\u201cAs a former state representative, I understand how the legislative process works, and as state treasurer, I have seen the need for additional revenue streams,\u201d Chellis said earlier this year. \u201cI\u2019m not in favor of increasing the tax burden on our citizens. It\u2019s time to be more creative.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Even though South Carolina has neither commercial nor tribal casinos, the state\u2019s biggest industry is tourism. Visitors spend more than $20 billion annually vacationing in the Palmetto State.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
One popular tourist area is Myrtle Beach and its 60-mile stretch known as The Grand Strand. It has many hotels and resorts, golf courses, entertainment attractions, and convention spaces.<\/p>\n
So, it is a likely spot for casinos, if they were permitted in the state. But the idea is divisive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have spent years and millions of dollars marketing our community, our beaches, as family-friendly, safe beaches,\u201d North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said at a recent PFGS meeting. \u201cCasinos would change the marketing completely. I don\u2019t know if the city of North Myrtle Beach is ready to go that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, South Carolina residents who want to gamble can risk going to illegal gaming venues. Or, they can take the Little River-docked Big M Casino boat that shuttles gamblers out to international waters, or travel to North Carolina\u2019s<\/a> tribal casinos.<\/p>\nA 2017 Winthrop Poll found that 68 percent of South Carolinians surveyed like the idea of legalizing casinos to fund the repair of state roads. Casino proponent state Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) called the findings \u201cearth-shattering.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
South Carolina police are continuing to look into a Sumter shooting which left one person dead and three others injured at a home which was allegedly being used for illegal gambling. Local police said there was an exchange of gunfire at the residence sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning.\u00a0The deceased person was identified by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":119378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
South Carolina Man Dies after Shootout at Illegal Gaming Operation<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n