South Carolina's Casino Future Hangs in the Balance of Gubernatorial Primary

The future of casino expansion in South Carolina is closely tied to the outcome of the upcoming gubernatorial primary elections. The winner of this race will significantly influence the legalization of gambling in the state.

Democrat Billy Webster supports legalizing a single casino to boost the economy of a disadvantaged area. He believes this could provide an economic lifeline to the region, provided there are potential benefits for the county and state, and the necessary infrastructure to handle the influx of visitors.

Democrat Mullins McLeod shares concerns with some Republican candidates, arguing that casinos bring crime and other social ills. Similarly, Democrat Jermaine Johnson believes the issue should be decided by a ballot initiative, letting voters determine the future of gambling in the state. Republican Ralph Norman is firmly against casinos, citing concerns about child trafficking and sex trafficking. Republican Nancy Mace is open to letting voters decide through a referendum, noting that online gambling is already happening on prediction markets and offshore platforms. Republican Josh Kimbrell was open to some forms of gambling but opposed online gaming.