Groups pen letter opposing gambling bills to be considered in S.C.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Several religious organizations, including the Catholic Diocese of Charleston and the South Carolina Baptist Convention, released a t letter opposing gambling bills in the Palmetto State.
State leaders are discussing a bill that could potentially legalize gambling on horse racing and a sports betting bill with the potential development of a casino in Orangeburg County.
The organizations say in the letter they are concerned about gambling addiction and the risk legalized gambling could pose for South Carolina families. It goes on to raise concerns over the placement of the proposed casinos in economically depressed counties in the state claiming those who live in poorer areas are more likely to fall into gambling addiction.
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Palmetto Family Director of Communications Justin Hall says that these concerns far outweigh what could come from tax revenue.
“What you could see in an increase in state tax revenue, you’re also going to be paying more for public safety,” Hall says. “You’re also going to be paying more in trying to cancel out or close out some debts. Anything we think would be a positive, that the vast majority of folks think would be a positive, is going to be offset by these rising peripheral costs or some bottom line costs.”
Gov. Henry McMaster has been a long-time opponent of gambling in South Carolina, saying last week that gambling is “bad for our culture” and, “There are better ways to make money.”
The hotel and casino proposed project could generate thousands of jobs and millions in revenue.
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But in order to get a casino approved, House Bill 4176 would create a South Carolina Gaming Commission, which would deal out licenses and regulate gambling in the state.
However, the bill only allows casinos to be built in very specific areas along Interstate 95 that meet certain economic guidelines, those that are underdeveloped and considered low-income.
Dubbed the “I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act,” the bill is designed to bring economic development to these areas to help pay for underfunded schools.
But it has received mixed reaction from those in the community and at the State House.
The horse betting bill, its S.344, is still in a Senate Finance Subcommittee and the casino bill has not had its first hearing in the House.
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