South Carolina Casino Legislation Fields Fiery Public Input

Posted on: April 23, 2025, 08:31h. 

Last updated on: April 23, 2025, 09:40h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

• South Carolina lawmakers are reviewing legislation to allow commercial casinos
• The public is divided on whether casinos would help or hurt local communities
• The long-closed Santee Outlets site is targeted for a casino

Legislation to allow commercial casinos in South Carolina was considered by the state House of Representatives Ways and Means Revenue Policy Subcommittee on Tuesday. The review garnered stern public opinions.

House Bill 4176, filed in March by a group of bipartisan lawmakers, seeks to allow commercial casinos in certain counties that contain a section of Interstate 95 and where county governments have passed ordinances in support of slot machines and table games.

The gaming bill before the Ways and Means Subcommittee would create the South Carolina Gaming Commission and task it with considering and issuing casino licenses. Another bill, House Bill 3625, would add sports betting as a permissible form of gambling.

Public Discourse

The House Subcommittee heard hours of public testimony on why they should and shouldn’t move the gaming bills forward.

Supporters argued that casinos along I-95 would provide a much-needed economic spark to the many communities near the north-south interstate corridor. Thousands of new jobs and millions in new tax revenue, the latter of which could help lift downtrodden areas, they said.

We can eradicate a whole lot of poverty by allowing this casino to come to Santee. Give hope, where there’s a lot of people who’ve been in despair,” said Orangeburg resident Hayes Gainey.

Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce President James McQuilla also thinks a casino would be a win for the county.

The schools will benefit; your local economy and restaurants will benefit. Whenever you have jobs that are there for local individuals, then you’re going to see a decrease in crime,” McQuilla opined. “It could be a destination — not just a drop-off.”

Cheves pledged, if allowed, that he would build a casino resort in “a locally tasteful way.”

There was, of course, much opposition, too.

[Casinos] are systems that feed on desperation. They promise hope, but they deliver harm. They’re built to profit from loss and disguise addiction as opportunity,” declared local Steve Pettit.  

Opponents also cited their religious convictions.

“You are the shepherds of this state. We pray you will do everything that is good, just, and right for our state,” said a local who remained anonymous.

Bill Acknowledges Gaming Doesn’t Align 

The authors of HB4176 acknowledge that casino gambling, on its face, doesn’t vibe with South Carolina’s traditions. However, they contend that allowing slots and table games, as well as possibly sports betting, could better the Palmetto State.

The General Assembly finds that casino gaming is not consistent with nor compatible with the economic, labor, or tourism industry profile for most communities in South Carolina. However, the General Assembly recognizes and further finds that certain counties along Interstate 95 represent rural and impoverished school districts. The General Assembly further finds that casino gaming in these counties is consistent and compatible with their economic, labor, and tourism profiles and that revenue, job creation, and economic improvement from such gaming would substantially enhance the educational opportunities of children living in these areas,” HB4176 begins.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has pledged to veto any gaming legislation that reaches his desk. To override the governor, a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the General Assembly is needed.