Besides voting for candidates, 114,000 voters who took a Democratic ballot in the recent South Carolina primary voiced their opinion on two non-binding referendum questions about gambling. Democrats said the responses could help determine the party’s legislative agenda in upcoming sessions.
The questions were:
Do you believe each state—not Congress—should decide for itself whether to allow online gaming and determine how to regulate online gaming in their state?
72 percent of voters said yes.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation estimates more than $20 billion is required to fix South Carolina’s crumbling roads and bridges. Should gaming laws be modernized to fund the repairs instead of a tax increase?
75 percent of voters said yes.
Tyler Jones, spokesman for the South Carolina House Democratic Caucus, said, “It’s no secret that allowing casinos to operate in the Myrtle Beach area would create countless good jobs, bring in millions in new tax revenue and allow us to finally repair the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.” He stated the question on the ballot came from the caucus, members have not taken an official position on the issue.
State Rep. Mike Ryhal of Myrtle Beach said, “Obviously as a state we are looking at how to fund infrastructure. There’s lots of ideas out there and we’re going to need to look at them.” State Senator Greg Hembree, also of Myrtle Beach, said, “The devil’s in the details.” He said he could support casino gambling if “the numbers work. I think it could work in our area,” he said.
State Rep. James Smith said House Democrats will come up with a bill regarding casinos and infrastructure. “Obviously overwhelmingly supported in the Democratic primary, but I hear a lot from independents and Republicans who see that as something we ought to think about,” he said.
In order to allow casino gambling, a statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment would be required.
