Plans to allow a casino in South Carolina have hit a major setback after state lawmakers sent a key gambling bill back to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The bill, which would have permitted a casino and resort development in Orangeburg County, will now remain in committee instead of receiving a vote on the House floor.
The State Senate and the governor’s office presented serious obstacles to the legislation, even if it had made progress in the House. Senate leadership has shown little interest in expanding gambling beyond the existing state lottery, and Governor Henry McMaster remains firmly opposed to casino gambling in the state.
Conservation Amendment and Governor’s Opposition
To appeal to lawmakers who place a high priority on land and environmental protection, House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister of Greenville had planned to introduce an amendment mandating that 35% of casino revenue be allocated to conservation projects.
The draft amendment, a portion of the estimated $100m in tax revenue that the proposed casino and resort project would bring in each year, would go toward conservation.
Bannister said there had been an expectation that the governor might soften his stance. He stated: “One of the things that was anticipated was that the governor may be moderating his resistance to the bill. He has come out and said that he would veto it under its current form, even with the amendment that we talked about.”
However, he stated that he would veto the bill in its current state, regardless of the conservation funding amendment. “If the governor’s position doesn’t change, that bill will not move to the Senate.”
Governor McMaster has reaffirmed his opposition to using gambling as a way to raise money and his belief that the majority of South Carolinians are against casino gambling.
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey has likewise highlighted long-standing resistance to gambling expansion in the Senate. He said: “We’ve had considerable opposition over here even to wagering on horse racing, whereas the house has kind of sailed through over there.”
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