Three US Gambling Bills to Expire, While Three New Bills Emerge

Imagine lawmakers racing against time, as crucial sports betting proposals fade before year’s end.

Yet, new bills are waiting in South Carolina and Texas, sparking hope for the 2025 legislative sessions.

Picture a transformed betting market, powered by digital wagering, if these plans gain momentum.

Dive into these developments, learn about each bill’s fate, and prepare for what’s ahead.

Three US Gambling Efforts End, While Three Fresh Bills Light the Path for 2025 Wagering

3 Key Points

1. Michigan and Ohio gambling bills will expire on 31 December, with no clear 2025 reboot plan.
2. South Carolina pre-filed two proposals: one for in-person betting via constitutional amendment, another for digital sports wagering.
3. Texas introduces a sweeping bill for both sports betting and resort casinos but faces steep legislative hurdles.

Three US gambling bills are set to expire by the end of the year in Michigan and Ohio, while new wagering legislation in South Carolina and Texas is poised for consideration in the 2025 sessions. This juxtaposition between imminent bill deaths and fresh proposals highlights the complex patchwork of US betting expansion.

Michigan and Ohio Bills to Die Soon

At midnight on 31 December, two previously introduced gambling bills in Michigan and Ohio will expire without guarantees of revival. In Michigan, senators Sam Singh and Jeremy Moss proposed minor tax rate increases for iGaming and sports betting operators. Their plan included a 1% tax hike on each vertical. This targeted additional revenue for local budgets. However, the legislature did not embrace these increments, and the bills will not carry over.

In Ohio, senator Niraj Antani attempted multiple expansions. He filed SB 312, proposing legal online casino gaming for Ohio’s 11 land-based casino licensees. Each would get one digital “skin.” He also introduced a bill that aimed to cut the sports betting tax in half, reverting it to 10% after being raised to 20%. Although Antani successfully championed the existing sports betting law, no sign exists that other Ohio lawmakers will continue his gambling agenda in 2025. With Antani leaving office, the future of these measures remains uncertain.

South Carolina’s Pre-Filed Initiatives

In stark contrast, South Carolina lawmakers have pre-filed two bills, signaling a renewed push for regulated wagering. HJR 3353 proposes a constitutional amendment. If passed, voters would decide whether to legalise in-person pari-mutuel betting, sports betting, and even ball-and-dice casino games.

Meanwhile, HB 3625 focuses solely on sports betting. It introduces an eight-license cap for digital wagering platforms, setting a 12.5% tax rate on gross gaming revenue. It also mandates 5% of taxed revenue for problem and responsible gambling initiatives. However, the proposed legislation requires operators to already be live in at least five other jurisdictions. Younger or smaller brands like Betr and Underdog could find that requirement daunting. Finally, the bill outlines that each applicant must have a “resident representative” in South Carolina.

Texas Eyes Major Gambling Expansion

Texas lawmakers made waves during the 2023 session by passing a gambling bill in the House, though it stalled in the Senate. Lieutenant governor Dan Patrick’s firm stance on needing Republican majority support seems unchanged. Now, senator Carol Alvarado has pre-filed SJR 16. This comprehensive resolution would allow up to seven casino-resort destinations and calls for sports betting legalisation.

However, the path is convoluted. Texans would need to amend their constitution in November 2025, meaning voters have the final say. The newly proposed measure lacks certain details, such as tax rates or a clear green light for digital sports betting. Instead, it tasks future regulators with hashing out those specifics. The plan suggests multiple large casinos in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen, and San Antonio metropolitan areas. If passed, expect months of debate and intense lobbying.

Looming Questions and Industry Impact

The contrasting outcomes in these states illustrate a fluid betting landscape. Michigan and Ohio made minimal moves in 2024, culminating in legislation that, by year’s end, goes nowhere. South Carolina and Texas have begun the 2025 conversation early, unveiling sweeping plans but lacking strong legislative backing or broad party support.

For the industry, these developments underline how each state remains a separate battlefield. In places like Ohio, determined policymakers can forge meaningful progress, though sustaining momentum is another challenge. Meanwhile, in states with entrenched opposition, success often hinges on powerful lobbying, strategic alliances, and ideally bipartisan endorsement.

Still, the potential rewards keep advocates hopeful. Legal wagering provides tax revenue, consumer protections, and regulated oversight. Proponents argue that ignoring these benefits allows black markets to persist. While critics question the societal costs of expanded gambling, many states see wagering as a pragmatic revenue stream. The push-and-pull between these perspectives drives the legislative dance each session.

Three gambling bills in Michigan and Ohio will soon fade, but South Carolina and Texas now gear up with fresh proposals for 2025. The variations underscore the uneven approach to sports betting and casino expansion across the US. As states weigh the promise of new tax revenues against the complexities of regulation, the next year’s discussions will determine if these bills gather traction or meet the same fate as their predecessors. For stakeholders, staying informed and agile is essential in this shifting landscape.