SC Gambling Debate Heats Up With Casino and Horse Betting Proposals
So, there’s been a lot of buzz lately at the South Carolina State House, and it’s all about something that’s been a hot-button issue for years — gambling. Right now, if you're living in South Carolina and you want to legally gamble, your only real option is the lottery. That’s it. No slot machines, no casinos, no legal sports betting. People literally have to cross state lines to get their fix, and that’s got some folks wondering — why not keep that money right here in the Palmetto State?
Well, for the first time in a while, gambling expansion is getting some serious attention at the State House. And leading the charge is a bold proposal to build what could be South Carolina’s very first casino. Wallace Cheves, a developer and native South Carolinian, is eyeing a 40-acre property in Santee, Orangeburg County — right off I-95 — to build a $1 billion resort that includes a casino, hotel, and potentially even a convention center. He’s not asking for government incentives and says the project would bring much-needed jobs and economic boost to the area.
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But here’s the thing — building a casino in South Carolina isn’t just a matter of construction. The state’s laws currently don’t allow it, so legislation needs to change first. A bipartisan bill in the House proposes creating a gaming commission that would have the power to license casinos, specifically in counties with high unemployment and low incomes — like Orangeburg.
At the same time, there’s a separate, more narrowly focused bill making the rounds in the Senate. It’s aimed at legalizing betting — but only on live horse racing, and only through approved online apps. Senator Michael Johnson, who’s sponsoring the bill, emphasizes that this is all about supporting South Carolina’s horse industry, not opening the floodgates to full-scale gambling.
Still, even with all the talk, these proposals face some serious hurdles — the biggest one being Governor Henry McMaster. He’s been a consistent opponent of gambling and made it crystal clear that he doesn’t think this is the right path for South Carolina. In his words, gambling isn’t part of our culture or heritage, and there are “better ways” to boost the economy and create jobs.
Unless the General Assembly can gather enough votes to override a veto — two-thirds in both the House and Senate — these bills may not see the light of day. Right now, the horse betting bill is still stuck in a Senate subcommittee, and the casino bill hasn’t even had its first official hearing.
So while the conversation is heating up, and support for change is growing, we’re still a long way from seeing any jackpots roll through South Carolina. But make no mistake — the debate is very much alive, and the stakes are only getting higher.
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