A new bill aims to legalize South Carolina's first casino.
House Bill 4176, which is being called the "I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act," is sponsored by Chris Murphy, a Republican from Dorchester. He hopes it will have a substantial impact on Dillon, Marlboro, and Orangeburg counties.
His proposal includes forming a South Carolina gaming commission that would be responsible for awarding casino licenses and regulating the state’s gaming industry.
What Would the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act Change?
The proposed legislation would, among other things, create the South Carolina Gaming Commission.
This commission would grant casino licenses in rural and economically challenged areas along Interstate 95 (I-95).
The bill recognizes that casino gambling might not suit every community in South Carolina. However, it highlights the potential for job creation and economic growth in the regions targeted along I-95.
Already Talk of Building a Casino in South Carolina
The Santee Development Corporation has suggested building the state's first casino in Orangeburg County. They plan to use the abandoned Santee Mall Outlet site as the new casino location.
According to a report in the Rock Hill Herald, businessman Wallace Cheves wants to build a $1 billion casino in Santee, strategically located between Columbia and Charleston.
"It’s time to stop kicking the same can down the road and take a new approach—to think differently and with an open mind," the corporation said in a statement on the company’s website. "There’s a tangible, transformative and life-changing opportunity for one such area, Orangeburg County, and along the I-95 corridor staring us in the face, without one dime of taxpayer risk."
Cheves envisions a resort that would revitalize the local economy without the need for tax funding.
Murphy says he was already working on legalizing sports gaming when Cheves approached him for support on his casino plan. However, Murphy clarified that his bill does not favor Cheves or any other developer. The opportunity to bid for a casino is open to all, including the Catawba Nation.
The Catawba Indian Nation is South Carolina's only federally recognized tribe. They spent years trying to build a casino on their reservation in the northern part of the state but faced political opposition. Eventually, they got federal approval to build the Two Kings Casino just over the border in North Carolina. Cheves helped finance the project for joint ownership, but their partnership has since deteriorated.
The Catawba Nation’s Perspective
The Herald article points out that the Catawba Nation sees Cheves’s proposal as a direct challenge to their own efforts. Chief Brian Harris accuses Cheves of trying to forcibly introduce a casino in South Carolina while the Catawba face prolonged delays in launching their own. The tribe, with about 3,300 members, is currently developing a large, permanent casino in Kings Mountain and is expected to open its first phase soon.
Chief Harris highlights that the Catawba Nation has long been barred from running casino gaming in South Carolina despite being a federally recognized tribe. "We are pursuing a fairer settlement agreement that would permit casino gaming and thus boost economic opportunities for our people," Harris stated, emphasizing their commitment to reversing this longstanding injustice.
A temporary casino is now open at the North Carolina location in Kings Mountain, while a permanent casino is expected to open in early 2026.
Could the First Casino in South Carolina Become a Reality?
The ongoing debate surrounding the "I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act" presents opportunities and challenges in The Palmetto State.
While some see it as a catalyst for economic growth in underdeveloped areas, others view it as a potential disruption. Will this bill pave the way for economic revitalization, or will it face hurdles from existing stakeholders? Only time will tell.
