summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
Crossed Over
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 16-19-5 So As To Provide That A Person Who Pays A Fee To Play A Game In Which Skill Predominates Over Chance And Receives A Prize Proportionate To How Skillfully He Played Is Not Gambling.
AI Summary
This bill amends South Carolina law to clarify what constitutes gambling by establishing that certain skill-based competitions are not considered gambling. Specifically, the bill defines a legal activity as one where a participant pays a fee to enter a game or event where skill clearly outweighs chance, and receives a prize proportional to their performance. The bill provides examples of such skill-based events, including PGA tournaments, NASCAR races, fishing tournaments, tennis competitions, and turkey shoots. However, the bill explicitly states that card-based games, even those with a predominant skill element, remain potentially illegal if any element of randomness (such as a card turn or dice roll) can significantly influence the outcome. The legislation would take effect immediately upon the Governor's approval, and it aims to create a clearer legal distinction between gambling and skill-based competitive events by focusing on the degree of skill versus chance in determining the winner and prize.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (17)
Gary Brewer (R)*,
Lucas Atkinson (D),
Justin Bamberg (D),
Case Brittain (R),
Brandon Cox (R),
Val Guest (R),
Brandon Guffey (R),
Tom Hartnett (R),
Jackie Hayes (D),
Jason Luck (D),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Fawn Pedalino (R),
Robby Robbins (R),
Heath Sessions (R),
Mark Smith (R),
Leon Stavrinakis (D),
James Teeple (R),
Last Action
Senate Full Judiciary Committee on 631, 694, 723, 751, 3556, 3557, 4129 (03:00:00 2/17/2026 Gressette Room 105) (on 02/17/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4129&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4129_20250508.htm |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4129_20250507.htm |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4129_20250501.htm |
| Fiscal Note - H4129 2025-03-05 Introduced | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/fiscalimpactstatements/H4129%202025-03-05%20introduced.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4129_20250305.htm |
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