South Carolina officials have started to consider a possible casino venue. The state has been missing on gambling revenues over previous years. With the formation of a new coalition, it will be determined whether the state is ready for casino construction.
The newly-formed Palmetto Forum for Gaming Studies (PFGS) consists of former Treasure and Assembly member, Converse Chellis, and chair of the group, Jim Rex. Chellis has already stated readiness to alternative methods of boosting the financial situation of the state:
“As a former state representative, I understand how the legislative process works, and as state treasurer, I have seen the need for additional revenue streams. I’m not in favor of increasing the tax burden on our citizens. It’s time to be more creative.”
Rex added:
“Like everybody else in the state, I’ve also been hitting potholes for the last 15 years and I’ve seen our infrastructure and road needs not be addressed. Most politicians don’t want to talk about raising taxes. So either we live with those inadequacies or we start getting creative about other ways to find other revenue streams.”
Current Situation
South Carolina is a conservative state which has not supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976. All decisions made in the Governor's house, Senate, House or Congressional delegation are under influence of Republicans.
Palmetto looks for support regarding a land-based casino opening in the state. Richland County representative, Todd Rutherford spoke on the gambling extension. He said:
“It will give South Carolina more revenue and, if positioned appropriately, won’t interfere with the family-friendly atmosphere that attracts millions of visitors each year“.
He added:
“We increased education spending 300 million dollars in the House budget last year. Some of that came from the lottery, but a lot of it came from general fund money. General fund money that needs to be spent on infrastructure, general fund money that needs to be spent on HIV/AIDS funding, and other needs that are out there that everybody would acknowledge that we have to spend money on. But again, it’s also about giving consumers a choice.”
Republicans are not ready to accept gambling activities. Another representative of Richland County, Kirkman Finlay, observed:
“We’re creating the ability for people to lose money in ways that they probably shouldn’t anyway. Generating tax dollars is not a moral imperative to do other things that you wouldn’t normally do.”
Source:
“New coalition to determine if South Carolina needs casino”, Erik Gibbs, calvinayre.com, July 25, 2019.
