written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
10 Mar 2025
Journalist, Editorial Department
A bill is currently under discussion in South Carolina that could pave the way for a new casino in the city of Santee. Last year, House Bill 3353 (HB 3353) was preliminarily introduced to the House Judiciary Committee, proposing an expansion of gaming activities. If the bill is approved, it will be put to a vote among the residents of South Carolina. Should it pass, an ambitious $1 billion project (approximately ₽89.14 billion) is planned, which includes the construction of a new resort and casino.
The Santee Development Corporation will oversee the construction of the gaming complex. According to spokesperson Wallace Chaves, the project aims to "revitalize and transform an economically distressed region" of the state by creating a world-class resort and casino. The new gaming establishment is expected to welcome its first visitors in 2026 or 2027, with the site chosen being the former Santee Outlet Mall.
In addition to the estimated $1 billion construction costs, the project is projected to bring significant economic benefits. Chaves noted that since 2002, South Carolina's lottery revenues have totaled $8 billion (around ₽713.12 billion), serving as "an example of how regulated gaming can have a lasting positive impact on the state's future."
Chaves emphasized that the project could generate $8 billion (approximately ₽713.12 billion) in economic progress within the first ten years of the establishment's opening. Furthermore, it is expected to create thousands of well-paying jobs, boost tourism, and provide new opportunities in the region.
In related news, the Catawba Indian Nation in the U.S. has been granted permission to begin construction on a casino in Windsor.
