New Bill Could Bring Casinos to South Carolina

If a new bill in South Carolina passes, the state will have its first-ever casinos open. 

The bill, the “I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act” (or House Bill 4176), would, among other things, establish the South Carolina Gaming Commission and allow casinos in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. 

More Information About the Bill

As mentioned, the casinos will be built in specific areas, including along Interstate 95. More specifically, they will be in Orangeburg, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. 

The bill contains language discussing that casino gambling may not be ideal for other areas of the state but that the boon to the local economies would be advantageous. 

In examining the bill, there have been three pieces of news since March 6.

The bill was read and heard for the first time on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Ways and Means Committee that same day. 

Five days later, on March 11, two state representatives, Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Justin Bamberg, asked to be included as bill co-sponsors. 

“You would draw a lot of people that right now don’t have economic opportunities, don’t have job opportunities in their own counties, but it would be a central point for them,” said the bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Chris Murphy (R-98th) to a local news affiliate. “I have all the confidence in the world that this would be a game changer for this area.”

This comes after House Bill 3353, introduced by Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Rochland) and Rep. Hamilton Grant (D-Richmond) in December 2024, would've legalized slot machines, live dealer games, table games, sports betting, and parimutuel betting.

However, the bill hasn't had much traction since then. 

Santee Development Group Makes Proposal

A development company, Santee Development Group, has proposed a project for where the first casino could open. 

Per their plans, the casino would take over the area that the abandoned Santee Mall Outlet currently holds in Orangeburg. 

According to Santee Development Group, the casino would help in a number of ways, including the following: 

• Tax revenue of about $75 million
• Upward of four million annual visitors, with most coming from out-of-state
• Help local businesses and further boost the local economy
• 2,900+ direct jobs, 800+ indirect jobs, and about 880 induced jobs
• Jobs for 6,300 workers, $400 million in labor income, and about $1 billion in spending during the initial construction phase of the casino