A Republican legislator in South Carolina has once again filed a bill that would legalize casinos in some of the state’s more impoverished or economically disadvantaged counties.
The I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act would establish a state gaming commission that could award licenses for new casinos. State Rep. Bruce Bannister (R), who chairs the state’s House Ways and Means Committee, is also including an amendment that earmarks 35% of the state’s gaming revenue for the South Carolina Conservation Bank, which protects forests and farmland from development.
“Most of the members are sort of lukewarm, but if it helps something they care about, like conservation, they would be more favorable,’’ Bannister told The Columbia State.
Economic Development For Impoverished Areas
A similar effort in 2025 didn’t find traction in the General Assembly. South Carolina prohibits most forms of gambling, but developers in the city of Santee have expressed interest in bringing a casino to the area.
The city has a population of about 1,000 and is considered one of the state’s most underdeveloped, impoverished regions. Santee is located in Orangeburg County, about two hours east of Augusta, GA.
The company behind the effort, the Santee Development Corp., believes the state could see $100 million in annual revenue from a casino.
Opposition Remains
Bannister hopes the addition of preserving land in the state might bring some over to his side. However, legalizing gambling in the state still faces strong opposition.
Many in Bannister’s Republican Party are dead set against gambling. Religious leaders have also expressed opposition.
“This is not a fiscal issue, this is a moral issue,” Palmetto Family Council President Steve Pettit said. “Scripture warns against unjust gain.”
Members of the Faith Wins nonprofit group also recently urged its 175 pastors from 11 denominations to work against gambling in the state.
“Christians will not stand for policies that exploit communities and weaken families,” the group said. “When people of faith unite to stand for their communities and speak truth with conviction, faith wins.”
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has favored land conservation but reportedly has reservations about the bill. The Catawba Tribe also opposes the plan, even though it has attempted to build a casino along I-95. Those efforts have been rejected by the state in the past.
In related news, South Carolina Gambling Recovery LLC recently filed a federal lawsuit against prediction market firms Kalshi and Robinhood. The group argues the platforms offer illegal gambling in the state.
