South Carolina Casino Bill Making Incremental Progress

South Carolina legislators look to be reviving a bill that could bring brick-and-mortar casino gaming to the Palmetto State.

H 4716 failed to advance from the Ways and Means Committee last year in the House, though it was reported as favorable to the majority with amendments. According to the Post and Courier, the bill has a chance to be brought up again, with Ways and Means Committee Chair and Rep. Bruce Bannister planning to propose a new revenue distribution that could satisfy stakeholders.

It is uncertain if the bill could progress beyond the lower chamber. Additionally, Gov. Henry McMaster has been a long-time opponent of casino gaming.

Bannister’s math benefits I-95 corridor

Bannister’s proposed breakdown for gaming revenue is as follows:

• 35% to the state conversation bank, of which 50% would be earmarked to preserve existing farmlands
• 30% to the Veterans’ Trust Fund
• 26% to the state General Fund
• 5% to the host county of a casino
• 4% to eligible counties along the Interstate 95 corridor, where casinos would likely be built.

The well-traversed interstate is a vital part of South Carolina’s economy, and McMaster has proposed $1.1 billion in spending to improve the state’s roads and highways. Bannister told South Carolina Public Radio the governor would likely not get all that funding, expecting the final figure to be closer to $500 million.

The Santee area in upstate near Orangeburg County has long been considered a likely site. Casino developer and legislation proponent Wallace Cheves presented plans last year to build a $1 billion venue at the former site of the Santee Outlet Mall.

Cheves had at one point teamed with the Catawba Indian Nation in hopes of building the casino in South Carolina, but the relationship between the two sides deteriorated last year and contributed to the tribe’s opening Two Kings Casino across the state line in North Carolina.