South Carolina Businessman Seeks Approval for Casino
A businessman from South Carolina is seeking approval to develop a $1 billion resort and casino near the city of Santee, a project that would require legislative support to move forward. Under the state's current gambling laws, only the state lottery, bingo, and offshore casino boats are permitted, meaning that the General Assembly would need to approve changes for the proposed development to become a reality.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the The Times and Democrat, the developer, Wallace Cheves of the Santee Development Corporation, has emphasized that the project would rely entirely on private investment. He has stated that no local or state funding would be requested for incentives, infrastructure, or subsidies if the General Assembly approves the necessary legislation and if local support is secured.
Related: Horse Race Gambling Finally Approved in South CarolinaCheves has positioned the project as a significant economic opportunity for the region, which he describes as economically challenged. He believes that a destination resort and casino could revitalize the area and create substantial economic benefits.
According to Cheves, independent economic analyses estimate that the project could contribute approximately $8 billion to South Carolina's economy within the first decade. The casino and resort would generate thousands of jobs, increase tourism, and expand business opportunities for local communities. He also pointed to the South Carolina Education Lottery as an example of how regulated gaming can provide lasting economic benefits, noting that it has generated over $8 billion for education since 2002.
The proposed casino project has already been discussed at local government meetings. At one meeting of the Vance Town Council, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Bush explained that the resort and casino were expected to open in 2026 or 2027 at the former Santee Outlet Mall. The property, which had been purchased by Martin Marietta Materials Real Estate Investments in 2017 for $385,000, was later sold for $2.5 million in 2022 to Santee Outlet Mall LLC, a Greenville-based entity.
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Proposal Finds Local Support
Vance Mayor Michael Aiken has confirmed the purchase of the mall property and has stated that he plans to meet with Cheves in the coming week to gather more information. He noted that both he and Bush previously met with Cheves while he was visiting nearby towns to assess potential sites.
Aiken expressed a need for further clarification on the details of the proposed development. Santee Mayor Donnie Hilliard also confirmed that he has a scheduled meeting with Cheves on March 10 to discuss the project.
Efforts to expand gambling in South Carolina have been ongoing for years, with several bills introduced at the state level, but none have been enacted. The latest legislative effort, House Bill 3353, was prefiled on December 5, 2024, by Representatives Todd Rutherford and Hamilton Grant, both from Richland County. The bill is currently under review in the House Judiciary Committee.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the South Carolina Constitution to allow various forms of gambling, including pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, sports betting on professional sports, and casino activities such as card and dice games that involve player skill. Additionally, it would legalize electronic gaming devices and gaming tables for games of chance. The bill also stipulates that revenue from casino operations would be directed toward highway, road, and bridge maintenance, construction, and repair.
The bill further proposes that individuals holding public office would be permitted to participate in gambling activities without the risk of removal from office due to gambling-related offenses. If lawmakers approve the measure, the amendment would then require voter approval in a referendum before it could be implemented.
This is not the first attempt to bring gambling to the Santee area. More than two decades ago, the Catawba Indian Nation sought permission to establish a high-stakes electronic bingo hall at the same location. That effort was ultimately unsuccessful. At the time, some local residents expressed concerns that the bingo hall could evolve into a full-scale casino and divert revenue from the state-run lottery.
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