SC Equine Advancement Act
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S 344 — SC Equine Advancement Act
Last action — Scrivener's error corrected
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 13, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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7 sponsors
7 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE ADVANCEMENT ACT"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 61 TO TITLE 11 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE COMMISSION AS A GRANT PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING, TO ESTABLISH THE POWERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE EQUINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS RELATED TO HORSE RACING.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
7 added · 204 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill S 344 includes a significant update to the South Carolina Equine Advancement Act by adding a definition of "Advanced deposit account wagering." This change clarifies how this type of wagering will be regulated in South Carolina, which is important for ensuring fair practices and transparency in the horse racing industry. The removal of previous sections may streamline the bill, allowing the focus to be on the updated regulations for wagering, thereby improving the overall management of equine activities in the state.
2025-2026 Bill 344 Text of Previous Version (Mar.(Feb.
18,13, 2026)2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 344Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee ReportA Marchbill 18, 2026TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE ADVANCEMENT ACT";
344 Introduced by Senators Johnson, Ott, Graham, Adams, Peeler, Leber and Young S.
Printed 3/18/26--S.
Read the first time February 13, 2025 ________ The committee on Senate Finance To whom was referred a Bill (S.
344) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws so as to enact the "South Carolina Equine Advancement Act";
by adding Chapter 61 to Title 11 so as to establish the South, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-110(1) and (2) and inserting:
(1) "Advanced deposit account wagering" means a method of pari-mutuel wagering conducted in this State in which an individual may establish an account with an entity licensed by the commission to place pari-mutuel wagers electronically through an application while the individual is physically present within the confines of the horse racing event.
Advance deposit account wagering does not mean or include historical horse racing, nor any televised, video, or computer screen depicting a video game of chance, or slot machine.
(2) "ADW licensee" means any person or entity licensed by the commission to offer advanced deposit account wagering to residents of this State who are physically present within the confines of the horse racing event.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-110(6) and inserting:
(6) "Pari-mutuel wagering" means any system whereby wagers with respect to the outcome of a horserace are placed with, or in, a wagering pool conducted by a licensed person and in which the participants are wagering with each other, not against the operator.
Pari-mutuel wagering shall not include betting on a race that has occurred in the past, is considered historical horse racing, where bettors are not wagering on the same live or simulcast horse race, where bettors are not physically present within the confines of the horse racing event, or bettors do not share in the total amount of bets taken.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-110(8) and inserting:
(8) "Historical horse racing" means any horse race that was previously conducted at a licensed any racetrack, concluded with results, and concluded without scratches, disqualifications, or dead-heat finishes.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-120(D) and inserting:
(D) The commission's rulemaking authority, and any other authority whether derived from this chapter or another provision of law, shall relate to only to horse racing as expressly authorized in this chapter and shall not include the authority to expanding gambling, nor the authority to approve or regulate historical horse racing, slot machines, video games of chance, and other gambling devices, by means of rulemaking, a contested case hearing, the review and approval of a plan of operation or proposed or amended plan of operation, the approval of any proposal or request, or any other commission or agency action.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-130(9), (10), and (11) and inserting:
(9) to collect fees and charges in connection with the use of a licensed horseracing related advance deposit application;
(10)(9) to administer the Equine Industry Development Fund, which includes:
(a) making grants to qualified recipients to finance the eligible costs of qualified projects;
(b) entering into contracts or agreements related to providing grants and other financial assistance;
(c) receiving and expending funds in the performance of its duties in the administration of the Equine Industry Development Fund;
and (11)(10) to do such other things as may be necessary to perform the duties prescribed in this chapter adopt rules and policies to ensure that an ADW licensee only allows individuals to place pari-mutuel wagers who are physically present within the confines of the horse racing event.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-140(B) and inserting:
(B) An ADW license shall be for one year, subject to renewal for an additional year.
An applicant's initial application shall be accompanied by a five-thousand-dollar fee.
Renewal applications shall be accompanied by a one-thousand-dollar fee.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-140(D), (E), and (F) and inserting:
(D) On a monthly basis, a license fee of one percent of all wagers made within this State placed through an advance deposit wagering licensee shall be paid to the commission, and an additional annual fee of five percent of all wagers made within this State placed through an advance deposit wagering licensee shall be paid to the Equine Industry Development Fund.
(E)(D) The commission shall thoroughly examine each applicant's background.
The commission's examination shall include a fingerprint-based background check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division to determine whether the applicant has a criminal history in this State and a fingerprint-based background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether the person has other criminal history.
The commission applicant shall bear the cost of the examination, including the fingerprint-based background checks.
(F)(E) Upon obtaining the results of the fingerprint-based background check, the commission has thirty days to approve or deny the ADW application.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 11-61-170(A) and inserting:
(A) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the Equine Industry Development Fund.
This fund is separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds.
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The fund shall consist of fees collected pursuant to Section 11-61-140(D) less those amounts retained by the commission pursuant to Section 11-61-130(8) and donations, contributions, bequests, or other gifts.
The purpose of the fund is to provide grants to qualified recipients to finance the eligible costs of qualified projects, and to promote and improve the equine industry in the State through:
(1) the state's horse-breeding and horse residency incentive programs;
(2) the state's horse-training centers;
and (3) equine-related instruction including, but not limited to, veterinarians, equine business operations, youth development and mentoring conducted by academic institutions, and other organizations.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X.
Title 11, Chapter 61 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
Section 11-61-175.
(A)(1)An ADW licensee must maintain and make available to the commission, upon request, all advertising, marketing, and promotional materials developed by or on behalf of the ADW licensee by a supplier or vendor.
(2) A supplier or vendor that advertises, markets, or offers promotions on behalf of more than one ADW licensee or without affiliation to any ADW licensee shall maintain and make available to the commission, upon request, all advertising, marketing, and promotional materials related to sports betting in this State that it has developed.
(B)(1) An ADW licensee may not directly target sports betting advertisements or promotions to minors.
(2) All advertising, marketing, and promotional materials must include a responsible gaming message, which includes, at a minimum, the toll-free telephone number for the National Problem Gambling Helpline and an assistance and prevention message, except as otherwise permitted by the commission for certain mediums such as social media messages.
(3) An ADW licensee shall communicate the minimum legal age to participate on any website, mobile application, and other mediums or forms of advertising, marketing, and promotions, except as otherwise permitted by the commission for certain mediums such as social media messages.
(4) An ADW licensee shall comply strictly with all state and federal standards to neither make false or misleading claims nor create a suggestion that the probabilities of winning or losing with the ADW licensee's sports betting platform are different than those actually experienced.
Advertising, marketing, and promotional materials may not contain images, symbols, celebrity or entertainer endorsements, or language designed to appeal specifically to individuals younger than twenty-one years of age.
(5)Advertising, marketing, and promotional materials may not feature anyone who is or appears to be younger than twenty-one years of age.
(6) No ADW licensee may advertise in a media outlet, including social media, that appeals primarily to individuals younger than twenty-one years of age.
(7) Advertisements may not be placed with such intensity and frequency that they represent saturation of that medium or become excessive.
(8) Advertising, marketing, or promotional materials may not contain claims or representations that sports betting will guarantee an individual's social, financial, or personal success.
(9) Advertising, marketing, or promotional materials may not be placed before an audience where the majority of the participants is presumed to be younger than twenty-one years of age or that targets potentially vulnerable persons, including self-excluded bettors.
(10) Advertising, marketing, or promotional materials may not imply that chances of winning increase the more one participates in, or the more one spends on, sports betting.
(C)An ADW licensee, or a supplier or vendor acting on behalf of an ADW licensee, shall discontinue targeted advertising and marketing to a self-excluded individual's mobile device through direct messaging or text, email, or through other contact information collected by the ADW licensee, supplier, or vendor.
(D)(1) Advertising, marketing, or promotional materials may not be placed on any website or printed page or medium devoted primarily to responsible gaming.
(2) Advertising, marketing, or promotional materials shall neither contain nor imply lewd or indecent language, images, or actions.
(3) Advertising, marketing, and promotional materials shall reflect generally accepted contemporary standards of good taste.
(4) All direct advertising, marketing, and promotions via email or text message shall allow the option to unsubscribe.
(E) An ADW licensee shall respect user privacy and comply with all applicable legal privacy requirements, including those requiring governing consent.
(F) An ADW licensee shall provide the requirements of this section to advertising, marketing, and promotions personnel, contractors, agents, and agencies and shall require compliance.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
HARVEY PEELER for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE ADVANCEMENT ACT";
Section 11-61-130.
(a)(1) making grants to qualified recipients to finance the eligible costs of qualified projects;
(b)(2) entering into contracts or agreements related to providing grants and other financial assistance;
(c)(3) receiving and expending funds in the performance of its duties in the administration of the Equine Industry Development Fund;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on MarchFebruary 18,13, 20262025 at 05:1711:44 PMAM
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Action History
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Finance
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Referred to Committee on Finance
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Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Senator Michael Johnson · Primary
- Senator Russell L. Ott · Primary
- Senator Jeffrey R. Graham · Primary
- Senator Brian Adams · Primary
- Jr. Senator Harvey S. Peeler · Primary
- Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber · Primary
- Jr. Senator Tom Young · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →7 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 163 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (163)
163 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 163 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 344 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE ADVANCEMENT ACT"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 61 TO TITLE 11 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE COMMISSION AS A GRANT PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING, TO ESTABLISH THE POWERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EQUINE COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE EQUINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS RELATED TO HORSE RACING.
- Who sponsors S 344?
- S 344 is sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, Senator Russell L. Ott, Senator Jeffrey R. Graham, Senator Brian Adams, Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber, and Senator Tom Young, Jr..
- What is the current status of S 344?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 13, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track S 344?
- Track S 344 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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