Legislators in South Carolina are set to revisit the legalization of casinos following a breakthrough agreement on revenue distribution.
On January 14, House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister announced a plan that allocates casino proceeds to key state priorities, including conservation and veterans’ services. “The vast majority of members… all have issues that they really like to see a recurring source of revenue put towards,” Bannister explained, noting the deal could bring the bill back to the floor as early as this week.
Funding Conservation and Veterans
The proposed revenue structure would direct 35% of proceeds to the State Conservation Bank and 30% to the Veterans’ Trust Fund. The General Fund would receive 26%, while host counties and areas along the I-95 corridor, a likely target for development, would split the remainder.
Developer Wallace Cheves, whose Santee Development Corporation is eyeing a project in Orangeburg County, supports the plan. His spokesperson, Ryan Brown, called the agreement a “smart way to use casino revenues”.
Significant Hurdles Remain
Despite the House agreement, the path to legalization of casinos in South Carolina is steep. Governor Henry McMaster remains a staunch opponent, with his office stating, “The governor’s position on gambling has not changed… He opposes casino gambling and will continue to do so”. Religious leaders are also mobilizing against the measure. A group of 200 pastors recently protested at the statehouse, warning of social costs like addiction.
Matt Suttle, a local pastor, argued, “We want to tell people that we’re not for sale, and that our community is worth investing in good things, not things with the potential to do harm”.
