Over in the Palmetto State, the state of legalized gambling in the region is on uncertain terms after some recent legislative updates. Per a recent article, legislation to authorize commercial casinos in South Carolina is “dead” for 2026. Additionally, for anyone who has been keeping tabs on gambling pushes in the Palmetto State, this comes as little surprise. In late January, House Bill 4176, a moderately partisan bill backed by 16 Democrats to just three Republicans, was recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee. After advancing out of the committee last year, the gambling bill, which seeks to authorize a Las Vegas-like casino along a rural part of Interstate 95, was recommitted by Committee Chair Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville). Bannister even amended the gaming bill to require that a considerable portion of the casino taxes go to conservation efforts; however, South Carolina Governor McMaster was not won over.
In this article, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming out of South Carolina, along with a variety of other notes and information coming out of the region and beyond.
Per the same article, conservation efforts have been a pillar of Gov. McMaster’s (R) governorship, but McMaster has been steadfast in opposing casinos since he took office in 2017. That position has not changed. “I have always opposed gambling,” the governor was quoted as saying. “I think the majority of the people in the state do not want casino gambling, and I don’t either.” Bannister conceded that even with the conservation amendment to HB4176, McMaster had informed the Ways and Means Committee chair that he would veto the legislation. The governor’s stern opposition will likely result in the casino bill being shelved. McMaster’s ongoing opposition led state Rep. Gil Gatch (R-Summerville) to remove his name from the gaming bill.
Additionally, the article notes, McMaster, then the lieutenant governor, became governor in 2017 upon Nikki Haley’s resignation to become United States ambassador to the United Nations. He was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022 to full four-year terms, making him the state’s longest-serving governor in history. Bannister believes there is a pathway to bringing casinos to South Carolina, but that path remains impenetrable until at least January 2027, when McMaster’s term-limited governorship ends. “There’s a pathway that could be successful at the end of the day,” Bannister told a local outlet. “But I don’t see that pathway right now based on the current circumstances.”
Located in the Bible Belt, pushes to expand gambling in South Carolina are met with strong opposition from religious organizations, the same report notes. For instance, last April, a group of Christian leaders and pastors gathered at the South Carolina State House to voice their opposition to casinos. “We prayed together, spoke with lawmakers, and held a press conference – bringing light to issues that affect every family in South Carolina,” Chad Connelly, founder and CEO of Faith Wins, said. “These included moral concerns such as the potential legalization of casino gambling and the responsibility we have to protect our communities from harm.”
“Saying ‘no’ to casinos in South Carolina was one of our major legislative initiatives this year,” Steve Pettitt, president of the evangelical conservative Palmetto Family Alliance, said in a statement. “I am thankful to the thousands of South Carolinians who contacted their representatives to urge a ‘no’ vote on casinos.”
Noted in another report, a similar effort in 2025 did not find traction in the General Assembly. Developers in the city of Santee had expressed interest in bringing a casino to the area. About 1,000 residents call Santee home. Furthermore, the town is considered one of the state’s most impoverished regions. Moreover, the article notes, the company behind the effort, the Santee Development Corp., believed the state could see $100 million in annual revenue from a casino. However, the bill never gained traction.
Also, in somewhat related news, South Carolina Gambling Recovery LLC recently filed a federal lawsuit against prediction market firms Kalshi and Robinhood. The group argues that the platforms offer illegal gambling in the state. Indeed, with so many new “prediction markets” popping up across the country, it is interesting to see how this new lawsuit will develop in South Carolina with these two outlets. Of course, operating in such a gaming grey area does give them a lot of leash, but it is uncertain how long this kind of freedom will last, with no doubt more gaming restrictions and legislation on the way. As always, time will tell.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling news and notes coming from South Carolina, make sure to check out the excellent array of updates coming from SBS. Of course, for even more information on the region, the sports betting in South Carolina guide is a must-read page that goes over a wide array of updates coming from the state. Additionally, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is an excellent resource as well for qualified patrons who are looking for sportsbook options. Here you can learn more about all kinds of updates coming from the outlet, like the latest promotions and contests. Finally, for those on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a must-read page where qualified patrons can learn about the perks of mobile betting and more.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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