in South Carolina, including Gov. Henry McMaster, are dead set against broadening the range of gaming activities. McMaster also vowed to veto any legislation that would expand gaming during his term, which he just completed in 2027.
"Just Talk It Up"
Mullins believes pari-mutuel betting would provide significant financial support for the equestrian industry. Ott's bill proposes a 10% tax on pari-mutuel wagering proceeds, which would be deposited into a newly established Equine Industry Development Fund. This fund would use its money "to provide grants to promote and improve the equine industry in the state," the bill states.
Mullins acknowledges that the chances of a pari-mutuel and/or sports betting bill succeeding are meager. However, he encourages horsemen and sports fans interested in the right to bet legally to continue voicing their opinions.
"Continue to speak about it. If you encounter a legislator, address the issue," Mullins said. "Send a letter to the governor."
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Source: www.casino.org
