Are we going to let those Hilton Head people get away with it?  Are we going to sit back while they bring in a large plush resort that includes a Cherokee Indian operated gambling casino…one that would be fabulously successful.

Word about the proposed development hit the news last week and all the stories about it did add a codicil…that Governor Nikki Haley

would have the final word under federal law, namely, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, but indications up to this point are that she will say no. 

I was one of the loudest critics of those mom and pop mini-black jack parlors that grew like mushrooms around here a few years ago because they were ripping off vulnerable people who couldn’t afford to lose. Those who were really winning were the organized machine operators, not the people of South Carolina. Still, I supported proposed legislation that would have allowed the voters to decide the issue, but as so often happens around here, the State Supreme Court stepped in and fouled that idea.  

This time there is a lot of support among both the residents and businesses in the area of Jasper County, where such a complex would be built. They’re going to lobby the Governor long and hard, hoping she will recognize the immense economic boost this would bring. Things like an estimated 4 thousand jobs that would be created there and all the peripheral businesses that would be developed. 

Let’s face it. People love to gamble. In fact, we all gamble on everything from not running red lights to eating fast food every day. It’s in our nature and for that reason casino betting must be closely monitored and the operators made to funnel the house winnings to where they will do the most good.  We have a much better environment here in Myrtle Beach for such a resort but it’s sort of like leading a horse to water, and it won’t drink.  It takes another horse from Hilton head to show up and start drinking all the water before the first horse decides to take a sip.  It happened with Sunday liquor sales and the lottery…so maybe it’s going to be déjà vu all over again on this one.