South Carolina Governor Candidates Split Three Ways on Casino Expansion

^{South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette led the first-round GOP primary. She believes the people of her state should vote on whether or not they want casinos. (Photo: Joshua Boucher / The State / TNS / Sipa USA)}

Neighboring states have been cashing in on casino revenue for years, but South Carolina has traditionally been an unlikely location for gambling expansion. With no commercial gaming and a current Gov. Henry McMaster who has pledged to veto any expansion bill, the Palmetto State's gambling future may depend on who wins the governor's mansion in November. 

But Gov. McMaster's term ends this fall, which could change the state's gambling expansion. The three candidates competing to replace him all have different ideas about whether gambling should expand in South Carolina.

Republicans Split on Casino Approach

The two remaining Republican candidates addressed the issue during a Tuesday night debate ahead of their June 23 runoff election.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was the leading candidate in the first-round GOP primary, capturing 28.9% of the vote. On Tuesday, she discussed the possible impact of bringing casinos to South Carolina after speaking with residents in all 46 counties. She suggested she would be willing to let voters consider casino legislation, as was the case with the South Carolina lottery, which was first approved in 2000.

“If a development came to South Carolina that was five stars, similar to the Greenbrier [in West Virginia], we should look at it and see what economic impact it plays in that area,” Evette said during the debate. “But before we make any decisions, it should be put on the ballot, and the people of South Carolina should be voting on it, because nobody should have to live with [an] industry in their backyards that they don’t want.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson, who finished a close second in the primary with 26.1%, of the vote, took a much harder stance against casinos in South Carolina – and against Evette’s answer, which he framed as dodging the question.

“I feel like, as the governor, you have to be honest with people, you have to tell people what you feel and not hide behind, ‘I’m going to give it to the people,’ Wilson said. “I tell folks all the time, I’d rather have your respect and your trust than your vote or your support.

Wilson added that he has "serious concerns about casinos in South Carolina" and has discussed the consequences of gambling expansion with both law enforcement and faith leaders in other states.

Johnson Brings Personal Experience to Casino Debate

Democratic candidates have also shared their views on gambling, including nominee and State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) during a debate before winning his primary.

In a June 3 debate, Johnson said that he suffered through a difficult childhood as his father suffered from a gambling addiction that left his family homeless and living out of motels. Despite that history,  he acknowledged that gambling is taking place nonetheless, often illegally, and that he could support the right bill to regulate gambling as governor.

“[A gambling bill would require] tremendous guard rails, things to protect against human trafficking and drugs and crime, the things that come up and down I-95,” Johnson said. “We have to make sure we’re protecting our citizens first before we start going out to look for a profit for corporate businesses.”

With three other candidates having drawn significant support during the GOP primary – including Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), who finished 5th – there are plenty of votes up for grabs in the runoff election. Casino support could be an issue throughout the gubernatorial campaign, as efforts to build a casino in Santee surfaced in the 2026 legislative session.

South Carolina voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor on Tuesday, Nov. 3.