Lawmakers in Columbia, South Carolina, will soon debate for and against casino development for the Santee area and the legislation that, if passed, will allow the state’s first casino.
While Santee is a strategic location for development in the state, the area is mostly made up of the retirement community and various religious groups that oppose casinos. Developers say the location would connect the Columbia and Charleston areas and benefit rural schools.
Rep. Jordan Pace told media sources that, according to a recent study, other states like New Jersey and Mississippi have not benefited from the added tax dollars as they had to spend more money on essential services such as police officers, addiction treatment, and prisons.
The new gambling bill proposes creating a State Gaming Commission to oversee the industry. The bill would also allow for more casino licenses to be awarded in underdeveloped areas of the state.
While many states have permitted casinos in underdeveloped areas to boost the local economy, critics claim the tax dollars don’t always outweigh the cost.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has already expressed his opposition to domestic casinos, saying that the state can find better ways to increase tax revenues.
Casinos Near South Carolina
Despite not having local casinos in the Palmetto State, many South Carolinians live within the driving range of domestic casinos in North Carolina. There are also some riverboat casinos that operate in the far eastern tip of the state. However, lawmakers have been hesitant to expand the local gambling landscape despite the growing interest in South Carolina online casinos and the fact that several casinos are just over the state line.
Native tribes offer class III gaming, including slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and more, at all the casinos in North Carolina.
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